British Rail Class 357

The Clubman/Turbostar/Electrostar platform is a modular design, optimised for speedy manufacture and easy maintenance. It consists of an underframe, which is created by seam-welding a number of aluminium alloy extrusions, upon which bodyside panels are mounted followed by a single piece roof, again made from extruded sections. The car ends (cabs) are made from fibreglass and steel, and are Huck-bolted onto the main car bodies. Underframe components are collected in 'rafts', which are bolted into slots on the underframe extrusion. The mostly aluminium alloy body gives light weight to help acceleration and energy efficiency. Electrostar units have a shorter {{convert|20|m|ftin|adj=mid|-long}} version of the Turbostar's {{convert|23|m|ftin|adj=mid|-long}} body.{{cite web|url=http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/images/pic_library/pdf/Class%20357.pdf|title=Porterbrook – Class 357|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726104758/http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/images/pic_library/pdf/Class%20357.pdf|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

Class 357 units were built with {{convert|100|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} capability, although the maximum line speed on the London, Tilbury and Southend line (the Essex Thameside franchise) is at present only {{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. They all have air conditioning, air suspension, CCTV,{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202000/Informed%20Sources%2008%202000%20p4.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources August 2000|author=Roger Ford|date=August 2000|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031644/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202000/Informed%20Sources%2008%202000%20p4.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}} standard class 3+2 Chapman seating throughout, 28 computers,{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2002%202006%20p4.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources February 2006 – Golden Spanners won the hard way|author=Roger Ford|date=February 2006|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031659/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2002%202006%20p4.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}} sliding plug doors, and rheostatic and air disc brakes, and now have regenerative capacity. As with all Electrostar units, they use insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) AC motor drives. They have Tightlock fully automatic couplers but are only interoperable within their own class with other Class 357 units. There are orange LED dot matrix displays at the front of each unit which show the time due at the destination and the name of the destination, e.g. "17.10 Shoeburyness", or "Not in Service" or "Empty to Depot" as necessary. The time due at the destination updates to the new time due if the train is delayed. There are also LED displays inside, at the end of each carriage above the gangway which give route and customer service information.

File:357015 Upminster.jpg

File:357015 MSO Interior.jpg

The first batch of 44 Class 357/0 units were ordered at a cost of £200{{nbsp}}million by Prism Rail in March 1997{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202001/Informed%20Sources%2010%202001%20p3.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources October 2001|author=Roger Ford|date=October 2001|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031736/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202001/Informed%20Sources%2010%202001%20p3.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}} to replace the {{brc|310}} slam-door units, and allow the return of 18 hired {{brc|317}} sliding-door units to their other franchise West Anglia Great Northern. Construction started in 1999, and they are currently leased by c2c from Porterbrook. They were built in the green LTS Rail colour scheme, painted with a white livery with dark green doors and underskirt (bottom body panels). Their interior consists of dark green seat moquette with alternating rows of large flecks of light blue and light green, light green plastic seat tops with slots in the side for reservation tickets (which are not used) with dark green insets, a stone pattern linoleum floor, purple plastic interior, light green handrails and metal luggage racks with large circular perforations and light green edges, and dark green stickers on the inter-carriage gangway doors. The "door out of order" display is in between the interior door buttons, with the door close button above and the door open button below, unlike in the 357/2 units. These units were fitted with the voice of Julie Berry.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mind-the-gap-meet-the-voices-behind-the-iconic-tube-announcements-a3426881.html|title='Mind the Gap': Meet the voices behind London's iconic Tube announcements|author=Francesca Gillett|date=24 December 2016|work=Evening Standard|access-date=30 April 2022|archive-date=30 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430104137/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mind-the-gap-meet-the-voices-behind-the-iconic-tube-announcements-a3426881.html|url-status=live}}

