The Class 387 is the final development of the Electrostar family having a higher top speed of 110mp/h. When the final carriages were built in November 2017 [1] it bought to an end eighteen years of continuous Electrostar production with a grand total of 2,805 carriages built of the Classes 357, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379 and 387 [2].
GWR 387 156 at Theale
Information
Number built:
428 (107 4-car sets)
Built:
2014-17
Builder:
Bombardier Derby
Engine:
Bombardier MITRAC DR1000 traction system
(750v DC third rail and 25kv AC OHLE)
Power:
2, 250 hp (1, 900 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)+Motor Second Open (MSO)+Trailer Second Open (TSO)+DMCO
The Class 387 is in service with Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express. They were also in service with Thameslink until being transferred to Great Northern after being replaced by Class 700s and also c2c for a time.
Extermally Class 387s look the same as the likes of the Class 377. Class 387/1s are in service with Great Northern, Heathrow Express and GWR. 387/2s with Gatwick Express and Great Northern and 387/3s with Great Northern.
The Class 323 is a fleet of high-density electric multiple units (EMUs) built in the early 1990s for British Rail. They were built to replace older EMUs coming to the ends of their lives and to supply the Birmingham Cross-City Line, which was finally being electrified with new rolling stock [1]. Forty three three-car units were built by Hunslet Transportation Projects during 1992-3 for the Cross City Line and for the North West for services to Manchester Airport.
West Midland Railway 323 204 at Bromsgrove
Information
Number built:
129 (43 3-car sets)
Built:
1992-93
Builder:
Hunslet TPL
Motor:
4 Holec DMKT 52/24 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
1, 566 hp (1, 168 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Pantograph Trailer
Standard Open Lavatory (PTSOL)+DMSO
The Class 323 proved unreliable when first delivered, the traction package causing a number of problems especially with cooling. It was a couple of years after delivery before they became fully operational. Later on however, Northern's fleet won awards for its reliability.
Twenty six sets currently serve with West Midlands Railway (previously London Midland) and seventeen with Northern Rail, operating on electrified commuter lines around Birmingham and Manchester. The EMUs have completed a retractioning programme replacing the original Gate Turn-Off thyristor equipment with a more advanced Integrated Gate Bipolar Transistor set-up [2].
West Midlands Railway's 323s are due for replacement from 2024 by the Class 730, part of the Bombardier Aventra family, some of the sets are moving to Northern to strengthen their fleet. The Northern fleet is meanwhile being refurbished with LED lighting, new passenger information screens and an accessibility compliant toilet [3].
Northern 323 239 arrives at Holmes Chapel
Back in London Midland days, 323 220 at Lichfield Trent Valley
WMR 323 205 at Chester Road
Aboard a WMR 323
Northern 323 234 at Sandbach
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 262 [2] Ian Walmsley, "A traction heart transplant", Modern Railways (March 2017) p. 43 [3] "First refurbished 323 for Northern", Modern Railways (December 2019) p. 84
The Class 319 are electric multiple units (EMUs) which were built for "Thameslink" cross-London services in the late 1980s. As they were dual voltage (AC overhead and DC third rail) units so they could operate both north and south of the river Thames [1]. The 319 was based on theClass 317 EMU though had a modified front end without a gangway connection, it retained a door for emergency evacuation in the tunnels which they had to travel through when crossing under London.
Northern 319 375 at Rainhill
Information
Number built:
344 (86 4-car sets)
Built:
1987-90
Builder:
BREL York
Engine:
4 GEC G315BZ traction motors (750V DC third rail or 25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
1, 327 hp (990 kW)
Formation:
319/0: Driving Trailer Standard Open (DTSO)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Trailer Standard Open Lavatory (TSOL)+DTSO 319/1: Driving Trailer Composite Open (DTCO) +MSO+TSOL+DTSO
The class was built in two batches, 319/0 and 319/1, which had some first class accommodation plus an improved pantograph. During their long career there have been a number of changes to the fleet. In the 1990s some 319/0s were converted to 319/2 standard with low-density seating and a disabled toilet for London Victoria services through to Brighton. A number of 319/1s have also had their first class seating removed during refurbishment to become 319/3. Some 319/0s have also had first class seating added and a lower density seating arrangement for Bedford-Brighton services as 319/4.
A feature unique to the 319s was an area behind one of the cabs was fitted with fold down seats and made securable with a lockable door in order to carry mail [2]. This area was removed during refurbishment and the ceasing of transporting mail by train.
Class 319s were replaced on Thameslink services by the Class 700[3]. However, there was life remaining in these units and a number were cascaded to the North West (Northern) and South Midlands (London Northwestern Railway). These units have probably finally now reached the end of their service lives with the LNWR 319s leaving service in late 2023 and the Northern units in early 2024.
Work also went ahead to give some of the units a new life as electro-diesel or bi-mode multiple units. A bi-mode version of the 319 called the 319 Flex (Class 769) has been developed by Brush and Porterbrook. Diesel engines and alternators are carried under the driving cars and these feed the unit's traction motors with the electricity needed when away from third rail or overhead lines. Although the project has been much delayed due to technical difficulties and unreliability, the Class 769 entered passenger service with Northern in May 2021 and Transport for Wales in November 2020 though originally the planned service date was 2018 [4][5]. The GWR was also at one stage to use the type on the North Downs Line, though these have not entered service.
