The History of the Networkers

Hello everyone! :D
By popular demand, today we look over the complex history of the Class 165, 166, 365, 465 and 466 units developed during the late 1980s and early 1990s for the London commuter network, better known as the Networkers.
Proposed to replace the aging slam-door electric and diesel multiple units of the 1950s and 60s, the Networkers were an ambitions scheme to present a new, high quality commuter train both for existing and proposed rail corridors within the London area, but a mixture of poor timing, a lack of government investment, and the onslaught of privatisation meant that this promising proposal failed to meet its overall intended goal.
Also, I realise I haven't mentioned the Class 325 postal units, and while they have the exterior body design of the Networker class, they do in fact share more in common with the Class 319 Thameslink units. However, the Class 325s will be getting their own dedicated video in the future, so stay tuned! :D
All video content and images in this production have been provided with permission wherever possible. While I endeavour to ensure that all accreditations properly name the original creator, some of my sources do not list them as they are usually provided by other, unrelated KZbinrs. Therefore, if I have mistakenly put the accreditation of 'Unknown', and you are aware of the original creator, please send me a personal message at my Gmail (this is more effective than comments as I am often unable to read all of them): [e-mail]
The views and opinions expressed in this video are my personal appraisal and are not the views and opinions of any of these individuals or bodies who have kindly supplied me with footage and images.
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Thanks again, everyone, and enjoy! :D
References:
- Network SouthEast.co.uk (and their respective sources)
- Kent Rail (and their respective sources)
- Wikipedia (and its respective references)

[@prime1971]

Love these videos, they must take ages to get all of the facts and figures together, ease consider doing one on the history and rolling stock of the Gatwick express

[@mallardtheduck1]

Some issues: Chiltern services did not serve Birmingham until after privatisation and these services use Cl168 "Clubman" units (predominantly). A note that these units (and the class 170/171 Turbostars) are a direct decedent of the Cl165/166 design would have been nice. Crediting the Desiro with fully replacing slam-door stock and not mentioning the more numerous Electrostar units seems strange, particularly since the Electrostar design is also somewhat based on the Networkers (they're unrelated to the Electric Networkers, but do use a bodyshell design derived from the Cl165). I'd hardly call the Networkers a "failure" since, while budgetary issues prevented NSE from fully realising their goals, Networker-derived units do now dominate the former NSE area (with the exception of the South-Western subsector that ordered Desiros instead) and can be found well beyond.

[@stevieinselby]

In 1995 (pre-privatisation but post-Networker), the Chiltern region was running an hourly service between Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill - along with an hourly stopping service to High Wycombe, an hourly service to Aylesbury via High Wycombe, and a half-hourly service to Aylesbury via Amersham. I believe it was when the Networkers were launched that the service to Birmingham was reinstated.

[@nathanw9770]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the Electrostars were based of the class 471 as well?

[@scottsuter3451]

I worked on the production line of these units in York. I was a welder at the carriage works.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Was you Scottie boy

[@sjain8853]

thanks for the upload. I love these videos, they really are a joy to watch and the ones I click on fastest, so nice to jump into. a clear & perfectly paced voice, interesting facts and endless classic old footage ♥️ it's heaven

[@ZaphodHarkonnen]

I remember catching quite a few of those around the Reading area when I lived there just a few years ago. Noisy little DMUs.

[@butikimbo9595]

When moved to Britain 13 years ago, thought Northern classe 323 were Networkers due to their quite similar exterior design and prity much the same interiors. By the other hand Class 325 Royal Mail have Networker's fronts but their body frame and technology is clearly Second Generation Mark 3 electric units such as class 319. Classes 332 and 333 highly suggest a modern version of Networker front as a legacy from its futuristic and aerodynamic front design compared to new units with more continental European design not exclusive from Old School BR. Thank you for sharing the video.

[@PeteS_1994]

I feel the 90's era was an interesting time for uk train design. 90's uk train designs still look modern to me whilst the 80's looks dated.

[@Froobyone]

Very forward thinking design on the Class 341 having a toilet roll at the front. Would have come in very handy during the pandemic. :)

[@DanKeeley]

Its crazy that so many 365s are now unused!

[@jackmellor5536]

Can you do a video on the sprinters? Classes 150-156

[@andrewfrancis3591]

Those EPB's often had 1917 steam coach plates in the frames.

