New Trains

New modern, spacious trains

Rail Passengers tell us that their priorities include more seats and better reliability. New efficient, high capacity trains in 8 and 12-car formations are now operating on the Thameslink network. Designed to move greater numbers of passengers more frequently in air-conditioned comfort, these new, modern, spacious trains include enhanced passenger information and accessibility to transform the passenger experience and provide less crowded, more reliable and more frequent services.

More seats and better reliability

The new bright and modern trains are air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible and have fully accessible toilets.

More space, air-conditioned and fully accessible

As trains get closer to London, more passengers board them, which can result in an uncomfortable journey. The new Thameslink Class 700 trains have been designed to carry a wide cross section of more passengers in comfort, especially for the relatively short journeys within the M25.

Built by Siemens, the new trains have extra wide doors to allow passengers to get on and off quickly and easily, and wide gangways and walk-through carriages, so passengers can use all the space in the train. These air-conditioned, bright and modern trains are wheelchair accessible, have fully accessible toilets and plenty of space for buggies and luggage.

Better journey information

The trains also include enhanced safety and security systems including CCTV. They contain digital information displays with better information about the journey and facilities on the train to enable passengers to see where there is available space.

More capacity

Many of the new trains are 50% longer than the trains they replace. Just one new 12-car service is able to carry around the same number of passengers as 21 double decker buses. When Thameslink Programme is complete, the new Class 700 trains will facilitate up to 24 trains per hour at peak times in each direction through the core section between Blackfriars and St Pancras International (triple the number of services prior to the programme starting).

New Class 700 trains have already been introduced into passenger service and now operate on all current Thameslink services.