Another new role for the Class 319 is for parcels traffic operated by Orion Logistics. A bi-mode version of this has also been created as the Class 768. A Class 319 has also been converted to hydrogen operation as the Class 799!
One notable event in the life of the 319s came in 1994 when 319 008 and 319 009 became the first trains to carry passengers through the Channel Tunnel [6].
LNWR 319 457 at Milton Keynes Central
Northern 319 374 at Huyton
319 364 at Liverpool Lime Street
319 436 in Thameslink livery at Farringdon
Northern 319 368 at Manchester Piccadilly
[1] Brian Haresnape & Alec Swain, Third Rail DC Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1989) p. 85 [2] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 251 [3] "Class 700s Branch Out", Railways Illustrated No. 161 (July 2016) [4] "B-Mode Class 319 Flex from Porterbrook", Railways Illustrated No. 169 (March 2017) [5] "Northern to get bi-modes", Modern Railways (February 2017) [6] Southern E-Group: Class 319 <http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class319_01.html>
The Class 345 is the rolling stock built for the Elizabeth Line, a major new railway project originally known as Crossrail - as it crosses London - which finally opened in 2022. The Class 345 was the first of the Bombardier Aventra family of electric multiple units to enter service on the network.
345 040 at Abbey Wood
Information
Number built:
630 (70 9-car sets)
Built:
2015-19
Builder:
Bombardier Derby
Motor:
Bombardier traction system (25kV AC OHLE)
No Class 341 was built but
it did appear on a carrier bag!
The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) is a 117 kilometre long line stretching from the west (as far as Reading) to the east (Shenfield) of London and serving major London stations such as London Paddington, London Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf. The line has a new deep level tunnel section through the centre of London. Unlike other deep level tunnels in London, the Crossrail tunnels are large enough for standard gauge trains and not tube sized stock. The Crossrail project was first mentioned in 1974 though no serious plans or proposals took place until the 1980s and early 1990s. If the project had begun under British Rail then the rolling stock could have been the Networker derived Class 341.
Finally, concrete proposals were formed up in the early 2000s with construction beginning in 2009, twenty one kilometres of new tunnels were needed under London. The Class 345 entered service in the Summer of 2017, operating under the TfL Rail brand until the Elizabeth Line was opened officially.
The Class 345 is designed to be able to move a lot of people very quickly. The train is designed to be able to carry up to 1, 500 passengers at up to 140 km/h (90 mp/h).
Front end comparison at London Liverpool Street, 345 015 in the centre
Preparing to leave Custom House
In TfL Rail days, 345 007 at London Liverpool Street
The Class 730 is part of the Aventra family and is being built for West Midlands Trains to replace the Class 323, Class 319s and some Class 350s operated by West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.
WMR 730 005 stands at Crewe
Information
Number built:
333 (81 3 or 5-car sets)
Built:
2020-
Builder:
Alstom Derby (Bombardier)
Motor:
Bombardier traction system (25kV AC OHLE)
The first Class 730 was built in 2020 and began testing in 2021. Entry into service is planned for late in 2023, at first the 730s will replace the Class 319s operated by LNWR.
The 730/0s are 3-car sets which will be operated by WMR on the Cross City Line. Five car 730/1 and 730/2 will be operated by LNWR on outer suburban and long-distance routes. Unlike other Aventra family units such as the Class 345, the Class 730 has gangway connections on the ends of the units.
The Class 331 electric multiple unit is part of the CAF Civity family and is the electric counterpart to the Class 195 diesel multiple unit. Forty three sets have been built for Northern, thirty one being three car unit, the other twelve being four car with an extra trailer. The Class 331 entered service with Northern in 2019 replacing the Class 321 and 322.
Northern 331 015 at Crewe
Information
Number built:
177 (43 3 or 4-car sets)
Built:
2019-
Builder:
CAF
Motor:
8 TSA TME 52-15-4 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
2, 360 hp (1, 760 kW)
Formation:
(331/0) DMSL (Driving Motor Standard Lavatory) + PTS (Pantograph Trailer Second) + DMS (Driving Motor Second)
(331/1) DMSL + PTS + TS (Trailer Second) + DMS
Apart from the power generation and drivetrain the Class 331 is identical to the Class 195. The units are one of the fastest accelerating units in British service.
The Class 360 is part of the Desiro family of electric multiple units though unlike their Desiro cousins such as the Class 450 they do not have end unit gangways (though some test units were built with these, later removed [1]). The main batch of these EMUs, the Class 360/1, was built to replace the Class 312 on services out of London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea, Ipswich and Colchester originally for First Great Eastern but later operated by Greater Anglia.
