Train fire on Southeastern Networker
A Southeastern train saw emergency services attend today after smoke appeared from beneath the train.
A Class 466 Networker came to a halt at Bearsted station earlier this afternoon with the cause said to be brakes overheating.
Kent Fire and Rescue state five fire engines and a bulk water carrier were on scene.
There were no reported injuries. KFF spent two hours on site.
Some Class 466s are now over 30 years old and Southeastern announced a tender for new stock, though no confirmation of an order has since been announced in the two years since 2022.
Electric trains normally have a shelf life of 35-40 years which Networkers are approaching. Most gain a comprehensive refurbishment at mid-life. The Networkers never did hence the bubbling floors, broken fittings and mess many are in.
Whether the new government agree remains to be seen.
Funding
How they’re funded will be revealing. The government state they wish to renationalise rail (though Southeastern as been under direct government control for some time now as is Network Rail) but their plan excludes existing rolling stock leased by private companies.
Just yesterday high annual profits (£144 million) and subsequent dividends paid by one train leasing company was revealed.
Upon privatisation stock purchased by the state such as the Networkers were sold to private leasing companies who have leased them back for nearly 30 years now as taxpayers and passengers foot the bill. Nice money if you can get it.
Profits gained by the private rail rolling stock owners is money not being reinvested in enhancing existing stock – or ordering new trains.
The question now is will any new stock ordered by this government again be via private leasing companies at high cost for decades? If so their nationalisation claims are weak, to be polite. Certain interests will still benefit at the expense of passengers and taxpayers,
Or will any new stock – if ordered – be purchased outright and under the direct control of any publicly owned rail company such as Great British Rail?
That shows up on government books in the short term – but long term saves money. It’ll be a test of this government’s forthcoming action across a wide area.
The floors and dirt could easily be remedied by Southeastern if they chose to use a bit of common sense and ingenuity.
If they treat the poor Networkers this way, it’s hard to believe they won’t neglect whatever new rolling stock they acquire in the future.
I blame the management. Presentable trains are a prerequisite to running a train operating company, and they have failed at this most basic of tasks.
Perhaps the Class 465 and Class 466 are getting old and do need replacing. Despite they still are reliable DC 750v 3rd Rail trains but still I think that Southeastern should start thinking about ordering new DC 750v 3rd Rail trains.
That the new trains will have air-conditioning, WiFi, walkthrough corridors, disabled toilets, flip-up seats, better improved lighting, improved information display screens, new comfortable seats and interiors.
Depending on who is interested in building and manufacturing the new rolling stocks to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 BREL/ABB/Metro-Cammell DC 3rd Rail Networker units. As both of them are probably reaching nearly 40 years old.
I agree Andrew Gault. Southeastern do need to order new trains with the specifications you highlighted. So they are fit for the future and make travelling mote comfortable for the future.
I also agree with AG that Southeastern as a train operator should have failed to look after the existing networks trains that have been reliable. Management have failed to ensure tbat the trains are properly and thoroughly cleaned and maintained internally. Repairing seats flooring lighting etc.
Thanks even though you spelt my surname wrong.