All aboard a special Network SouthEast train for an exclusive Railway 200 tour

For one day only, Southeastern is offering the opportunity to join a special rail service to celebrate 200 years of the modern passenger railway in Britain and the iconic Network SouthEast Networker trains.

Just 250 tickets are available for this very special service, which departs London Victoria on the morning of Saturday 27th September, for a three-hour tour of the Metro route, celebrating the role of the Networker trains in connecting south-east London over the last 30 years.

The guided tour includes a number of stops for photo opportunities as well as a visit to Grove Park Depot, where, schedule permitting the train will go through the train washer – a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse for passengers.

It will then continue through the seldom-used Lee Spur Junction to Slade Green, before travelling through some of London's most historic stations, including Woolwich Arsenal, Charlton, Greenwich, Deptford, London Bridge and finishing at Cannon Street – stations that span nearly two centuries of railway history. 

Tickets are priced at £45 for adults and £30 for under 16’s and are available here: Southeastern Railway 200 Networker Tour

Southeastern Operations manager, Steve Higham-Gray, organised the tour: 

“We all look at the Class 465 Networker today and see its dated technology and lack of air conditioning, but in its day, it marked a revolutionary change in the experience of passengers on our railway.

“It was the equivalent of replacing a Bakelite telephone with a smartphone. Alongside a more comfortable ride, better brakes and electrically operated doors, the Networker played a huge role in the development of Network SouthEast and, to this day, continues to connect our communities in London and beyond.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the role of the Networker and the communities it serves, and I look forward to welcoming passengers on our special train for this special journey.”

The Class 465 Networker fleet was first introduced to passenger service by Network SouthEast in 1992.  Network SouthEast was created by Chris Green, who at the time was the British Rail Sector Director for London & South East.

The organisation aimed to improve service quality and ridership, as well as providing a recognisable brand for customers with the distinctive red, white and blue livery of the Networkers

Tickets for the Network SouthEast Networker tour are available here: Southeastern Railway 200 Networker Train Tour Tickets, Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Every guest will receive a special Railway 200-themed gift bag, featuring a range of exclusive items and a colourful design by 'Lisa Illustrations'.

By joining this event, guests will not only get to see a little-seen part of railway history, but they will also support good causes. All profits from ticket sales will be donated to five fantastic railway charities: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission, and the Transport Benevolent Fund CIO.

The full schedule for the special service is as follows: