Networker (train) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Networker |
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| In service | 1989–present |
| Manufacturer |
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| Number built | 344 sets |
| Number scrapped | 40 sets |
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| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 75–100 mph (121–161 km/h) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The Networker is a group of trains that carry passengers on the UK railway system. These trains were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s by companies like British Rail Engineering Limited (which later became part of ABB) and Metro Cammell. They were made for a part of British Rail called Network SouthEast (NSE), which is where their name comes from. All Networker trains are "multiple-unit" trains, meaning they have their own engines and can be linked together to form longer trains.
Contents
History of Networker Trains
When Network SouthEast started in 1986, they announced the "Networker" family of trains. These new trains were a big part of NSE's plan to make their railway system more modern. They were meant to replace older types of trains, especially those with "slam-door" carriages, which were pulled by separate locomotives.
Unlike other trains built in Britain at the time, Networker trains used aluminium for their bodies. This made them lighter. The electric versions also had modern AC motors and air conditioning. The plan was for the Networker design to be used for all future trains needed by NSE. This included trains for new routes like the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. NSE wanted to order about 300 carriages each year.
The Networker was supposed to become one of the largest groups of trains ever built. However, because of an economic downturn in the early 1990s and the privatisation of British Rail starting in 1994, fewer trains were built. Around 340 trains were made, which was much less than first planned.
Different Types of Networker Trains
Diesel Networker Trains
Class 165: Outer Suburban Trains
The Class 165 is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train. It comes in two or three carriages. These trains were built for journeys on the outer parts of cities. Thirty-nine of these trains (Class 165/0) were made for Chiltern Railways between 1990 and 1991. Another thirty-seven (Class 165/1) were built for the Thames area in 1992.
After British Rail was privatised, Chiltern Railways continued to use the Class 165/0 trains. The Class 165/1 trains have been used by several companies, including Thames Trains and Great Western Railway.
Class 166: Faster Main Line Trains
The Class 166 is a quicker version of the Class 165. It has air conditioning and was built for main line journeys. Twenty-one of these trains, each with three carriages, were made for the Thames and North Downs areas in 1992 and 1993.
Electric Networker Trains
Classes 316 and 457: Research Trains
These numbers were given to a single four-carriage electric multiple unit (EMU) train. It was changed from older Class 210 carriages and used for testing new ideas. The train was called Class 457 for tests using 750 V direct current (DC) power from a third rail on lines in the south of England. Then, it was called Class 316 for tests using 25 kV alternating current (AC) power from overhead lines in the north. For these tests, one of its carriages was swapped with a Class 313 carriage that had a pantograph (the arm that collects power from overhead wires).
Class 365: Dual-Voltage Express Trains
The Class 365 was an EMU that could use two different types of electricity (dual-voltage). These trains were ordered in 1993. Forty-one trains, each with four carriages, were built between 1994 and 1995. The first sixteen could pick up power from a 750 V DC third rail for services between London and Kent. The other twenty-five had pantographs to collect 25 kV AC power from overhead lines. These were used on the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Peterborough and King's Lynn. After being used by different train companies, the Class 365 trains were taken out of service by Great Northern on May 15, 2021, and later scrapped.
Class 465: Four-Car Electric Units
The Class 465 is a four-carriage EMU. It gets its power from a 750 V DC third rail. Different versions were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (465/0), ABB (465/1), and Metro Cammell (465/2). These trains were first used by Network SouthEast. After privatisation, they were used by Connex South Eastern, South Eastern Trains, and Southeastern. They are currently operated by SE Trains.
Class 466: Two-Car Electric Units
The Class 466 is a two-carriage EMU. It also gets power from a 750 V DC third rail. These trains are often linked with the four-carriage Class 465s to make longer trains with six or ten carriages. Forty-three units were built between 1993 and 1994 by Metro Cammell. When newer Class 376 Electrostar trains arrived, some Class 466 units moved to smaller lines to run two-carriage shuttle services.
Networker Trains That Were Not Built
Class 171: Long Distance Diesel Plans
Class 171 was a long-distance diesel train that was planned but never built. The idea was to have about seventy "Turbo Express" trains for routes that did not have electric power. However, another railway division, Regional Railways, had ordered too many Class 158 trains. So, Network SouthEast agreed to use these extra trains instead. They introduced them from 1993 as Class 159 South Western Turbos. This meant the Class 171 trains were no longer needed.
Class 331 and 332: Middle Distance Electric Plans
Class 331 and 332 were two types of middle-distance electric trains that were planned but never built. About 300 Class 331 "Networker LT&S" carriages were planned. These were part of a big plan to modernise the London, Tilbury and Southend line. Instead, 74 Bombardier-built Class 357 Electrostar trains started service in 2000.
Twenty Class 332 "Networker Heathrow" trains were planned for the Heathrow Express services. Instead, 14 CAF-built Class 332 trains began service in 1998 on Heathrow Express routes.
Class 341 and 342: Crossrail and Channel Tunnel Plans
Class 341 and 342 were middle-distance electric trains that were planned but never built. The Class 341 "Networker Crossrail" was meant to be the train for the Crossrail project. However, Crossrail was cancelled in the early 1990s. The ideas for this train were later used when planning the trains for the current Crossrail project. The Class 342 was planned for services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link when it opened in 1994. In the end, these projects were cancelled, and no trains were built.
Class 371, 381 and 471: Long Distance Electric Plans
Class 371, 381, and 471 were three types of long-distance electric trains that were planned but never built. Classes 371 and 381 were called the "Universal Networker." These were meant to be dual voltage trains for many different services, including routes to Kent Coast, Great Northern, Thameslink, and LTS. The Class 471 was planned as the "main line Networker" for long-distance journeys from London to Kent and Sussex. The Class 365 train was ordered in 1993 instead of the upgraded Class 471 series. After British Rail was privatised from 1994, no more of these planned trains were ordered.
Comparing Networker Train Types
| Class | Image | Current operator | Introduced | Qty. | Cars | Car length |
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| Diesel multiple units | ||||||
| 165 |  |
Chiltern Railways | 1990–1992 | 39 | 2 or 3 | 22 m (72 ft 2 in) |
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Great Western Railway | 1992 | 36 | 2 or 3 | 22 m (72 ft 2 in) | |
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| 166 |  |
1992–1993 | 21 | 3 | 22 m (72 ft 2 in) | |
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| Dual-voltage | ||||||
| 316 and 457 |  |
(Scrapped, preserved or inserted into Class 455 units) | 1989–1990 | 1 | 4 | |
| 365 | |
(Scrapped) | 1994–1995 | 41 | 4 | 20 m (65 ft 7 in) |
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| DC electric only | ||||||
| 465 |  |
Southeastern | 1991–1994 | 147 | 4 | 20 m (65 ft 7 in) |
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| 466 |  |
1993–1994 | 43 | 2 | 20 m (65 ft 7 in) | |
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