All 44 units were due to enter service by 1 November 1999,{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202001/Informed%20Sources%2001%202001%20p4.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources January 2001|author=Roger Ford|date=January 2001|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031741/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202001/Informed%20Sources%2001%202001%20p4.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}} but were marred by late deliveries due to safety certification problems{{cite web |author=The Railway Centre.com |year=2002 |title=The Railway Centre.com: Class 357 – Technical Data |url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_357.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030311204133/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_357.html |archive-date=11 March 2003 |access-date=1 August 2009}} and reliability problems, resulting in the delivery of the units during 2000, and leading to their temporary withdrawal in October 2001. As a result, Bombardier built two further units free of charge, bringing the total to 46 units.{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202000/Informed%20Sources%2002%202000%20p4.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources February 2000|author=Roger Ford|date=February 2000|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031750/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202000/Informed%20Sources%2002%202000%20p4.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}}

Units are formed of four vehicles, and are numbered in the range 357001–357046. Each unit is formed of two outer driving motors (each powered by two Adtranz asynchronous traction motors), an intermediate motor (powered by two Adtranz asynchronous traction motors) and an intermediate trailer. The technical description of the formation is Driving Motor Open Standard A (DMOS-A)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Pantograph Trailer Open Standard Lavatory (PTOSL)+Driving Motor Open Standard B (DMOS-B).

File:357210 Fenchurch Street.jpg

Prism Rail was purchased by National Express in September 2000, and the franchise was rebranded as c2c once the Class 357/0 units were in service. The second batch of 28 Class 357/2 units were ordered at a cost of £92{{nbsp}}million by c2c in 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/adtranza.htm|title=UK Business Park – UK Activity Report – ADtranz|publisher=UK Business Park|date=5 July 2000|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215082719/http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/adtranza.htm|archive-date=15 February 2012|url-status=dead}} primarily to replace the remaining {{brc|312}} units. Construction started in 2001, and they were delivered between September 2001 and May 2002. They are owned by Angel Trains and leased by c2c, at an initial cost of £900 a day (including rental and maintenance). Due to the rebranding, they have a white livery with grey doors,{{cite web |url=http://johnlawontherails.fotopic.net/p24963239.html |title=Fotopic.net: The London, Tilbury & Southend |author=John Law |date=15 January 2006 |access-date=4 August 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and are internally branded to the c2c purple colour scheme with magenta handrails, magenta stickers on the inter-carriage gangway doors with c2c branding: "culture2club2commuters2culture2club2", and a light grey linoleum floor with white, dark grey and light purple flecks. The "door out of order" display is above the door close button, which is above the door open button, unlike in the 357/0 units. These units were fitted with DVA with the voice of Julie Berry.

The last slam-door units were withdrawn on 31 March 2003, resulting in c2c being the first train operating company (TOC) to replace its entire fleet with new trains.

The 357/2, have started to receive a refurbishment.{{update inline|date=January 2017}} This is almost identical to the 357/3, however there has been no seats removed and no grab handles fitted. A similar refurbishment will be placed onto the 357/0.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Units are currently numbered in the range 357201–357211. The formation of each four-car unit is identical to that of the Class 357/0 units. 357212-357228 have been converted to 357/3.

File:c2c metro train.jpg

On 27 July 2015, unit 357323 was debuted by c2c in a revised configuration, with wider aisle from 2+2 seating, instead of the common 3+2 arrangement. It also featured the 'refreshed' internal livery with pink back handles, and grab handles in the gangway. They now feature pink "metro" stickers on the doors and windows adjacent to the doors.

{{Clear left}}

File:357029 at Upminster Bridge.jpg

File:Hugh llewelyn 357 010 (6269048009).jpg

In June 2001, units 357025 and 357027 had vinyl stickers applied with two prototype variants of the proposed purplish blue and magenta c2c livery at Bombardier's Derby Litchurch Lane Works. They were delivered to East Ham EMU Depot for evaluation. Each set of vinyl stickers cost about £40,000.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} Rollout of the new livery on the whole fleet began by mid-2002, and was completed over the next three months. Hence, although the underlying paintwork and interiors of the two sub-classes were different when delivered, their exterior appearance is identical, and the only way to distinguish them externally is by their numbering. When the Quiet Zone car was introduced in each set, this was marked on the exterior of the doors by a magenta and white sticker.

