Refurbishment
Into the early 2000s, nearly ten years of petty vandalism combined with the poor maintenance programme in place by Connex, the company operating them at the time, left the interiors of the units looking very tired and scruffy. Shortly after Connex' contract was terminated, the trains were given a thorough clean-up including the replacement of all of the windows which had been etched by vandals. As a preventative measure, at the same time they were coated in an anti-scratch film which if scratched could be replaced far more easily and cheaply than replacing the glass itself. This proved highly effective and is subsequently in use on trains throughout London, as well as on buses. Other changes included new lighting which made the interiors brighter and less hostile than before.
In 2005, 35 465/2 units (465201-465234) were given an extensive refurbishment. This included new interior panelling, new flooring, new lighting, new seat moquette (in the same grey and blue design as on the Class 375 Electrostars), and the addition of a new first class seating area at the front and rear of the units, amongst other changes. This was done with the intention that they would be cascaded to the outer-suburban routes alongside the Class 375's. They were reclassified as a separate sub-fleet designated 465/9 (465901-465934).
From 2010, the whole of the class 465/466 saw another refresh, with new seating covers and Advertisement posters.
The Class 465/0s & /1s are being repainted at Railcare Wolverton into Southeastern's new livery which consists of Lilac Doors, Midnight blue equipment covers and a Midnight blue band where the Grey/Silver one used to be. In the first few months of this process the 465s were returned in a plain livery consisting of just lilac doors, but 465025 was the first unit to return with the Midnight blue band but the equipment covers remained white. It wasn't until 465151 was returned in early 2011 that we saw the complete livery which now seems to be standard. Since December 2010, The 465s have been returned to Slade Green Depot on a weekly basis and sent up to Wolverton on this basis as well. This process occurs every Saturday. This process is due to finish in May 2012 once all the 465/0/1s have been repainted. The last 465 to be repainted '465014', was taken to Railcare, Wolverton on 28 April 2012 Marking the end of the Repaint process 1 465 is still yet to be returned from Wolverton (465014)
The Class 465/2s/9s & 466s are being repainted At Wabtec Rail, Doncaster into a variation of Southeastern's new livery. It is identical to the livery the 465/0s & /1s are receiving except the vinyl lower band has not been applied. The first 465/9 to be refreshed was 465906 but it was returned in a 'Mistake' livery of just fully painted yellow doors. Since then all units have returned in the correct livery. It seems the 465/2/9s have been put on hold (since April 2011), to allow Wabtec Rail to concentrate on Repainting the 466s, The first 466s to be sent up were 466022 & 466039. Since March 2010 Wabtec Rail had been returning the 465s/466s on a monthly basis. Since beginning work on the 466s Wabtec now return the units every 2–3 weeks. The last unit is expected to leave the works in Early 2014 But if they continue at the current rate, 2013 looks most likely.
Read more about this topic: British Rail Class 465