SOUTHERN (TRAIN OPERATING COMPANY)

'Southern' is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It is based around routes to south London, Surrey, and Sussex from Victoria and London Bridge.
Southern is owned by Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, who also own the neighbouring ''Southeastern''. Officially named ''New Southern Railway Ltd'', the company was at first branded as ''South Central'' following its takeover of services previously operated by Connex South Central in 2000, before being rebranded as ''Southern'' on 30 May 2004 in a deliberate recollection of pre-nationalisation Southern Railway, with a green roundel logo with ‘Southern’ written in yellow in a green bar.
In early 2006, Southern became the focus of attention from cyclists' groups, as a result of the strict enforcement of their policy prohibiting the use of ordinary cycles during peak hours^[1]. From July 2007, in line with England's ban, smoking will be banned on any Southern property. Southern, and its sister company Southeastern, were both criticized in January 2007 for not wishing to introduce Oyster Pay As You Go on its London routes, stating it was not financially viable. Southern - and other London train operators - have now agreed to introduce Oyster following financial support being offered by Ken Livingstone.
In June 2008, Southern will assume responsibility for the Gatwick Express service between Victoria and Gatwick Airport. The same non-stop service between London and the airport will be maintained, with the addition of through services to and from Brighton during peak times.^[2]

Contents

Routes

Rolling stock

Current fleet

Past fleet

External links

References

See also

Routes

Details of each route (including maps and timetables) are available from Southern’s web site ''(see External links, below)''. The routes, shown in the order listed on the Southern website, are:

★ Brighton Main Line - London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Brighton

★ East Coastway - Brighton to Hastings (via Eastbourne)

★
★ including Marsh Link Line - Hastings to Ashford International

★
★ including "Seaford Flyer" Line - Brighton to Seaford (via Lewes)

★
★ Lewes to Wivelsfield

★ West Coastway - Brighton to Portsmouth and/or Southampton

★
★ Littlehampton branch

★
★ Bognor Regis branch

★ Arun Valley Line - Brighton Main Line to West Coastway (via Horsham)

★ North Downs Line - Redhill to Reigate (peak only)

★ Oxted Lines, divides at Hurst Green to

★
★ East Grinstead

★
★ Uckfield

★ Sutton & Mole Valley Line - London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Horsham (via Dorking) or Guildford (both via Mitcham Junction or West Croydon)

★
★ including Epsom Downs branch

★ Caterham branch line - London (Victoria, Charing Cross and London Bridge) to Caterham (via the Brighton Main Line, diverging at Purley)

★ Tattenham Corner - London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Tattenham Corner (via the Brighton Main Line, diverging at Purley)

★ Victoria to East Croydon via;

★
★ Crystal Palace and Balham

★
★ Selhurst and Balham

★ London Bridge to East Croydon via;

★
★ Sydenham

★
★ Selhurst and Tulse Hill

★
★ Crystal Palace and Tulse Hill

★ South London Lines - Victoria to London Bridge

★
★ "inner" via Peckham Rye

★
★ "outer" via Crystal Palace

★ West London Line - Clapham Junction to Watford Junction (via Willesden Junction)

Rolling stock

Current fleet

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Class 171 ''Turbostar''		Diesel multiple unit	100	160	16	Oxted – Uckfield Brighton - Ashford (Marshlink)	2003 – 2004 (2000)
Class 319		Electric multiple unit	100	160	20	London to Guildford (via West Croydon) London to Horsham (via Three Bridges) London to Horsham (via Dorking) London Metro	1987
Class 377 ''Electrostar''		Electric multiple unit	100	160	182	Entire Southern network	2002 – 2004
Class 455		Electric multiple unit	75	120	46	Suburban services from London Victoria and London Bridge on London Metro	1982
Class 456		Electric multiple unit	75	120	24	Suburban services from London Victoria and London Bridge on London Metro	1990

Past fleet

' Class '	' Image '	' Type '	' Built '	' Withdrawn '	' Notes '
Class 205 ''Thumpers''		diesel multiple units	1957 - 1962	2004	Many units have been preserved.
Class 207 ''Thumpers''		diesel multiple units	1962	2004	Many units have been preserved.
Class 421 (4Cig)		electrical multiple units	1964 - 1972	late 2005	One complete Class 421 unit (no. 1753) has been preserved. In addition several loose vehicles have also been saved.
Class 423 (4Vep)		electrical multiple units	1967 - 1974	late 2005	One complete Class 423 unit (no. 3822) has been preserved. In addition several loose vehicles have also been saved.

External links

★ Southern website

References

1. http://www.southernrailway.com/main.php?page_id=131
2. Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy

See also

★ Rail transport in the United Kingdom