On 19 April 2004, the unusually large rate of increase in atmospheric pressure led to an airlock and failure of hydraulic pressure on eight of the Class 357 trains which caused their computer's software to lower their pantographs and so be unable to collect power from the overhead lines, causing service disruption.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/apr/20/transport.world |title=Wrong type of pressure halts new trains |first=Martin |last=Wainwright |date=20 April 2004 |access-date=19 July 2008 |location=London |work=The Guardian}} After their technical problems were sorted out, they have since been the most reliable fleet of EMUs in the United Kingdom,{{cite press release |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_achieves_its_best_ever_train_service_punctuality |title=c2c Online – c2c achieves its best-ever train service punctuality |author=c2c |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316200829/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_achieves_its_best_ever_train_service_punctuality |archive-date=16 March 2009 |url-status=dead }} winning Best Modern Era EMU at the Golden Spanners Awards from 2005 to 2007, for an average annual miles per casualty (MPC) figure of 43,180 in 2005,{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2001%202006.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources January 2006: Train reliability – electrics excel but diesels disappoint |first=Roger |last=Ford |date=January 2006|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031757/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2001%202006.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite press release | url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/most_reliable_electric_trains_in_the_country_win_award_for_c2c | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517005418/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/most_reliable_electric_trains_in_the_country_win_award_for_c2c | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 May 2008 | title=c2c Online – Most reliable electric trains in the country win award for c2c | author=c2c | date=24 May 2006 | access-date=1 August 2009}} 37,391 in 2006,{{cite press release | url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_s_trains_win_top_award_for_second_year_running | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324012610/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_s_trains_win_top_award_for_second_year_running | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 March 2008 | title=c2c Online – c2c's trains win top award for second year running | author=c2c | date=7 December 2006 | access-date=1 August 2009}} and 45,459 in 2007{{cite press release | url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_wins_top_train_award_again | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216072238/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/latest_updates/news/c2c_wins_top_train_award_again | archive-date=16 December 2007 | title=c2c Online – c2c wins top train award again | author=c2c | date=12 December 2007 | access-date=1 August 2009 | url-status=dead }} (defined as the number of miles a train runs before a defect develops causing 5{{nbsp}}minutes or longer delay).

The Class 357 units are all normally maintained by Alstom service technicians at c2c's East Ham Depot,{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/9489827/East-Ham-Railway-Depot |title=Wikimapia – East Ham Railway Depot London|access-date=1 August 2009}} which won the Golden Spanner Award for Maintenance Team of the Year (Rolling Stock) at the Annual National Rail Awards in 2005 and 2006{{cite web | url=http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/media/news/corp_news/pr2006/2006-11-09/ | title=National Express Group PLC – NX scoops the honours at National Rail Awards | author=National Express | date=11 September 2006 | access-date=30 July 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129064605/http://nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/media/news/corp_news/pr2006/2006-11-09/ | archive-date=29 November 2010 }} and their Shoeburyness depot.

In December 2005, c2c's East Ham depot began putting advertising vinyl wraps on some carriages, starting with branding the MSO intermediate trailer car 74716 in set 357216 as a 'Cough-Free Zone' by the cough syrup makers Benylin for the winter.{{cite magazine |last1=Morrison |first1=Brian |year=2005 |title=Cough-free zone on c2c 'Electrostars' |magazine=The Railway Herald |volume=1 |issue=25 |pages=9 |url=http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue25.pdf |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002131047/http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue25.pdf |url-status=dead }}

