Project Renatus

This one's a bit of a short post here, but a few days ago I was privileged to finally catch a train that I had been chasing down for months and thought why not write about it whilst on the train?

Project Renatus involves class 321 electric multiple unit
(EMU) trains to bring a new experience to the commuter train.

There's a lot of trains in London and the scene is constantly evolving. From the west, Great Western Railway are introducing new class 387s on their stopper services to Hayes & Harlington, from the north and south there's some new class 700s on the ThamesLink route, coming in South West there's a brand new face: South Western Railway and here, today we focus on the east - a train from the 1980s?

But how is that changing? 

Project Renatus
Commuters and enthusiasts alike who travel on the Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) are probably in awe over the class 345 Aventra trains now operating the TfL Rail route between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield in West Essex but a keen eye may have noticed over the last few months that there are some transformations to the East Anglia fleet. 

Some trains are getting a plain refresh - that just means changing of the seat covers and a bit of a clean up on the inside. Other trains are being involved in 'Project Renatus', which is a full on refurbishment that overhauls the interior and exterior of the units involved. All units involved are class 321 trains, probably the face of East Anglia fleet most would say. For those of you who have been on a class 321, I'm sure many have probably enjoyed it but obviously they don't have that many years left serving destinations from London to Southend, Ipswich, Harwich, Clacton, Braintree, the Crouch Valley and Walton.

Renatus 321321 stands at platform 11 at London Liverpool Street
ready to work an evening Ipswich service.

In a bid to extend their lifetime by a few years, these trains have as aforementioned been involved in a major refurbishment excercise. Although they will be withdrawn from the Greater Anglia fleet starting from 2019 when the entire fleet of trains in the company (including newer trains like the class 360 Desiros and 379 Electrostars) being replaced by, in the 321s case, new Class 720 Aventra trains similar to the new Elizabeth line trains, this was a franchise commitment for the meantime to update the existing rolling stock.

About 30 class 321/3s will be refurbished. This will include the removal of the opening hopper windows, a new air-conditioning system, new seats, brighter lighting, flooring, dedicated wheelchair areas all finished with a new complimentary colour scheme of Abellio's grey, white and red colours in standard class and a wood finish in first class.

The trains are also fitted with new AC motors to improve maintenance and the performance of the fleet, similar to those on South Western Railway's class 455s.

It was like a whole new train
The refurbishment was carried out at Wabtec's Doncaster works, supported by Eversholt Rail Group who owns the trains. 

One had turned up at London Liverpool Street when I was heading towards Shenfield, and this being my first opportunity to catch one, I didn't hesitate twice. The paint job is probably the first thing that hits you, and that the train does still have the smell of fresh paint! But then the doors open, and traditionally there is no door alarm on the 321s for when the doors open - on these trains it's actually the same ones as the class 700s on ThamesLink. 

It was a lot more spacious and brighter I immediately noticed, glancing all around me at how spotless it was. There was a dedicated space to put buggies and wheelchairs, something I don't recall pre-refurbishment so an attempt has been made to make these trains more accessible which is nothing but two thumbs up. As the train had just arrived from the depot, and wasn't departing for about 20 or so minutes it remained relatively empty (only running as far as Witham as well) so I took the opportunity to take a walk through the train and see what first class was like too.

Would you like to travel first class now?

First class, unlike the rest of the train is carpeted and features armrests laying by the side of brand new seats similar to the class 700s. Tables and on-board charging facilites are provided - but I have never travelled first class with Greater Anglia, so I don't actually think much of this is new as it refreshed for the passenger.



But attention would quickly turn to the part of the train that alongside most other people use, I do too - standard class. It is a major transformation, and I'm losing count of how many times I am saying that! For the most of it, the 3+2 seating layout remains, this is to optimise seating capacity on trains particularly for commuters coming in from the Braintree, Chelsmford, Shenfield and Southend areas every morning as standing for over an hour whilst half-asleep doesn't sound like most people's cup of tea.

Change without the change: no charge for charging.

New look interior for the East Anglia commuter.

Another interesting feature is the additional WiFi facility on the train, which to my knowledge at Greater Anglia was only available until now on the Class 90 Intercity trains between Norwich and London Liverpool Street via Ipswich and Colchester and possibly Stansted Express as well. You can also charge your phone for free on these refurbished trains too, no matter what part of the train you're sitting in - that helps when you're running low on juice and still need access to an electrical device. 


This isn't the original design and layout for the new look class 321s, it's actually the second. Eversholt tried something a lot more colourful with unit 321448, to display how refurbishing an existing train unit can extend their lifetime whilst giving them a new train feel at a much lower cost. Although this train will most likely not see service again as it is now a test train.

In comparison to the refreshed units, these trains are far superior and it is saddening that their use will only last just a few years for the time being. The only disadvantage from a passenger perspective that I would say is the new seats are quite a bit harder (this is to do with making seats safer, less prone to vandalism and more fire-resistant in the event of an outbreak) in comparison to before they were converted to Renatus status, but I'm sure the Essex commuter will take a quick warming to these new-look units. 

In my opinion, they are done to a better finish and are more welcoming than the new Aventra trains introduced on the Great Eastern Main Line between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield, because these really are like what new trains should be.

The success of the 'refresh' 321s seems to have hit a bump meanwhile.

Catch these whilst you can, as the new trains are to kick in very soon!

Some last couple of photos.

The befores.....

....and the afters.

Thanks for reading this post and please do stay safe!