16 January 2025 •
Trenitalia c2c is currently undertaking a significant project to repaint its entire Class 357 train units with the first units now in service.
With an approximate 35.8 million journeys being made on c2c services every year, the work will extend the longevity and reliability of the 357 fleet as well as enhancing the customer experience and maintaining the highest standards of service.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with rolling stock manufacturer Alstom at its depot based in Ilford, which is a centre of excellence and employs over 120 people working on a range of train classes.
c2c’s iconic 357 fleet were introduced into service between 1998 and 2002 and comprise a total of 74 units. The units are on lease until 2029 and run across the c2c route alongside the 720 fleet, which came into service in 2023.
Each 357 unit will receive a complete external re-paint to protect them and ensure they have a successful future on the route.
Each train takes approximately 20 days to complete, and the work involves stripping back the cars, including exterior fittings, undertaking minor repairs and restoration and comprehensively re-painting, a layer at a time, to prevent corrosion and rust. A waterborne hydro topcoat is used, which is an eco-friendly paint system with the lowest VOC content.
This protects against wear and tear and will enable the trains to operate as successfully for the second half of their life, as they have done for the first. With advances in paint technology the newly painted trains are finished as well, or better, than when they were first introduced.
c2c’s Head of Engineering Jeff Baker said: “We are delighted with the progress of the 357 repaint project. We know that this work, led by our partners at Alstom, will both improve the longevity of our 357 fleet and will benefit our customers for years to come.”
Alstom’s Portfolio Director – Commuter Fleets, Peter Keighron said: “We are very proud of the job we are doing with this repaint project. The trains were orginally built at our Litchurch Lane site in Derby and we now maintain them at East Ham depot, therefore Alstom has all the knowledge to work on these units.
“The 357 units are the workhorse of the c2c fleet and this repaint will allow them to continue serving the millions of passengers they carry every year.”
The project will take 24 months to complete, and the first unit (357207) is already operational on the c2c route. The second unit (357005) will be released onto the c2c route next week.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
About Alstom
- With 37 locations and 6,000 employees, Alstom is the UK and Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and rail infrastructure provider.
- Alstom have built just under 40 per cent of the UK mainline train fleet; as well as the entire fleets in service with London Underground and Dublin Luas. Half of all UK rail journeys are made on an Alstom train, while its portfolio of smart products is the widest on the market.
- For more information, please visit www.alstom.com.