In June 2009, c2c and Bombardier began a repainting programme on the Class 357 units{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/content/download/13056/166179/c2c_CommuterNews4ppA5june_09.pdf |title=c2c Online: c2c Commuter News – June 2009 |author=c2c |date=June 2009 |access-date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228193342/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/content/download/13056/166179/c2c_CommuterNews4ppA5june_09.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2010 |url-status=dead }} beginning with 357203. When the vinyl wraps were taken off the Class 357 units, slight corrosion caused by water getting trapped behind the vinyl was found in the aluminium around the doors, so a bodywork maintenance and repair programme was carried out. The corrosion was treated by rubbing the aluminium down and repainting it with two-pack paint. More serious corrosion caused by water seeping in through a poorly-sealed join between panels was found behind several panels on the lower part of the vehicle bodysides, which had spread to the outside. A thick, tight mastic seal was introduced between the panels to prevent this issue from re-occurring. To save money during construction, stainless steel bolts were used to secure the external aluminium panels in place; however, this resulted in galvanic corrosion of the more reactive aluminium, so the bolts have been replaced by aluminium ones. Salts in water catalyse corrosion, a problem for the c2c fleet as they run beside the sea.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

After repair at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, 357203 was repainted and re-entered service on 30 July 2009. Similar work was carried out on the rest of the fleet over the next 21 months at Bombardier's Ilford Depot, where the units were repainted into their original white colour, but with dark blue doors, and branded with both "national express" and "c2c" logos in lower-case. The "Quiet Zone" stickers are now white with sky-blue lettering instead of magenta with white lettering.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021|reason=Removed citation under WP:UGC}} c2c ran a special "Farewell to the Blue Train" railtour service to commemorate the last day of running in passenger service of the blue livery on Saturday 5 March 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/bluetrain/|title=c2c Online: Last Blue Train Takes to the c2c Rails|author=c2c|date=5 March 2011|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216075911/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/bluetrain|archive-date=16 February 2011|url-status=dead}}

Special liveries include unit 357318 which has a Pride livery for Southend Pride 2022,{{cite web | url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/taking-pride-in-our-community-c2c-celebrates-50-years-of-pride-with-first-trainbow/ | title=Taking pride in our community: C2c celebrates 50 years of Pride with first Trainbow | Trains to/From London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail | date=13 July 2022 | access-date=5 June 2023 | archive-date=5 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605194432/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/taking-pride-in-our-community-c2c-celebrates-50-years-of-pride-with-first-trainbow/ | url-status=live }} unit 357008 "going gold" for a Leigh-On-Sea based charity Gold Geese. The gold livery was unveiled on 1 September 2022 raising awareness for Childhood Cancer across the UK and Essex.{{cite web | url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/local-charity-gold-geese-calls-on-essex-to-go-gold-for-childhood-cancer-this-september/ | title=Local charity Gold Geese calls on Essex to 'Go Gold' for childhood cancer this September | Trains to/From London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail | date=September 2022 | access-date=5 June 2023 | archive-date=5 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605195935/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/local-charity-gold-geese-calls-on-essex-to-go-gold-for-childhood-cancer-this-september/ | url-status=live }} In March 2023, unit 357016 was unveiled in a special livery for a partnership with the British Transport Police, to publicise their new App "Railway Guardian". The blue livery features QR codes leading customers to download the new app in order to help improve the safety for passengers travelling on the railway.{{cite web | url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/all-aboard-for-safer-journeys-c2c-unveils-new-train-to-promote-british-transport-police-app/ | title=All Aboard for Safer Journeys: C2c Unveils New Train to Promote British Transport Police App | Trains to/From London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail | date=27 March 2023 | access-date=5 June 2023 | archive-date=7 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607081442/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/all-aboard-for-safer-journeys-c2c-unveils-new-train-to-promote-british-transport-police-app/ | url-status=live }}