[@chrisadye1590]

The first words "working quietly behind the scenes" accompanied by an image of a third rail unit slightly threw me. For a long time they didn't work - that's their main problem. For modern rolling stock the third rail units reliability has been poor. Its got better by firstly reallocating some to medium distance work, and secondly by replacing much of the electronics on the BREL manufactured units with a power train from Hitachi - but they still aren't very good.

[@lttractiongroup]

Just a suggestion; MK1s are not wooden framed. The old 4-SUBs were, and I'm pretty sure the Bulleid-style EPBs were too, but the MK1 EMUs definitely were not. The Clapham disaster involved REP and VEP MK1-Based EMUs so had nothing to do with wooden bodied stock.

[@gregorylenton8200]

great show again

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Very good, thanks.

[@waleedarif6740]

Networkers, especially 365s, are irreplaceable. They are energetic. I don't really know why the BRB has made the government waste their money on ordering newer trains.

[@waleedarif6740]

365s are going now.

[@LolLol-xy4rh]

Grea just great

[@JimbobsTransportVideos]

Up until 2003 Class 101s ran on first northern

[@ZLDSmogless]

The Alstom 465 sounds (much better) like a 323. The BREL 465 sounds like a 377.

[@TrainPlayz566]

Cutie class 365

[@ralpha679]

And at the time it was the fastest in the fleet

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! Norways rolling stock is not that impressive. Lol!

[@leoroverman4541]

High quality commuter trains- Hmm I'll take a rain cheque on that. Commuting in the south east has never been pleasurable. there was always a mismatch between the level of comfort and the amount paid. British rail simply could not deal with that twenty percent growth and London Bridge could be positively dangerous to one's health in rush hour. Frequently referred to as cattle cars, you needed to be at either terminus to get a seat, the rest was pure luck

[@Bungle2010]

It's completely unrealistic to expect a 100% chance of getting a seat on busy commuter routes into London.

[@leoroverman4541]

@@Bungle2010 Unrealistic, probably, that did not make it anymore desirable. When you add that to the carnage caused by the recent train strikes it becomes positively whimsical.

[@Bungle2010]

@@leoroverman4541 "Carnage". Hardly. And blame the Tories. You know what to do at the GE.

[@leoroverman4541]

@@Bungle2010 Having survived both parties as long as I have, I am inclined to vote for the least worst candidates. From memory everything that Labour have touched in my life- they even managed to ruin my 21st birthday in 1972

[@googlehomeboi9975]

11:08 the people designing the 331/195 be like:

[@lordparma7556]

The 331/195s are part of the CAF Civity family of trains which has existed since 2010, so CAF did not base the 331/195s on the Class 342 design, the 331/195 are a new design of train.

[@rat_king-]

WTF happened to mixed traffic?

[@77smp]

why is there a toilet roll on the 341?

[@Looiiss37]

Awesome trains and buses when he hears that his favourite train will be scrapped in two years: NOOOOO!!! 😭😭😭 IF YOU ARE WATCHING SOUTHEASTERN SAVE THEM FROM THE SCRAPYARD!!! :( THEY CAN BE RUNNING FOR A BIT MORE LONGER!!!

[@williamerazo3921]

Basically stole the Metropolitans M1 of NYC MTA LIRR lol 😂

[@_chp_]

sToP rEaDiNg OfF wIkEpeDiA!!!!!!12!1!1 Also, can we see englands mail operations? I feel like nobody really talks about them.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

Interesting documentary spoilt by over-fast commentary and little live-sound.

[@bahnspotterEU]

Could you perhaps do a video on Mail operations by rail in the UK? I’d love to see that!

[@Robert-tl2vg]

Blimey, nerd alert

[@stevebarnes2]

@@Robert-tl2vg So?

[@Miner4472]

If you want there's a British transport film on night mail, available on BFI player.

[@375-Productions]

@@Robert-tl2vg You've also found yourself watching a history on trains video, already seems pretty nerdy to me, I for one think the history of mail rail operations in the uk would be a great idea

[@andysedgley]

@@375-Productions Absolutely, and well said. From "The Night Mail" to Class 325s, would be a great topic for a future upload!

[@abedekok322]

There's something about Industrial design of the Late-80s into the Early-90s that has always fascinated me, I'm surprised how well the looks have held up over the past 30 years.

