Production of a class 377 Southern electrostar (and maybe First Capital Connect)

[James6666]

I have been looking around and have had no success in finding a class 377, part of the electrostar family. The only attempted modern Southern train was the Bachmann Southern turbo-star which was sold as a limited edition by Modelzone, which sold a couple

 

of hundred but the real train only runs on very limited routes without a third rail so was not that popular. The class 377 is the main train which runs the Southern lines. I think this would prove a popular model and to prove this I would like you to comment

 

in support for a 4 car Southern livery and maybe First Capital Connect livery class 377.

[Bexhill Donkey]

The two-car Class 171 in Southern Livery as modelled by Bachmann does run to Eastbourne. It used to run all the way from Ashford International to Brighton. Looked sideways on, this model is very similar to an Electrostar in the same livery. The main difference is the cab front, which on the Electrostar has a corridor connector. This is also true of the Networker as modelled by Hornby in Connex and South Eastern Livery.  However, when these trains are sitting in the station, they do give a passable representation of a Southern third rail station such as Hampden Park.  In the case of the latter station, the Turbostar model accurately represents the rolling stock used on the line, although it is third rail.

Hornby have done the Eurostar and the Javelin, so I think they might do an Electrostar.  Ashford is quite a good station to do since you can have the Southern Turbostar, the Eurostar and the Javelin, all authentic for this location.

See these pics

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130404782@N06/20982543258/

[walkingthedog]

James6666's  post is 7 years old and he hasn’t been on here since then. I doubt he will see your reply.  😉

[Bexhill Donkey]

Well, you saw my reply. I hope you enjoyed it. What is your opinion on a Hornby Electrostar?  Would it be a worthwhile model for them?

[walkingthedog]

I did but I didn’t leave the forum 7 years ago  😆

 

I only like locos that can pull wagons if necessary so I’m not the person to ask. Sorry. 

[LCDR]

There has always been a problem with the electrified  lines which were formerly the Southern Region. Each division (South Eastern, Central, and South Western which nowadays are still reflected in the TOCs)  were always distinct and only certain classes of rolling stock operated on any one division at one time. The Central Division was the only division where 5Bel, 4Lav, 6Pul and 6Pan units operated on a regular basis. The 2Bil, 4Cor, 4Res, etc. were found on both Central and South Western, but never regularly on the South Eastern. The South Eastern was pretty much a suburban division until 1962, so it operated 4Sub, 4EPB, 2EPB, 2Hal, 2Hap and 4Cep units, which were also to be found on the other two divisions. The 2Nol tended to be restricted to the Windsor lines and the South Coast.

 

Bringing this up to date, the South Eastern use 375 and 376 'Electrostar',  395 'Javelin', and 465 / 466 'Networkers'. The Southern (old Central Division) use the 377 and 387 'Electrosta'r, 455  old 'Sprinter' type.  The South West Railway use 442 'Wessex', 444. and 450 ' Desiro', 455 old 'Sprinter' type suburban stock,  458 'Juniper' units, and new 707 'Desiro City' units.  Add in the Thameslink (FCC)  700  'Desiro City' units and there is still significant differences between the divisions.

 

If therefore the 'Electrostar' type is selected then it excludes South West straight away. The old Hornby 466 was exclusively South Eastern as too is the Javelin.

 

You can see the dilemma a manufacturer has in choosing a suitable subject for a new model. In sheer weight of numbers the Electrostar does have the edge, but will they bite the bullet? I doubt it.

[Postman Prat]

Hi LC&DR

 

You'll be interested to hear that the 442s have been withdrawn again. Safety issues. It seems that when the Plastic Pig approaches certain signals in the Earlsfield area the signal changes and then 'Instant Spad'. this then leads to queues of trains all over the place.

 

Is this the privatized utopia promised by the politicians ??? 😮

[LCDR]

Cannot compare in nostalgia terms to a rebuilt Merchant Navy class and 15 Bulleid corridors!    😆

[Souty Train Guy]

I have always wanted one.

Fortunately I managed to get hold of a Class 170, and convert it to a Southern class 171. 

Class 377 is the next conversion on my list!

It would be nice if the Class 171 ever comes out!

[BMW M3 GTR]

It would be nice to have one made, but I highly doubt that they'll make one in the near future

[LCDR]

Another ancient thread surfacing.