On 9 November 2006, unit 357028 was sent to the Velim railway test circuit in the Czech Republic for safety testing to obtain certification for a regenerative braking system which had been trialled for many months on the Class 357 fleet.{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2011%202006%20p4.htm |first=Roger |last=Ford |title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources November 2006|date=November 2006|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604031847/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202006/Informed%20Sources%2011%202006%20p4.htm|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead}} In March 2007, 357028 returned from the Czech Republic, having gained safety certification, and c2c began fitting the regenerative braking systems to the rest of its Class 357 fleet, becoming the first UK train operator to do so.{{cite web|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2007/c2c_takes_the_lead_in_energy_saving_train_travel|title=c2c Online – c2c takes the lead in energy saving train travel|author=c2c|date=3 June 2007|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607051530/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2007/c2c_takes_the_lead_in_energy_saving_train_travel|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK%20News%20June%2007/040607_c2c.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028021054/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK%20News%20June%2007/040607_c2c.html | url-status=usurped | archive-date=28 October 2007 | title=c2c launches major energy saving with re-gen braking on Class 357 fleet | website=TheRailwayCentre.com | date=4 June 2007 | access-date=8 August 2008}} On 3 June 2007, the eve of World Environment Day, unit 357010 was given an all-over green vinyl sticker livery with magenta doors{{cite web | url=http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/p42559961.html | title=Fotopic.net: David Dawson's Railway Photos – To promote the use of regenerative braking on the 357s, c2c have outshopped 357 010 in this eye-catching livery |first=David |last=Dawson | date=23 June 2007 | access-date=4 August 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and the tagline:

"All c2c trains are greener now – find out more at – [http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/ www.c2c-online.co.uk] – c2c – the greener way to go" to highlight the completion of the scheme, which has given energy savings of up to 21%.{{cite web |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/green_credentials |title=c2c Online – Green Credentials |author=c2c |date=4 June 2007 |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509104951/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/green_credentials |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202007/Informed%20Sources%2007%202007.htm|title=Alycidon Rail: Modern Railways – Informed Sources July 2007 |first=Roger |last=Ford |date=July 2007|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218072455/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ca14/ALYCIDON%20RAIL/INFORMED%20SOURCES%20ARCHIVE/INF%20SRCS%202007/Informed%20Sources%2007%202007.htm|archive-date=18 February 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//regenerative-braking-boosts-green-credentials.html |magazine=Railway Gazette International |title=Regenerative braking boosts green credentials |first=Roger |last=Ford |date=2 July 2007 |access-date=20 December 2010 |archive-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517045912/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/regenerative-braking-boosts-green-credentials.html |url-status=dead }} 357010 lost its green livery in March 2011 as part of the fleet's corrosion repair and repainting project.

File:Unit 357207 at Dagenham Dock in Jan 2025.jpg

On 15 May 2024 it was announced that Alstom would be painting and repairing c2c's class 357s over a 24-month period at their depot in Ilford.{{Cite web|url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/5/alstom-secures-8-million-contract-c2c-paint-and-repair-class-357-fleet-uk|title=Alstom secures £8.8 million contract from c2c for paint and repair of Class 357 fleet in the UK|website=Alstom|access-date=18 May 2024|archive-date=19 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519001853/https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/5/alstom-secures-8-million-contract-c2c-paint-and-repair-class-357-fleet-uk|url-status=live}}

The work includes the repair of huck bolt covers, body end corrosion, side vent corrosion, sole bar corrosion, roof corrosion and the repaint of all the units.

The first refreshed unit, 357207, entered into service on 10 December 2024. The programme is expected to take 24 months to complete with each unit taking 20 days to complete. {{Cite web|url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/trenitalia-c2c-embarks-on-major-project-to-repaint-entire-class-357-fleet/|title=Trenitalia c2c embarks on major project to repaint entire Class 357 fleet | Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail|first=Emma|last=Winfield|date=16 January 2025|access-date=16 January 2025|archive-date=16 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116164955/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/trenitalia-c2c-embarks-on-major-project-to-repaint-entire-class-357-fleet/|url-status=live}}

The two fleets of units are used interchangeably on all c2c services on the London, Tilbury and Southend line. Trains are generally formed of a single unit (4 cars) or two units (8 cars) working in multiple during off-peak times, and strengthened to two or three units (12 cars) during the morning and evening peak times. 71 of the 74 units are required to run the current normal timetable.