EMR 360 103 at Corby
Information
Number built:
109 (25 4 or 5 car sets)
Built:
2002-05
Builder:
Siemens
Engine:
1TB2016-0GB02 three-phase traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
1, 341 hp (1, 000 kW)
Formation:
360/1: Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)
+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+
Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+DMCO 360/2: Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)
+PTSO+TSO+TSO+DMSO
Another batch (360/2) of 5-car sets was operated by Heathrow Connect on London Paddington - Heathrow stopping services. One was also operated by Heathrow Express on the Heathrow Central -Terminal 4 shuttle. These Heathrow Express units were replaced by the Class 345 in 2020. Greater Anglia's units were replaced by Class 720s around the same time.
The majority (the 360/1 fleet of 21 sets) of the fleet is now operated by East Midlands Railway on the newly electrified Midland Main Line route to Corby. Three other sets are to be used for infrastructure test and development purposes. Two have been scrapped.
Back in Heathrow Express days, 360 205 at Old Oak Common, this unit has been scrapped
360 103 at Kettering
Another view of 360 103
Aboard an EMR 360
360 104 at Corby
[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 275
These electric multiple units were introduced for the newly electrified North Clyde and Cathcart Circle lines in Strathclyde. They were later used on other lines in the Glasgow area. The near identical Class 311 was also built later in the 1960s, though by Craven. Together they were known as the Glasgow Blue Trains due to them being in Caledonian Blue livery, though this was replaced by standard BR blue in the 1970s.
The Class 303 was based on the Mark 1 coach and had Metropolitan-Vickers electrical equipment. After some initial teething troubles including an explosion aboard one in 1960 due to an overheating transformer that injured some passengers [2], the Class 303 became the main electric multiple unit in the Glasgow area until the 1980s. Although some withdrawals had already taken place over half of the class were refurbished in the 1980s. Some later were transferred to north west England for awhile.
However, the Class 303 remained in service in Scotland until the final withdrawal in 2002. One set has been preserved.
[1] Norman Simmons, "Railway review", Airfix Magazine (December 1964) p. 108
[2] Alex Swain, Overhead-line Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1990) p. 34
The Class 350, part of the Siemens Desiro family of electric multiple unit, was built in three batches since 2004 and is operated by London Northwestern (LNWR). The Class 350 is the mainstay of LNWR intercity regional services. The Class 350 has also served, in the past, with London Midland, Central Trains, Silverlink, Southern and First TransPennine Express.
LNWR 350 265 arrives at Berkhamsted
Information
Number built:
348 (87 4-car train sets)
Built:
2004-14
Builder:
Siemens
Motor:
4 Siemens 1TB2016-0GB02 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
(350/1) 750v DC third rail
Power:
2, 010 hp (1, 500 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Composite
Open (TCO)+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+DMSO
The Class 350 is capable of up to 110mp/h (except the 350/2) and collects its power from the 25kV AC overhead wires though some (350/1) can use the 750v DC third rail too. However, these days only operate as AC EMUs. They are part of the Desiro family which also includes the very similar Classes 185, 360, 444 and 450. Indeed the original batch of 350s was originally ordered as Class 450s [1].
London Northwestern Railway use the 350/1, 350/2 (which has high density seating), 350/4 and the more recently built 350/3 on services down the West Coast Main Line to London Euston as well as some local services in the West Midlands. Some are to be replaced by Class 730s.
LNWR 350 115 at Stafford
LNWR 350 406 at Tile Hill
LNWR 350 116 at Berkswell
Aboard a refurbished LNWR 350, with passenger information screens
LNWR 350 243 at Rugeley Trent Valley
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 270
The Class 375 is part of the huge Electrostar family of electric multiple units built in the early 2000s to replace the likes of slap-door stock such as the Class 411 4-CEP on the ex-Southern region third rail DC routes [1]. Most of the Class 375 fleet is third-rail only, though the 375/6 sub-class also has provision for AC overhead electric collection. Twenty eight trainsets have been converted to the Class 377/3 sub-class.
Southeastern 375 629 departs Headcorn
Information
Number built:
438 (10 3- and 102 4-car sets)
Built:
1999-2004
Builder:
Adtranz/Bombardier
Engine:
6 or 4 Adtranz traction motors (750v DC third rail / 25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
375/3 : 1, 341 hp (1, 000 kW) Other subclasses : 2, 012hp (1, 500kW)
Formation:
375/3 : Driving Motor Composite Open (DMCO)+Trailer Standard
Open (TSO)+DMCO 375/6 : DMCO+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Pantograph
Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+DMCO Other subclasses : DMCO+MSO+TSO+DMCO
There are five sub-classes. As mentioned above, the 375/6 is dual-voltage with all others being DC third rail only, the 375/3 are 3-car sets with the other sub-classes all being 4-cars though space has been retained for a pantograph if needed in future.
The 375/9 are high-density sets for outer suburban services with the 375/7 and 375/8 being officially designated as express stock. All Class 375s serve with Southeastern and forms the backbone of their fleet. Southern also did operate the type at one stage though these 375s were converted to Class 377s.
375 603 at London Bridge
375 702 (and 376 023) at Sevenoaks
375 817 at Sevenoaks
375 815 at London Victoria
375 603 at London Victoria
[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 283
