3 of the 5 the class 357 trains withdrawn from c2c routes last year, to allow services to be strengthened on other routes in the UK, will be returning to c2c from the 5th September 2005.

It is our understanding that they will be used to bring certain Laindon route trains back up to 12 car formation, rather than be used to form additional services.

It is unclear what will happen to the remaining 2 units, c2c stating that the 72 units it will have in service from September, will meet its franchise commitment. With the substantial building work going on in the Grays and Purfleet areas, plus proposals for developing the old Shoebury garrison, TRUG believe c2c will need to deploy all 74 class 357 units on the line within a very short space of time, to avoid overcrowding.

Updated 28/07/2005