Southeastern has invited RailAdvent to London Charing Cross today (25th February) to see the official launch of Networker 465908 in its brand-new livery.
The Networker has been out-shopped at Doncaster in Network Southeast livery, a homage to the livery the class first wore when brand new and is part of the Railway 200 celebrations.
465908 made its way overnight earlier this month from Doncaster to Slade Green before heading to Gillingham depot, again, overnight.
Some night owls have already seen part of the livery, but Southeastern has kept some features under wraps and a surprise for the official launch, naming the unit after Network SouthEast’s Chris Green
As part of the official launch, we were able to get on the train for a look and can say that the interior has undergone a deep clean, smelling fresh and looking clean.
However, the interior is still in Southeastern colours and not Network SouthEast.
465908 will be back in passenger service across the Southeastern network but is part of a planned phase-out of the Networker train.
It is hoped they will be replaced by a modern, environmentally friendly train that has charge points and potentially traction battery to help get passengers to the nearest station in times of disruption.
The repaint comes as a gift from Angel Trains and could potentially be the last ever unit to be repainted at Wabtec in Doncaster, which is planning to close its doors.
The livery has had a couple of tweaks from the original to make it disability compliant, such as door colours, etc, but I’m sure you will agree that it looks absolutely stunning!
What’s the plan for 465908?
Well, it is planned to attend the Ashford Depot Open Day as part of Railway 200, which will be used on charity railways. Lastly, Steve White confirmed the unit will be attending The Greatest Gathering in Derby.
It will also be used next year as part of the 40th Anniversary of Network Southeast.
What do you think of the livery? Let us know in the comments below.
A big thank you to Southeastern for inviting us down to London Charing Cross this morning to see the work done on 465908 and to officially launch it into service
Responses
Not travelled on a 465 or 466 with the GWML and SWML being my old stomping grounds, but I must say the 465 looks absolutely splendid in it’s NSE livery. I hope when the 165’s and 166’s are on the verge of being withdrawn, one will get repainted into NSE livery
Would be more authentic renumbered to 208
NSE is back! shame the seating fabric changed as well but I’m not complaining! great to see a 465 back in NSE toothpaste livery with the proper NSE branding!