Train operator Southern has been hard at work removing the familiar squeak from across its Electrostar fleet.

By replacing elements of seat-back tray tables that have grown to squeak through wear and tear, passenger journeys across London and the South Coast will be free of the noise going ahead.

More than 31,000 ageing rubber bushes that reduce friction in seat-back tables will be replaced with nylon as part of regular maintenance, alongside fresh paint, new seat fabrics and carpets.

There are two bushes per tray table, about 86 tables per unit, giving 31,304 bushes across 182 Class 377 1-4 trains.

The improvement comes as part of a major refurbishment effort being carried out across Southern’s fleet, with roughly one train a week going through Selhurst Depot for the ‘C6’ overhaul each week.

This includes inspections, refreshed paint and upholstery, along with repairs and upgrades to the finer details.

“We’re all familiar with the moment you lower a table and feel like you’ve announced yourself to the whole carriage. This is quickly becoming a thing of the past as we refurbish our trains to make journeys even more comfortable.

“We’re hot on the heels of change, tackling even the squeakiest of details, as we know small improvements like these often make the biggest difference to your journey.”

Louis Rambaud, Southern’s Chief Customer Officer.