​New Thameslink train transforms passenger journeys on Sevenoaks suburban route

Passengers have started travelling on a new state-of-the-art train on Thameslink’s Sevenoaks to London and Bedford route.

The new generation of air-conditioned, spacious Class 700 train is running eight services a day on the Sevenoaks to London and Bedford route, via Bromley South and Catford, creating more space for passengers and a modernised travelling environment.

Delivered as part of the Government-sponsored Thameslink Programme, which is transforming north-south travel through London with up to 24 trains per hour in each direction between Blackfriars and St Pancras International, more trains will follow, steadily replacing the entire 29-year-old fleet.

The new train is ideal for the busy suburban route:

• The train is much more spacious, with wider doors, easy-to-reach grab handles, wide aisles and interconnecting carriages so that passengers can move around easily to find more room
• Unlike the original fleet, the new trains feature climate control and the latest passenger information systems including real-time updates from London Underground
• Fixed in length at eight carriages long, once all existing trains have been replaced, it guarantees an end to short four-carriage services that still run at certain times of the day
• The new train meets the latest requirements for people with disabilities with a fully accessible toilet and wheelchair spaces.

In addition to the greater carrying capacity of the new trains, Thameslink is proposing to increase frequency of the service from two to four trains per hour in 2018 from Bickley up through Bromley South, Beckenham, Catford and Peckham Rye. Combined with the new train, this will deliver a step-change in service for passengers.

Thameslink’s Engineering Director Gerry McFadden said: “These new trains are just great and passengers on our busy suburban routes are going to love them. They’ll immediately notice the bright, spacious interior, air conditioning and advanced passenger information systems with updates on the Tube.”

Dave Hooper, Siemens’ Thameslink Programme Director, said: “At Siemens we are very proud of this new train that we have specially designed to give enhanced passenger benefits on the Thameslink route. Entering the first new train on a service for Kent passengers is another significant milestone for the Thameslink Programme.”

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Editor’s notes
The new Thameslink Class 700 has replaced Class 319 trains and is operating eight services a day. More trains will cover more services in the future.

New Class 700s are calling at Denmark Hill; Peckham Rye; Nunhead; Crofton Park; Catford; Bellingham; Beckenham Hill; Ravensbourne; Shortlands; Bromley South; Bickley; St Mary Cray; Swanley; Eynsford; Shoreham; Otford; Bat & Ball; Sevenoaks

The Class 700 has been operating on the longer-distance Bedford-Brighton service since June and on the Wimbledon and Sutton suburban route since earlier this month.