Class 310 AM10

The Class 310 was built for high-density semi-fast services along the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Northampton and Birmingham New Street [1]. The Class 310s were the first electric multiple units based on the British Rail Mark 2 coach, and had a lot of effort put into them by British Rail. The exterior design was thanks to the BR Design Panel and used curved glass on the windscreens (later a maintenance nightmare and was replaced by flat glass), a lot of work was put into the quality of the ride and the 310s were the first series built multiple units to have disc brakes [2].
310 109 in Regional Railways livery (KD collection)



Information
Number built: 200 (50 4-car sets)
Built: 1965-67
Builder: BR Derby
Engine: 4 EE546A traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power: 1, 080 hp (810 kW)
Formation: (310/0) Battery Driving Trailer Standard Open Lavatory
(BDTSOL)+Motor Brake Standard Open (MBSO)+
Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+Driving Trailer Composite
Open Lavatory) DTCOL
(310/1) BDTSOL+MBSO+DTCOL

All 310s were originally 4-car sets, later a number was reduced to 3-car sets (310/1) for use on local services around Birmingham. The 310/0s later worked on the London, Tilbury and Southend line after being replaced on the WCML. 

In the post-privatisation era they were operated by LTS Rail and Central Trains but all were withdrawn by 2002. Unfortunately none have been preserved.

[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 230
[2] Alec Swain, Overhead Line Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1990) p. 52