The Class 357 ‘Electrostars’
The new class 357 electrostar EMUs were
ordered by LTS rail in 1998 to replace aging class 310 and 312 stock in use
on the LTS (London, Tilbury and Southend) line and to ensure that the route
lost its nickname ‘the misery line’ for good. After their introduction in
2000/2001, LTS rail renamed themselves ‘c2c’ and with the help of the 357s,
delivered a far better service. Now all LTS line services are run by 357s
except for a few that are run by class 317s.