[@bb-3653]

The design and tech was well ahead of it's time. The technology used was like a whole different thing compared to their current units in the 90s . I prefer their design even till this day than some of the newer trains

[@soundseeker63]

Indeed, these units could still pass off as modern today and, although a little dated inside, are also comfortable, quiet and smooth. Better in fact than many of the much newer units, for instance class 380 and 385 which are horrid looking things, and the class 195 and 331 and 800/801 which are very uncomfortable. BR got a lot of flak back in the day but, love them or loath them, they have produced some excellent and timeless designs over the years.

[@bb-3653]

@@soundseeker63 WORDD ,(I know you werent replying to me but I had to comment) the networker model 465/365s etc are an astounding model of train along side the traction noise and acceleration speed (the newer trains are unbareably quiet in my opinion). It's almost like the only reason they were put into storage was simply because great northern got bored and wanted to try out the 700s and 387s not because theres anything actually wrong with them . Networkers were designed (given they are maintained properly) to not only look modern no matter the year, but functionally to last for decades. A bit of a rework on paint and maybe some updates and theyll literally look just as new as current trains like the 700s etc.

[@moose_ringo9161]

@@bb-3653 365's were not suited to the express duties they given to on Great Northern. That's why they chose to use 387's. They were actually appallingly badly suited to their workings, as they had no air con, no carpet, no plug sockets, tiny tables and iirc no WiFi. The 465's are perfectly suited to their suburban dutiesbut 365's didn't at all. Obviously they are more interesting than electrostars, but the railway is made for the passengers, not the enthusiasts.

[@bb-3653]

@@moose_ringo9161 whilst its initially for travel, I personally dont find harm in making some room for a bit of catering to the enthusiasts lol, or some creative aspect. but that being said they could at least modify the inside or "refurbish" some of them for the duty. Or at the very least give them to another company. Like 319s ..which are older units . But your right, efficiency first ..however I do think it's also nice to have some fun with it....if they can of course

[@dan27032]

Please do a video on the turbostars/electrostars next

[@bradleythomasburdentrainta366]

I advise it would be best to let the chap do what he wants.

[@maimadha]

​@@bradleythomasburdentrainta366Rory does take video suggestions

[@bradleythomasburdentrainta366]

@@maimadha Oh. nvm

[@olly5764]

Neither the Mk1s nor the units derrived from them and involved at clapham, they were all steel construction.

[@iankemp1131]

Quite correct. Wooden bodies on express trains disappeared many years before Clapham. The snag was that BR EMUs were based on Mk1 bodies and in many cases had slam doors. This gave less structural rigidity that the Mk2 and Mk3 bodyshells. In addition slam doors were a nuisance at stations - just one door left open caused delays - although they allowed large numbers of passengers rapid egress at major termini.

[@olly5764]

@@iankemp1131 Even with the longer distance MK1 stock, which only had doors at the ends and centre, the strength was, of course, in the underframes, unlike later stock.

[@cjmillsnun]

@@olly5764 Yup correct. Mk2s and Mk3s (and all subsequent designs) were monocoques rather than separate body and frame.

[@Vampire.Vegan.]

7:31- a little bit of the 'Wild Wood' video by by Paul Weller

[@iankemp1131]

@@N0mark0v Depends on your definition of express. Many Southern Region EMUs could do 90 mph.

[@owenchuarbx]

I've ridden a 365 before from Cambridge to Kings Cross (Evening Direct Non-Stop) back in 2016. Splendid even for an early 90s train.

[@bfapple]

If you call 1995 early 90s ;)

[@moose_ringo9161]

Honestly they were fine until Great Northern got their hands on them. After that refurbishment even the 387's were an improvement. There were no tables, no carpet, no plug sockets, no wifi, no air con and not even any armrests. They were better in WAGN days.

[@bfapple]

@@moose_ringo9161 I'm very confused. The table seats are still there (with table), and wifi has been fitted. The lack of carpet is a disappointment, I'll admit, but aircon is very difficult (if not impossible) to fit to older MUs.

