Cambridge Naming and Speed Record

Class 379 EMU named ‘City of Cambridge’.

City of Cambridge

National Express East Anglia's (NXEA) new 'Electrostar' EMU No. 379015 was named 'City of Cambridge' on September 30 after completing a non-stop run from Liverpool Street to Cambridge in a record time.

The Class 379 unit was named at Cambridge station by the city's mayor councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith. It is one of a fleet of 30 ordered for use by NXEA, and the naming officially marks their introduction onto services between Liverpool Street, Stansted Airport and Cambridge. The units will also be used on new semi-fast commuter services between Cambridge and London being introduced from the December 2011 timetable change.

The Bombardier-built trains have four carriages with 20 first and 189 standard class seats. They feature an internal CCTV system, air conditioning, a wi-fi network and regenerative braking.

Prior to the naming No. 379015 made a non-stop run from Liverpool Street to Cambridge in an attempt to set a new fastest time for the route. Leaving at 10.51, the train arrived in Cambridge 48 minutes and 13 seconds later.

This beat the previous record, set in March 1987 by electric locomotive No. 86401 and hauled coaching stock, by four seconds - not a great margin, but significant considering the EMU was given no special dispensation to run fast and all normal line speeds and restrictions had to be observed.

NXEA's managing director Andrew Chivers said: "The new Class 379 trains are transforming the quality of service on our Stansted Express and key Cambridge to Liverpool Street services. We are delighted that the right worshipful Mayor of Cambridge joined us to mark the introduction of the new trains... reflecting the importance of Cambridge as a leading destination on our network."

External Links

• First Capital Connect
• National Express East Anglia