South Eastern Trains

South Eastern Trains
Class 375 Electrostar at New Cross in 2006
Overview
Franchise(s)South Eastern
9 November 2003 – 31 March 2006
Main region(s)Greater London, Kent
Other region(s)East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey
Fleet sizeapproximately 350
Stations called at178
National Rail abbreviationSE
PredecessorConnex South Eastern
SuccessorSoutheastern
Parent companyStrategic Rail Authority (publicly owned)
Websitehttp://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk

South Eastern Trains was a train operating company that operated the South Eastern Passenger Rail Franchise from November 2003[1] to 1 April 2006.[2]

It took over from Connex South Eastern in November 2003[1][2] and was taken over by Southeastern in April 2006.[2]

Services

Main lines

From London termini (London Victoria, London Bridge, London Charing Cross, London Blackfriars and London Cannon Street) trains ran to the following areas:

  • North Kent Line – services via Dartford to Gillingham
  • Chatham Main Line – services to the Kent Coast via Bromley South and Chatham, dividing at Faversham to Ramsgate and Dover
  • Swanley to Ashford (via Maidstone East) Line
  • South Eastern Main Line – services the Kent Coast via Ashford and Sevenoaks
  • Hastings Line (Hastings via Tunbridge Wells)
  • London Bridge to Tunbridge Wells (via East Croydon and Redhill) – uses part of the Brighton Main Line
  • Horsham to Tunbridge Wells (via Gatwick and Redhill) – uses part of the Brighton Main Line

Suburban lines

The suburban services (called ‘Metro’ in the South East Trains timetables) ran to:

  • Sevenoaks: two services – one via Grove Park, and one via Bromley South
  • Hayes line
  • Mid-Kent Line
  • Orpington via Lewisham and via Bromley South
  • Swanley
  • Dartford via: North Kent Line; the Bexleyheath Line and the Dartford Loop Line.
  • Bromley North Line

Rural lines

Rolling stock

South Eastern Trains took on a fleet of Class 365s, Class 375s, Class 411s, Class 421s, Class 423s, Class 465s and Class 466s from Connex South Eastern.

South Eastern Trains added the remaining Class 375s into service and all of the Class 376s too.

All Class 411, Class 421 and Class 423s were withdrawn and scrapped in October 2005,[3] the Class 365s were sent to West Anglia Great Northern in 2004.[4]

South Eastern Trains rolling stock was maintained at Ashford and Ramsgate depots.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Clark, Andrew (28 June 2003). "Incompetence costs Connex its franchise". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Department for Transport announces integrated Kent franchise" (Press release). Department for Transport. 30 November 2005. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  3. "Last journey for slam-door train". BBC News. 7 October 2005. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  4. Southern Railway E-Group (17 May 2004). "Class 365".

Other websites

Media related to South Eastern Trains at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Connex South Eastern
Operator of South Eastern franchise
2003 - 2006
Succeeded by
Southeastern (Govia)
Integrated Kent franchise