Five units were loaned to sister National Express operator National Express East Anglia (then branded 'one' Railway) for a period ending in 2006 to accommodate the transfer of three Class 321/3 units to Silverlink (themselves to cover for Class 321/4 units hired to Central Trains). The units were generally used on London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria services on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML).{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

In January 2005, it was announced that an on-train television service would be trialled on unit 357014. The system consisted of six television screens and ten speakers in each carriage, and was also intended to be used to deliver real-time travel information. In June 2006 the '360 On-Board Television' service ran into financial difficulties when c2c's partners in the project, TNCI (UK), ceased trading, and the equipment was removed. c2c has indicated it will recommence the roll-out should a suitable partner be found for the scheme.{{cite web|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/tv_on_trains_trials_stopped|title=c2c Online: TV on Trains – Trials Stopped|author=c2c|date=20 June 2006|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607051417/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/tv_on_trains_trials_stopped|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}} The same unit, 357014, had Wi-Fi installed using equipment from Nomad Digital and T-Mobile, and tested for a little-publicised 6-month trial from 14 May 2007. The service was free to use during the trial.{{cite web |url=http://www.itpro.co.uk/114149/c2c-starts-onboard-wi-fi-trial | title=IT PRO – c2c starts onboard Wi-Fi trial | author=Maggie Holland | date=25 May 2007 | access-date=4 August 2009}} c2c have now fitted free Wi-Fi and an on-board streaming service to all of its fleet.{{cite web|url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/onboard/free-onboard-wifi-and-entertainment/|title=Free onboard WiFi and entertainment – Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail|website=c2c-online.co.uk|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222162654/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travelling-with-us/onboard/free-onboard-wifi-and-entertainment/|url-status=live}}

In October 2007, c2c announced that the country-end carriage of each unit (i.e. Shoeburyness end of the trains) would be made into a "Quiet Zone", where the use of mobile phones and personal audio players is prohibited. The "Quiet Zone" was introduced in early 2008 and is indicated by magenta and white stickers on the outside of the carriage doors and within the carriage.{{cite web | url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/quiet_zone | title=c2c Online: Quiet Zone | author=c2c | year=2008 | access-date=19 July 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509170105/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/quiet_zone | archive-date=9 May 2008 | url-status=dead }} A trial was carried out to install special film onto the windows of the Quiet Zone carriages to block all mobile phone and Wi-Fi signals. The trial was not successful and the project was not continued.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

On 5 November 2006 at about 00:30, 357043 hit a red Ford Escort which had come off the road and crashed through a boundary fence onto the railway line. The driver of the car had lost control off New Road near the junction with Laurel Close in Leigh-on-Sea. The driver of the car and its passengers left the car before it was hit a few minutes later by the train. A police officer at the site tried to flag the train down before it reached the car but, although the train had slowed before hitting the car, it pushed the car about 100 yards along the line. The train driver and the four passengers on the train were uninjured. The left front valance of 357043 was damaged. There are varying reports on the age of the driver and the number of passengers in the car.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23373480-details/Lucky+escape+for+joyriders+who+crashed+on+rail+line/article.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505143844/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23373480-details/Lucky+escape+for+joyriders+who+crashed+on+rail+line/article.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=London Evening Standard: Lucky escape for joyriders who crashed on rail line |date=6 November 2006 |access-date=1 August 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/search/1006290.Car_hit_by_train/|title=Echo News: Car hit by train|author=Steven Blaakman|date=6 November 2006|access-date=1 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304031237/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/search/1006290.Car_hit_by_train/|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=dead}}

Accidents as well as units 357028 and 357045 being out of service at the same time led to two spare Class 321/4 units, 321408 and 321428, being leased from sister National Express train operator Silverlink for three months for use on weekday peak time services between Fenchurch Street and Pitsea via Rainham, and Fenchurch Street and Laindon to cover for the unavailable Class 357 units. The Class 321 units were used with guards as they are incompatible with the positioning of c2c's face-on Driver Only Operation (D.O.O.) mirrors.{{cn|date=May 2024|reason=Forums removed}}

Units 357031 and 357320 were involved in a collision in East Ham depot in October 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/carriage-availability/|title=Carriage availability – Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex with c2c Rail|website=c2c-online.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192602/https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/carriage-availability/|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=dead}} There were regular short-formations between these dates while the trains were sent off to Wolverton for repairs. They later re-entered service in early April 2018.{{Cite tweet|user=RailOpsGroup |title='We exist to make the rail industry a better place'We were recently the operator of choice to move a @c2c_rail Class 357 from East Ham EMUD to Wolverton works. Seen here in the early hours at Barking, the crew couldn't resist a team photo! |number=956885980618854403}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}}

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Several unit have been given names, many of them after longer-serving employees.

