Two of c2c's new 357 trains have been damaged by an accident at East Ham Depot. They have managed to use the undamaged coaches of both sets to make a hybrid unit (357099) while the damaged bits have been sent to Crewe for repair.

To cover the damaged units (especially as the new Timetable requires 71 of the 74 class 357 units in service) 2 class 321 trains (same type as work between Liverpool St & Southend Vic) have been hired from Silverlink.

The hired trains they will operate the following services:

06.33 Fenchurch Street - Stanford-le-Hope via Rainham

07.27 Stanford-le-Hope - Fenchurch Street via Ockendon

18.12 Fenchurch Street - Pitsea via Rainham.

That's all the services to be worked as it will also involve having a guard on these trains, because of the positioning of the D.O.O. (Driver Only Operation) mirrors.
These units are to be retained for a minimum of three months until repairs are completed on the other ones mentioned.

For those that are interested the two hired units are 321408 & 321428.

The damaged 357s are units 357002 & 357043. These have been used to create 357099 running in service and 357098 which will be going away to crewe for repairs.

Updated 07/12/2006