Class 465 & 466 ‘Networker’ units put into store
A reduction in operating diagrams for its fleet, caused by a revised timetable in operation, and the forthcoming introduction of Class 707 ‘Desiro City’ units, has resulted in SouthEastern withdrawing a number of its ‘Networker’ units from service and sending them away to Worksop for warm storage.
The first two sets to be dispatched to HNRC’s yard were Nos. 465236/46, which moved north on June 17. Their transfer, which ran as the 5Q26/10.59 Gillingham-Worksop, was handled by Class 57 No. 57312. Four days later, Class 37 No. 37884 hauled Nos. 465245, 466004/16 from Gillingham to Worksop. A further move on June 24 saw No. 37884 leave Gillingham for Worksop with Nos. 465017/19 in tow.
Other ‘Networkers’ stopped are Nos. 465247/913 and 466006 at Slade Green (having had a spell at New Beckenham sidings), along with No. 466024 at Gillingham.
The Class 465 and 466 ‘Networker’ fleets date from 1993-1995. The ‘465/0’ and ‘465/1’ sets were built by ABB at York and the Class ‘465/2’ (some of which became ‘465/9’) and ‘466’ units by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath.
■ Despite a number of sets being placed in store, overhauls of other units in the fleet are continuing. June 5 saw Class 66