• 357001 – Barry Flaxman{{cite web|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/c2c_honours_memory_of_route_champion|title=c2c Online: c2c honours memory of route champion|author=c2c|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607052202/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/c2c_honours_memory_of_route_champion|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}
• 357002 – Arthur Lewis Stride 1841-1922
• 357003 - Southend city on sea (formerly Jason Leonard)
• 357004 – Tony Amos{{cite web|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/c2c_honours_long_serving_employee_with_train_naming_ceremony|title=c2c Online: c2c honours long-serving employee with train naming ceremony|author=c2c|date=24 May 2006|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607052251/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/c2c_honours_long_serving_employee_with_train_naming_ceremony|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}
• 357005 – Southend 2017 Alternative City of Culture named at a ceremony at Leigh-on-Sea on 6 March 2015, in support of the town's naming as Alternative City of Culture 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.davidamess.co.uk/news/c2c-train-naming-recognition-southend-alternative-city-culture-2017|title=David Amess MP: c2c train-naming in recognition of Southend as the Alternative City of Culture 2017|author=David Amess MP|date=5 March 2015|access-date=6 March 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212907/http://www.davidamess.co.uk/news/c2c-train-naming-recognition-southend-alternative-city-culture-2017|url-status=live}}
• 357011 – John Lowing
• 357028 – London, Tilbury & Southend Railway 1854-2004
• 357029 – Thomas Whitelegg 1840-1922
• 357030 – Robert Harben Whitelegg 1871-1957
• 357201 - Ken Bird
• 357202 – Kenny Mitchell
• 357203 – Henry Pumfrett
• 357204 – Derek Flowers{{cite magazine |title=Electrostar Fleet Lists|magazine=Modern Locomotives Illustrated |date=April 2012 |issue=194 |pages=88–95}}
• 357205 – John D‘Silva
• 357206 – Martin Aungier
• 357207 – John Page named in September 2008, after his 40 years' service as a driver and manager.{{cite magazine|title= |magazine=Railway Herald|date=28 September 2008|page=}}{{Full citation needed|date=November 2023}}
• 357208 – Dave Davis named in December 2007, after his 41 years' service as a driver.{{cite news|date=5 January 2007|title=|work=Thurrock Gazette}}{{Full citation needed|date=November 2023}}
• 357209 – James Snelling{{cite press release|url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/fifty_years_of_service_recognised_on_c2c|title=c2c Online: Fifty years of service recognised on c2c|author=c2c|date=19 June 2006|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607052327/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us__1/press_centre/news_archive/2006/fifty_years_of_service_recognised_on_c2c|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}
• 357213 – Upminster IECC
• 357217 – Allan Burnell
• 357327 – Southend United{{cite press release |url=http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/press_centre/latest_news/wembley_adventure|title=c2c Online: c2c Train Named in Honour of Southend United's Wembley Adventure |author=c2c |date=28 March 2013 |access-date=5 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408031538/http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about_us/press_centre/latest_news/wembley_adventure |archive-date=8 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=Robert |title=British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2024 |year=2024 |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |location=Sheffield |isbn=978-1-915984-18-0 |page=290 }}

A nameplate is placed above the leading carriage's foremost passenger window between the cab door and the air intake on either side.

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{{Bombardier Turbostar, Electrostar and Alstom Aventra families}}

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Category:Adtranz multiple units

357

Category:Train-related introductions in 2000

Category:25 kV AC multiple units