Alstom Secures £20M Deal to Overhaul Southeastern’s Class 465 Fleet, Boosting UK Rail Reliability and Skills

Alstom has won a significant £20 million contract from Eversholt Rail to overhaul nearly 400 bogies for Southeastern’s Class 465 “Networker” fleet, ensuring the continued reliability of key commuter services in the South East of England. The two-year project will be executed at Alstom’s historic Crewe Works, sustaining 50 skilled engineering roles and extending the life of these essential trains until a new fleet is procured.

Crewe, UK – Alstom has been awarded a major contract by rolling stock asset manager Eversholt Rail to perform a comprehensive overhaul of 398 power bogies for the Class 465 fleet, operated by Southeastern. The work, valued at £20 million, will be carried out at Alstom’s UK Centre of Excellence for Bogie Overhaul in Crewe, Cheshire. This vital project covers bogies from 97 four-car units and includes a full suite of services, from wheel and traction motor replacement to gearbox overhauls, axle inspections, and full electrical testing, ensuring the fleet remains safe and reliable for passengers across Kent and South East London.

The Class 465 fleet, a cornerstone of Southeastern’s high-capacity commuter routes, has been in service since its introduction by British Rail in 1992. These units operate on the intensive 750V DC third-rail network and are designed for the rigours of stop-start suburban services, with a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h). The comprehensive bogie overhaul is critical as it directly addresses the components most affected by decades of high-mileage urban service—namely the traction motors, wheelsets, and braking systems. This meticulous engineering work is essential for maintaining the fleet’s performance and safety standards for years to come.

This project underscores a key trend in the UK rail industry: extending the operational life of proven rolling stock while procurement for next-generation fleets, such as Southeastern’s planned accessible Metro trains, is finalised. Bogies will be transported weekly from Southeastern’s Slade Green depot in London to Crewe, beginning next year. Mark Derbyshire, Crewe Works General Manager at Alstom, called the award “a strong vote of confidence in Crewe’s capability,” highlighting how the site’s heritage and recent investment are helping to “keep passengers moving reliably across the country.” The facility is also poised to manufacture bogies for the new HS2 rolling stock, marking a return to UK bogie manufacturing after nearly two decades.

Key Takeaways

• Ensures Fleet Reliability: The overhaul will extend the service life of 97 four-car Class 465 units, which are vital for Southeastern’s high-frequency commuter services into London.
• Supports UK Skills: The project sustains 50 skilled engineering jobs at Crewe Works for two years, reinforcing the North of England’s long-standing rail expertise.
• Strategic Life-Extension: The £20 million contract highlights the industry’s focus on maintaining legacy fleets to bridge the gap and ensure service continuity until new rolling stock is introduced.

Editor’s Analysis

This contract, while focused on an existing fleet, speaks volumes about the current state of the global rail market. In an era of constrained public finances and complex procurement cycles for new trains, the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is becoming increasingly critical. This deal demonstrates how targeted investment in life-extension programmes can deliver significant value, ensuring passenger service reliability and safety without the immediate capital outlay of a full fleet replacement. For Alstom, it solidifies Crewe’s position as a key strategic asset in its UK and European service operations, proving that heritage sites can be at the forefront of modern rail engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bogie and why is its overhaul important?
A bogie is a chassis or framework carrying the wheels, axles, and suspension of a railway vehicle. Its overhaul is critical for safety, ride quality, and reliability, as it contains the traction motors that power the train and the braking systems that stop it.

Which train fleet is being refurbished?
The project focuses on the Class 465 ‘Networker’ fleet, which has been operating on Southeastern’s commuter routes in Kent and South East London since the early 1990s.

Where will the overhaul work take place?
The work will be performed at Alstom’s Crewe Works in Cheshire, which is designated as the company’s UK Centre of Excellence for Bogie, Wheel and Traction Motor Overhaul.