The first of 27 new Electrostar trains for Gatwick Express will go into service at the end of this month, operator GTR has announced.
On February 29, the first new Electrostar unit will begin revenue service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, allowing GTR to start phasing out of the current Class 442 fleet.
In total, GTR, which took over the airport link service last year, has procured 108 new carriages.
Gatwick Express’ passenger services director, Angie Doll, said: “We’re really excited about the news that the first new Gatwick Express train will be landing at Gatwick Airport station at the end of this month.
“The new fleet will replace 30-year old trains which are not designed for today’s airport passenger, and our new trains will transform the travelling experience with double doors for easier boarding and alighting, power points for laptops and chargers, Wi-Fi, more luggage space and improved reliability.
“From this summer, we’ll be introducing a raft of further exciting improvements to the overall Gatwick express journey.”
Actually, it’s gone into service today!
387201 is working between Bedford and Brighton.
Sounds good. After doing some test runs. It’s now being hired to be used with Thameslink before the rest of the Class 387/2’s are to be delivered and to be on passenger duties and the Class 442’s are soon to be scrapped or to be converted.
Converted to what? First isn’t interested in having them.
I don’t what you are on about.
I think he is asking to what the Class 442s might be converted.
Well to be fair I have heard from some rumours claiming that the Class 442’s are either to be scrapped entirely or to be converted into DEMU trains or to have a pantograph fitted for newly electrified routes with 25kv AC overhead in Northern England and to be reclassified as Class 342’s with the rest of the 27 Class 387/2’s to be operated on London Victoria-Gatwick Airport route operated by GTR Gatwick Express.
Blimey. So Gatwick Express Class 387/2’s should start service at the end of February with Thameslink’s Class 700’s to start service in March.