Heathrow Connect/Express Class 360/2 Desiro Fleet
UK (London, Heathrow Airport) · 2004–2005 (rebuilt/built), 2005 (Heathrow Connect service launch), 2007 (lengthened to 5 cars), 2020 (withdrawn from passenger service)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project demonstrated a strategy of rebuilding and repurposing existing rolling stock (Class 350/0) to fulfill new service requirements, offering a potentially more cost-effective solution than new builds. - A derailment incident highlighted the critical importance of rigorous maintenance procedures and addressing track defects to ensure operational safety and reliability. - The eventual replacement by Class 345 units on the Heathrow services, partly due to issues with the European Train Control System in the Heathrow tunnel, underscores the challenges of integrating older rolling stock with advanced signalling systems. - The post-withdrawal acquisition by Rail Operations Group and later Global Centre of Rail Excellence illustrates the potential for cascaded rolling stock to find new uses in freight or testing roles, even after passenger service.
Key engineering challenges
Rebuilding existing Class 350/0 units to meet the specific operational and passenger requirements of the Heathrow Connect service. - Integration with the unique infrastructure and operational environment of Heathrow Airport. - Addressing maintenance issues, such as bogie errors, that could lead to operational incidents like derailments.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- BAA plc (initial order); Heathrow Airport Holdings (owner); TfL Rail (operator); Rail Operations Group (post-withdrawal purchaser); Global Centre of Rail Excellence (current owner of remaining units).
- Lead contractor
- Siemens Mobility
- Lead designers
- Siemens Mobility
- Project type
- refurbishment; vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 5 units (initially 4, then 5); initially 4-car, then 5-car units; Max speed: 100 mph (161 km/h); Capacity: 333 seats (5-car unit)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- UK railway standards
Sources: British Rail Class 360 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_360) - Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report on Paddington derailment (implied by Wikipedia content)