[@moose_ringo9161]

@@bfapple They removed the tables from the table seats in the GN refurb IIRC. If I'm wrong then I'm sure you're right. However the tables that were there were only small wedge-shaped tables anyway and there were never any seatback tables. They also reduced the amount of 'bay of four' seats. They were fine, but worse than they used to be, and they weren't suited to that sort of work (Cambridge - Kings Cross express) since technology had moved on, not having plug sockets or air con was very unsatisfactory. Therefore I think it was best for them to get electrostars. The WAGN interior had a higher-quality feel (and very nice interior furnishings). I just think, apart from motor noise, they're overrated units and would be better suited to outer-suburban duties.

[@owenchuarbx]

@@bfapple the design is still early 90s though as the 365s are essentially AC versions of the 465/466.

[@jamesplanesgaming2024]

30 odd years and still in pristine/immaculate/perfect condition

[@idriszakir3456]

Amazing how the networker trains still look modern and fresh even though they are nearly 30 years old!!

[@Keithbarber]

They have lasted well, and worn well, and with refurbishment

[@Spacebug111]

You could say that about the 390!

[@-Benedict]

Maybe they still look good elsewhere, but the GWR 165 and 166 units look and feel awful now. If I'm taking a train on the Wessex line, I'm always disappointed when a Networker shows up. The 158 Sprinter is much more comfortable.

[@BritishTrainspotting]

@@-Benedict I recently rode on a GWR 158, their narrow profile means that when travelling with someone else and sitting next to one another, your shoulders and arms are shoved against one another and you have barely any leg room either. The GWR networkers are direly in need of some better maintenance and need improvements in the suspension and ride quality, hopefully the refurbishments they're slowly getting will fix this.

[@glitch4465]

The picture at 11:12 is mine, I took it from an old train magazine and uploaded it to another website. The magazine quotes it as a "class 481", 4xx-implying a Southern Reigon DC unit. There are no pictures of the class 342, although I think that whatever train they were going to make for Thameslink, was intended to be used on the CTRL, as part of BR's orginal CTRL plan was to run Thameslink trains onto the high-speed line to Ashford.

[@tech83studio38]

Thank you for not flooding these excellent presentations with annoying ads .

[@limeyfox]

EPBs didn’t have wooden frames. The oldest units were pre-MK1 design (those with the top lights above the drop light windows and slightly more angled front cabs) being based on Bulleid suburban stock and had less strong bulkhead design than the MK1 units. Hence in an accident such as Cannon St the MK1 variants tended to override and crush the pre-Mk1 types.

[@jamielnash5049]

He's lied

[@Teddystream.]

The class 442 unit 2401 is the worlds fastest 3rd rail train at 108 mph on.11th April 1988 I suppose that it will be scrapped just like fastest 4th rail the A Stock pioneer A60 5000-5001 86 mph 1960 outside Rickmansworth during safety brake testing for B R Great Central main line

[@haymids]

I have a good video suggestion, Do the PEP's!, there are alot to talk about them.

[@geraiswaiya2347]

Love the 365s, wish they had not been facelifted, a timeless look.

[@DTPORT5723]

When they were up in Scotland doing Glasgow-Edinburgh/Edinburgh-Dunblane routes we loved them, was such a strange sensation seeing a London networker speeding up and down.

[@jackhstproductions649]

Oh yeah I forgot you got the happy trains up there

[@thornimation5492]

Just to mention: The West Ealing to Greenford branch line (since 2016 or 2017 has operated as a shuttle), still uses Networker Class 165 DMUs to this day. I won't be surprised if they continue to operate on that line until electrification of that line: I've heard of no plans for that as of yet. Living in West London, prior to the electrification of the Great Western Mainline from beyond Hayes and Harrington from 2016 onwards, the Class 165 have been a bit part of my travel into Central London and back to my neighbourhood again for most of my life. In my experience they have been fairly reliable.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

10:30 so this is why crossrail is so late

[@eottoe2001]

Everyone was so in love with neoliberal economics in the 1980s and 1990s here in the states and in the UK but as a economic model it certainly made things more complicated particularly in terms of standardization of materials, parts and equipment. I was surprised that prior to the privatization that there were preliminary efforts to break up the various rail services preparing the way. Thanks for the video. I learn so much.

[@dobbinism]

An informative report, thank you. The networker platform still is a great train, solid and reliable after years of service. The 365 variants (the few that are still running on the KX to Cambridge route) are both fast and comfortable if, perhaps, in need of an internal refurbishment.

