On the 30th January 2008, the Department for Transport published its rolling stock strategy. This is the 'detail' behind the much publicised plans for up to 1,300 new train carriages over the next 5 years or so.

Under the plans, c2c is slated to get 40 carriages, equivalent to 10 trains, some time around 2012 to tie in with the proposed lengthening of Thurrock station platforms. These trains will not be new build, but 'cascaded' from other routes, as they get new trains. No firm plans yet on the the type, but either class 317 which were used on the line in the late 1990's or class 321 which were used as a short tem measure on some Tilbury trains last year, are candidates.

More details will be revealed as these outline plans are funded.

The reason we will not be getting new build trains is due to the fact c2c is almost unique amongst the train operating companies, in that most of its traffic is in the morning & evening peak, so only around 16 trains, out of the fleet of 74, are needed to run the off peak timetable. Therefore, buying 10 new trains, for them to sit in the sidings most of the day, is not cost effective!

Updated 02/02/2008

It now seems that the cascaded stock will consist of old class 321 units formerly used by Silverlink County / London Midland

Update 03/03/2008