Class 378

378/0

Class 378s are technically part of the Bombardier Electrostar family, but are designated as Capitalstars by TfL. The initial trains were 24 three-car dual-voltage units. In 2010-11, 20 Class 378/1 3rd rail units were delivered. These are currently used mainly on the East London Line and the Watford DC Line. In 2006, TfL announced the new trains for the new London Overground. In July 2007, TfL announced it had ordered a further 36 carriages for £36 million. The order comprised three additional four-car units for the East London Line, and 24 additional carriages to extend the original 3-car units for the North London Line into 4-car units, delivered in 2011. In September 2008, the first complete unit was unveiled and began testing on Bombardier's test track before being delivered for testing on the national network. The Class 378/0 was originally planned to enter service in January 2009, but was delayed for seven months because of the economic recession, resulting in a shortage of parts. This also affected delivery of Class 377/5 units to First Capital Connect. The first Class 378 unit entered service on 29 July 2009. On the first public unveiling of the Class 378, TfL announced that it had reached an agreement to procure a further three dual-voltage units, taking the total number to 57. These units were intended to enhance the fleet once the South London Line was brought under London Overground's control. In July 2015, London Overground announced an order for 45 new Class 710 units, some of which would displace the Class 378s in use on the Watford DC line. These displaced units will then be cascaded to strengthen services on the other lines the units are used on. In 2018, London Overground began a programme to refresh the Class 378 fleet, giving them a livery and moquette similar to the new Class 710 units.

5-car trains

In February 2013, approval was gained for the procurement of 57 additional vehicles to lengthen the Class 378 fleet from four to five cars. TfL's Business Plan provides for the start of five-car services on the East London line from November 2014, and on the rest of the electrified Overground network by the end of 2015. In January 2016, TfL announced that all 57 units were now running with five cars.

GOBLIN

In December 2018, unit 378 232 was shortened back to four cars to run on the Gospel Oak to Barking line while delays to delivery of Class 710 are resolved. 378 206 and 378 209 were also shortened to 4 carriages, as temporary cover when the class 172s went off-lease.

Sub-classes and formations

378135-378154 - DMSO(A)-MSO(A)-TSO-MSO(B)-DMSO(B)
Seating: Longitudinal ("low-style") low-density seating throughout
Livery: New London Overground (black upper bodyside with white, orange & blue lower bodyside stripes and orange doors)
Traction: 750V DC 3rd Rail only

378201-378234/378255-378257 - DMSO(A)-MSO(A)-PTSO-MSO(B)-DMSO(B)
Seating: Longitudinal ("low-style") low-density seating throughout
Livery: London Overground (all over white with a blue solebar, black window surrounds & orange doors) bring transferred to New London Overground (black upper bodyside with white, orange & blue lower bodyside stripes and orange doors)
Traction: 25kV AC 50Hz Overhead and 750V DC 3rd Rail