[@oliverbrigstocke1306]

Loved all the shots of the 365s at Cambridge, I used to get one there every weekday for school for over 10 years

[@declangaming24]

Class 166 is still running today

[@barnaby4796]

A video on the history of Thameslink and its rolling stock would be amazing!

[@jackmellor5536]

I didn't know the Eurostar was originally going to operate from Victoria? What made it change to Waterloo?

[@DC4260Productions]

I'm looking forward to the Class 325 video, as I find those trains to be quite interesting.

[@flybe001]

New title : YTP *CROSSFAIL NEVER ONTIME ALWAYS LATE ALWAYS PLASTIC*

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

13:12 Ah yeah that Thames turbo unit collided the hst after it went through on red where it should have stopped and let the hst go through before this unit goes through with a clear road ahead

[@1RichieRich]

Great video but Was the Ladbroke Grove crash really just driver error? This crash was caused by poor placement of signal SN109, poor training, poor management and unfortunate lighting conditions on the day in which Driver Michael Hodder ending up having a SPAD due to SN109 appearing as Amber when it was Red (due to lighting conditions) which resulted in his own death, Driver Brian Cooper (hst) and several passengers, it was an terrible accident and several events leading up to it but its unfair to say it was just driver error as there was lot more to it than just that as highlighted from the investigation

[@aldo4319]

No such colour as amber on railway - it is yellow

[@12crepello]

Unfortunate truth is that we'll never really now why Hodder spadded signal 102. We can only summise in the same way the inquiry did.

[@stuew6]

I love your videos and I wish you do a Class 20 type 1 Locomotives history

[@tjfSIM]

The EPBs were certainly not wooden bodied; they were all steel construction, as was the Mk1. Their awful safety performance was as a result of their interior layout, and the fact that the body sides were punctuated by doors at every seating bay. This caused them to effectively ‘concertina’ on impact, as was seen in the Cannon Street accident. Interestingly, not all EPBs were derived from the MK1 coach - those with the smaller window lights above the doors were actually slightly different in profile, and were designed by Oliver Bulleid. They also differed very slightly in their cab end design.

[@mikemidulster]

@13:19. ' over-ran a red signal due to driver error'. The ladbroke Grove crash was not due to driver error and it has been proven since that the siting of signal SN109 was the problem.

[@droge192]

citing, not 'siting'.

[@mikemidulster]

@@droge192 No, It is 'siting' as it refers to the physical location of the signal.

[@XNick291X]

I think the footage used at 1:55 was fron a BR training video about flagging an automatic signal or about the different types of couplings when the Class 455's were introduced in the South Central London commuter area

[@soundseeker63]

Pretty sure all the Mk1 derived vehicles were of all-steel construction (albeit separate chassis and body construction) and not wood as stated. But the rest of the video was quite informative and interesting. I have always found the Networker design to be quite pleasing. Certainly a lot more attractive than newer units such as the class 385s! The electric variants make some cool traction sounds as they pull away which lends them some character and they are standing the test of time very well for being 25-30 year old units!

[@HSTPaul]

Great video. I know they replaced some of my favourite stock, but I've grown up with the Networkers and I love travelling on them (in the days when I used to travel), personally, I can't really fault them... 99% of the time

[@odenviking]

Just been watching your video. You got partly correct about ABB the first letter is the frim Asea witch was a Swedish firm that producd many modern iconic locos sutch as Rc 1 - Rc 7. Brown Boveri is a swiss company the both mergerd in the late 80ies to form the present company ABB. intresting video as always. ✨✨✨✨✨👍👍🇸🇪

[@mickd6942]

I was occasionally on security at York BREL and can remember the newly cast fibreglass cab fronts fresh from the moulds , I can remember doing shifts when the works was closing too, as a kid spotting at York I remember the bed pan line finished units lined up as the crews refused to work them ( over single manning I believe)

[@markcf83]

I'm old enough to remember their introduction into service on the Great Western suburban network from Paddington. They replaced the very reliable Class 117 units, which would be cascaded onwards to run on other routes.

