British Rail Class 379

British Rail Class 379
Electrostar
Great Northern Class 379 at Finsbury Park in 2025
The interior of Standard Class aboard a Class 379
In service
  • Great Northern:
  • 10 February 2025 – Present
  • Other operators:
  • March 2011 – February 2022
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built atDerby Litchurch Lane Works
Family nameElectrostar
Replaced
Constructed2010–2011
Number built30
Number in service20
Successor
Formation
  • 4 cars per unit:
  • DMSO-MSO-PTSO-DMCO
Fleet numbers379001–379030
Capacity
  • 209 seats
  • (20 first-class, 189 standard)
Owners
Operators
Depots
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy, with steel cab ends
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)
Traction systemIGBT–VVVF (Bombardier MITRAC DR1000)
Power output1.68 MW (2,250 hp)
Acceleration0.65 m/s2 (2.1 ft/s2)
Electric system25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collectionPantograph
UIC classification2′Bo′+2′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: Bombardier P3-25
  • Unpowered: Bombardier T3-25
Braking systemsAir (disc) and regenerative
Safety systems
Coupling systemDellner 12
Multiple workingWithin class, and with Classes 375, 376, 377, and 378
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 379 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train which was designed and built by Bombardier Transportation. The trains are part of the company's extensive Electrostar family.

In 2007, new trains were proposed to increase capacity on the West Anglia Main Line (WAML), as well as enable the withdrawal of ageing units such as the Class 317 EMUs. 30 4-car Electrostar EMUs were ordered from Bombardier Transportation at a cost of £155 million in 2009, entering service in 2011 as Class 379. They became the principal type operated on the Stansted Express service; as well as running services between London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, Cambridge and Kings Lynn. The fleet was initially operated by National Express East Anglia (NXEA) and subsequently by Greater Anglia.

In early 2022, the fleet was withdrawn from service by Greater Anglia owing to high leasing costs, entering long-term storage. In 2025, they returned to service on the Great Northern route.