24.07.15
First Gatwick Express Class 387-2 car undergoing testing
The first carriage of one of the 27 new Gatwick Express trains is undergoing static testing at Bombardier’s Derby plant.
The Class 387/2 Electrostar EMU cars were bought by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) in November last year as part of a £145.2m order for 108 new customised train carriages.
They will replace the five-car fleet of 1980s Class 442 EMUs that have been operating in the route since 2008, but have never been considered ideal stock to run an airport rail link.
The 27 four-car EMUs are due to enter service between London Victoria station and Gatwick airport in 2016.
They are based on the Class 387/1 trains ordered for use on Thameslink services between Bedford and Brighton, but have been specially designed to better serve passengers going to and from the airport. Carriages will include additional luggage space, ‘easier boarding’, two-by-two seating, power points at every seat, wi-fi and facilities for people with disabilities.
Passengers travelling from Brighton will also benefit from the upgrade during off-peak times, during which some of the trains will be extended there while still operating between Victoria and Gatwick.
Angie Doll, the new passenger service director for Gatwick Express, called the news a “key milestone in the journey to brand new trains” for the airport.
Bombardier’s project director, Alan Fravolini, said: “These new trains for Gatwick Express demonstrate how our Electrostar product has the flexibility to meet wide-ranging requirements from train operators, including airport services.
“We’re delighted to be supplying these new trains in support of GTR’s investment programme.”