[@tobysummers471]

They are fantastic units for the most part. Although the 165 /1 units and 166 units are slow when it comes to acceleration. They’ve always been comfortable units at least to me anyway. I have grown up with them. I’m now in my twenties. They were some of the last units built by BR. The 365s designated for the SE division didn’t last long and some came in to service briefly under NSE before hastily being repainted in the similar Connex SouthEastern livery. The last 365s were built in 1995. The last Networker unit in the famous toothpaste livery of red white and blue was unit 465193 which only got repainted in 2007 ! I really enjoy these videos, keep making them !

[@bb-3653]

Who ever designed these units were a genius , tbh, a little upgrade and theyll probably perform better than most new trains given their acceleration speed (tbh they are faster than alot of newer units, definitely faster than electrostars), for example 465 metro cammels are insane when they depart stations. , 365s are great too, idky their in storage when they could be used by another train operating company. Or even have contact shoes reinstalled and brought down south again on third rail . Every ones quick to have the most new train when they could just upgrade some of the already existing ones. It's a waste imo.

[@stevenmoran4060]

⁠it’s not a waste as the operator doesn’t own the trains, the Government does. The privatised railway is a joke as HM Government still pays for the stock and the operators lease them for use. No Tory can explain how this provides better value for the public than running the whole railway themselves. Face it, Network Rail, state owned, Scotrail, state owned, Direct Rail Services, DRS, state owned, Transpennine, state owned, Northern, state owned as it Transport for Wales!

[@Gideonsmythe]

Superb overview, I worked on one of the lines destined for Networker use I saw at close hand the frustration as the delivery date slipped from 1993 to "never" by the time operation of our line passed into private hands. Adtranz who by then ran BREL used successful elements of the Networker in their new Electrostar. In a way, the Electrostar project fulfilled the original plan by providing many commuter lines with brand new air conditioned trains and has only recently been replaced by current manufacturers Bombardier with the new Aventra platform. The original electric Networkers meanwhile have suffered due to Covid. The last 365s running only last week and the 465/466s also now being replaced. Many will remain in storage, now owned by the British government as a quick-fix solution should customer levels reach pre-Corona-Virus levels (highly unlikely given now most firms in London's financial district embracing a largely home-working future). The Electrostar was a fitting and ultimately successful replacement for Network South East's ambitious plan.

[@transportenthusiast11]

I don't like how trains are getting more and more standardised. Some companies (like Southern and Greater Anglia) only have 2-3 types of train nowadays. This leads to some allocations that are completely unsuitable for their jobs, like the 387s on Gatwick Express. The idea of having different trains built specifically for their routes appeals to me, and it's just a better idea in general.

[@lnerfan4468]

Actually the 800 units are now Bedwyn services now

[@12crepello]

Back to 165's on the Newbury- Bedwyn shuttles at the moment due to shortage of 800's with defects.

[@CFRTrainSpotter]

another great video once again, however i must point out that ABB was not just Swiss, but Swedish too.

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video. ☺️ I just subscribed to ur KZbin channel. ☺️ I love the Class 465's the Class 466's and the Class 365's. ☺️

[@henrybn14ar]

Mark 1 stock had steel frames. The original proposal was for a monocoque but unfortunately it was built with heavy underframes and a relatively lightweight body, which was a bit on the flimsy side. The seats were very comfortable.

[@tonybarfield5148]

Please check you facts in future. The Class 165 & Class 166 Network Turbos where only built by British Rail Engineering York Plant. Metro-Cammell plant at Birmingham only built Class 465 /2 four car Networkers & Two Car Class 466 units for the Southern Eastern section of Network Southeast marketed as Kent Link. York BREL Built the Class 465 /0 Series 50 four units between 1991 & 1993 & 47 Class 465 /1 four car between 1993 to 1994. The Last Networkers built where the 40 four car Class 365 Networker Express units which last units built at York works by ABB (Associated Brown Boveri). Class 365 units part financed by Department of Transport, who in 2020 now owner the 365 units.

[@AFCManUk]

11:05 I remember seeing that exact illustration in a book back in the early 90's . .. Can't remember which one though...

[@alstorer]

There's a lengthy legacy from the Networkers, with the intended replacement of slam door stock in the south eastern and south central divisions- and indeed the LTS route- being achieved later using Electrostars, designs that have a clear lineage via Adtranz from the Networker program.

[@Andrewjg_89]

And Great Northern decided to get rid of the Class 365 Networkers. Why would they not want them anymore.

