The first fully refurbished Class 376 train has returned to passenger service, marking a major step forward in South Eastern Railway’s drive to improve comfort and reliability across its busy Metro routes in south east London and north Kent.

The transformation is part of a significant mid-life overhaul of all 36 Class 376 units, which were first introduced in 2004. Delivered in partnership with Alstom and Eversholt Rail, the programme includes extensive interior and exterior upgrades. Once complete, the project will have added 11,000 refurbished seats, more than 4,000 power sockets, and approximately 29,000 new panels, grab poles, trims, and protective cappings across the fleet.

Refurbishment work is taking place at the Grove Park Centre of Excellence, with fully upgraded trains scheduled to enter service regularly throughout 2026 and 2027. Passengers can expect a more modern and comfortable environment, featuring refreshed seating, energy-efficient LED lighting, and at-seat power and USB charging across the train. Each unit is also being repainted in a smart blue livery to complement the interior upgrades.

The fleet refresh also brings a significant boost to accessibility. Enhancements include brighter orange grab poles and priority seats for easier identification, improved anti-slip strips at doorways, and clearer colour-contrasted door buttons to support passengers with visual impairments.

Dan Paris, South Eastern Railway’s Fleet Maintenance Director, said:

“It’s great to be celebrating this milestone and we will be welcoming refreshed trains regularly throughout 2026 and into 2027. It’s just one part of our plan to deliver better journeys and it sits alongside our wider programme to improve our fleet, which includes the procurement of a newer, more accessible replacement Metro fleet that will be better for customers and taxpayers.”

Alstom Services Director Steve Harvey added:

“The first Class 376 refurbishment marks a major achievement in working with Southeastern and Eversholt Rail in delivering a more modern fleet for passengers across south east London and Kent. At-seat power, amongst the other interior improvements, should make a real difference to the customers and it’s great to see the first upgraded unit back in service.”

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, said:

“It is fantastic to see the first of our Class 376 trains in service following the second phase of the refurbishment programme. We are committed to upgrading our fleets to provide a much-improved passenger experience and encourage more people to travel by rail. We look forward to continuing to work with Southeastern and Alstom to support the ongoing work for the remainder of the fleet.”

Image: Southeastern