100th GTR Electrostar Upgraded

On 19 April 2023 the 100th Class 377 Electrostar EMU, 387 127, operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has completed the 100 million GBP Project Aurora upgrade programme, returning to passenger service with a host of new features that significantly improve reliability and passenger experience.

The project is funded by Porterbrook with Alstom providing technical specification, design work and materials and GTR carrying out the installation and testing. In total, 270 trains consisting of 1,086 carriages will go through Project Aurora, with the final train due to be completed in 2025.

A streamlined process means that two trains are fully upgraded every week at GTR’s depot in Selhurst and returned to passenger service. Once completed, all 270 trains combined will have required 250 km of wiring, 35,000 lighting tubes, 32,000 power/dual USB sockets and 2.5 million fixings and fasteners. The upgraded trains feature plug and dual USB sockets at every seat, enhanced passenger information services with new digital screens, energy saving LED lighting throughout the train and automatic passenger counting to help GTR analyse services and manage timetables effectively.

Smart on-board data recorders and updates to the Train Data Network allow for improved remote monitoring of the trains operational systems, which helps reliability and reduces the time trains spend out of service for maintenance or repair. Forward-facing and track debris CCTV has also been installed on every train with the ability to remotely live-stream and download images.

GTR has the UK’s biggest fleet of Electrostars, operating between London, Surrey, Sussex and the south coast. The trains also run on Great Northern and Gatwick Express routes.