[@SamiltonAdventures]

Northern rail would do well with a couple of 365s once their upgrades and electrification to more lines out of Leeds are complete, shame to see them out of service

[@Skorpychan]

I cringed every time I saw Reading station and surroundings in this. It's just so shamefully ugly, with soot-stained cancerous architecture surrounding it.

[@marosa1801]

Travelled daily to London on the class 365s for years. Really good trains, fast and comfortable. A much more enjoyable ride than the new trains that have sadly replaced them.

[@MrSvenovitch]

"My grandfathers...." had nothing to do with anything whatsoever...they're both long dead and almost forgotten. You will be too quite soon, dear reader.

[@jamieneil6123]

I thoroughly enjoyed this informative video. Travelled on the 165/166 many a time and remembered when they first entered service

[@eastpavilion-er6081]

I've taken 365s between Cambridge and London multiple of times. To be honest, they are mostly alright, but their bodies aren't air-tight enough to pass through tunnels on the ECML at 100mph. Your ears will definitely feel them. 387s are quite better but not perfect, while 700s are absolutely amazing in this regard.

[@randlofs]

An error about ABB, the ASEA part (A) is Swedish. Brown Boveri (BB) is Swiss.

[@captaindreadnought212]

There's something about the sound the 465's motors that brings me joy everytime I hear them

[@N00N01]

*most profitable even tough dropping numbers as a whole No shit, theres a metric tonne of tracks everywhere in the south and hundrets of services along, also shitloads of people traveling to and from london

[@snotwurfit]

Horrible little trains that I used between Maidenhead and Reading. Noisy and the most uncomfortable plastic seats ever.

[@butikimbo9595]

Fantastic video, very useful information indeed. Just had first contact with Networkers through paper adverts to ABB Ad Trans on my country's national rail timetable back cover or page 1. Is a very British front train design complemented by NSE 3 diagonal bands.

[@TANGARASandOSCARS]

2:00 i swear some of the SUB stock had reused underframes from pre-ww2, hence wooden. Mk1s had metal underframes.

[@Titan604]

Some of the EPB's reused underframes too. If you looked at the axleboxes some had B.R. cast on them, some S.R. and a few even sported LB&SCR...

[@physiocrat7143]

The underframes of some EPB units were from the SR and had originally had old timber bodies mounted on them. These were replaced by SR-style all steel bodies in the 1950s.

[@owenchuarbx]

Class 365s have been fully retired as of 2024

[@Mariazellerbahn]

14:37 The air-con fitted cabs look like Budgie the Little Helicopter.

[@b77playz33]

I really liked the look of the networkers even though I haven’t been able to go on one 😅

[@Westhamsterdam]

Why did the southern region go with the 740v third rail in the 1930´s? Why was this not incorporated into the whole network?

[@12crepello]

Very, very long story. Too long to describe here I'm afraid. Mainly due to different parts of the network being modernised at different stages of technology development.

[@DCS1967]

One other thing (others have mentioned the Mk1s not being timber framed), in an otherwise very interesting video. The class 165s no longer go to Bedwyn, that’s where the wires end. You should’ve picked the other line and said Basingstoke! The Reading West to Basingstoke line was rumoured to be being electrified at 25KV (along with Basingstoke to Millbrook for the Freightliner trains) but that was quietly cancelled due to the cost overruns on the Western electrification.

[@peterd788]

The Reading to Basingstoke electrification wasn't cancelled I thought but delayed until 2022.

[@retro_wizard]

Anyone know where to find that 165 rollout video??

[@djcb4190]

Those days... Just by building Forth Bridge...

[@EdgyNumber1]

BREL Class 321 (and equivalents) next?

[@jammiedodger7040]

They should’ve all been built under British Rail.

[@JBFlytography]

Sad to think that all 365s are no longer in service!

[@FluffyChops]

7:43 is that the grove park depot? something about it tell me it is maybe its the track layout that is giveing me that if only the old image was more clear i wouldn't be asking if it was.

[@user-me2qq6lx7i]

Yup it is.

[@FanxiansLeafy]

Suggestion: make a motion history video for the peps

[@bozzalewis8399]

Extremely interesting and informative video, though you forgot one route for the 165s, the route between reading and redhill/Gatwick airport via Guildford

[@maimadha]

Also 165s run on the Reading to Basingstoke route