Southeastern Marks 200 Years of Passenger Rail with Special Edition Networker

Southeastern unveils a restored Networker train in its classic Network SouthEast livery, celebrating the 200th anniversary of passenger rail services in the UK with a series of special events throughout 2025.

Southeastern has unveiled a special-edition Networker train in its iconic Network SouthEast livery, marking the 200th anniversary of passenger rail services in the UK. The unveiling occurred at Charing Cross Station in February 2025 as part of Railway 200, a year-long celebration of rail travel's past, present, and future.

A Tribute to Network SouthEast and Chris Green

The restored Class 465 Networker, unit number 465908, has been named 'Chris Green' in honour of the former Director of Network SouthEast, whose leadership helped shape the modern railway.

Chris Green, guest of honour at the event, said:

"I remain immensely proud of everything Network SouthEast accomplished and the foundations it built for today's railway—particularly in and around southeast London and parts of Kent. We showed what can be achieved by working together across track and train and putting customers at the heart of our decision-making.

"Today's event was a wonderful reminder of that period of time and an opportunity to recognise the role the Networker fleet played in developing Network SouthEast, as well as the role the fleet continues to play across Southeastern today."

Southeastern driver Ben Patton with 465908 at Charing Cross station. Photo Southeastern

Celebrating the Region's Railway Legacy

The unveiling event brought together leading figures from the rail industry, including Rail Minister Lord Hendy, Southeastern's Managing Director Steve White, former Network SouthEast colleagues, current rail professionals, and railway enthusiasts.

Lord Hendy said:

"Today's unveiling of the Railway 200 Networker was an excellent opportunity for railway colleagues, past and present, and passengers to celebrate this special year for the industry.

“The exciting year-long" series of events and celebrations is not just a nod to the railway’s past; it’s a railway of how the sector has come in providing better services for passengers and the pivotal role they continue to play in society.”

Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern, added:

“The Southeastern Rail" can trace its roots back to 1836, and throughout this year, we will be holding a series of Railway 200-themed events to commemorate how the railway has helped our region live, work, and grow.

“Moreover, we want to "ppeal to a new generation of talent in our communities to consider a career in rail and to join us in writing the next chapter in our history, with a new generation of trains, as we work to build a railway which is purposeful and delivering economic growth, decarbonisation, and social mobility.”

A Legacy of Transformation: Network SouthEast and the Networker Fleet

Network SouthEast (NSE) was created in June 1986 to unify commuter services across the south-southeast of England, including London, Kent, and beyond. Under Chris Green's leadership, NSE introduced the now-iconic red, white, and blue 'signal toothpaste' branding, enhanced service quality, and boosted ridership.

The introduction of the Class 465 'Networker' fleet in 1992, which remains in service today, was a significant factor in this transformation. The newly restored 465908 will continue to operate across the Southeastern network, serving passengers in southeast and northwest Kent. It will also be used for charity rail tours and special Railway 200 events.

Restoring the Livery: A Balance of Heritage and Accessibility

The Railway 200 Networker project began in the summer of 2024, led by a team from Southeastern, Angel Trains, Wabtec, and design specialists Creactive. Although original technical drawings of the NSE livery existed, they lacked key details required for modern rail standards.

A significant challenge was balancing historical accuracy with today's accessibility. For example, the original NSE design did not meet modern door visibility and button positioning standards. As a result, the doors on the restored 465908 are grey instead of blue, with minor modifications to highlight door buttons and ensure compliance with accessibility regulations.

Looking Ahead: Railway 200 and Beyond

As Southeastern celebrates the rich history of rail travel, the Railway 200 Networker is a tribute to the past and a bridge to the future. The railway industry continues to evolve, and Southeastern remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and customer service.

With events planned throughout 2025, passengers across southeast London and southeast Kent can go northwestward to more opportunities to celebrate the railway's legacy and bright future. railway'stes on Railway 200 events and the Railway 200 Networker's schedule, visit Southeastern Networker's website.