List of British Rail electric multiple unit classes

Last updated

This article lists every electric-powered multiple unit allocated a TOPS classification or used on the mainline network since 1948, i.e. British Railways and post-privatisation. For a historical overview of electric multiple unit development in Great Britain, see British electric multiple units.

Contents

British Rail operated a wide variety of electric multiple units for use on electrified lines:

AC EMUs and dual-voltage EMUs

First generation

TOPS classPre-TOPS className or InformationBuiltQuantity (sets)NotesImageWithdrawnScrapped
 ex-Ex-MR units Lancaster-Morecambe-Heysham19083 (4-car)1953All
Class 300  Proposed parcels unitsPlanned parcels conversation from Class 307Never builtNever built
  AM1 25 kV AC prototype units195241966All
Class 302 AM2London-Tilbury-Southend1958–1960112 BR 302 203 EMU.jpg 1999About 110
Class 303 AM3Strathclyde. Also on Greater Manchester area services during 1980s/early 1990s.1959–19619175613 from unit 303013 is still in use with the British Transport Police 303011 at Coatbridge Central.jpg 1974–200290
Class 304 AM4Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham
1959 EMU
196045 Hugh llewelyn 304 006 (7850836098).jpg 1992–1996All
Class 305 AM5Chingford, Enfield
1959 EMU
195971 Hugh llewelyn hugh llewelyn 305 515 (7850800162).jpg 1992–2001
Class 306 AM6Shenfield (inner-suburban)194992Ordered by LNER in 1938, but construction was delayed due to World War II. Class 306 Green.jpg 198191
Class 307 AM7Southend (outer-suburban)1954–19563243 survived as parcel units until 2000 307-refurbishment-front-no-headboard.jpg 1990–199331
Class 308 AM8Eastern Region lines
1959 EMU
195945 British Rail Class 308 at Leeds 1996.jpg 1983
1992
2001
All
Class 309 AM9Clacton Express.1962–196376 21.03.81 London Liverpool Street 309.625 (5958456051).jpg 1994–2000About 74
Class 310 AM10Euston outer-suburban. Also West Midlands1965–196750310109 and 310113 survived in departmental use until 2005 Coventry Steve Jones 310 5106457381.jpg 1967 (1)
1989 (1)
2001–2002
All
Class 311 AM11Strathclyde1966–196719311103-4 survived in departmental use until 1999 311092 at Glasgow Central.jpg 199018
Class 312 Great Eastern suburban
Great Northern suburban
West Midlands (four units)
1975–1978196 312718 and 312721 at Kirby Cross.JPG 2003–200449

Second generation

TOPS classBuilt forCurrent Operator(s)BuilderNumber builtImageWithdrawnScrapped
Class 313 [lower-alpha 1] BR Eastern Region
(Great Northern suburban)
BREL York 1976-197764 x 3-car sets 313206 Seaford.jpg 2019 (GN)
2023 (Southern)
62
Class 314 BR Scottish Region
(Argyle Line)
BREL York 197916 x 3-car sets 314210 at Gourock Railway Station in March 2019.jpg 2018–201915
Class 315 BR Eastern Region
(Great Eastern suburban)
BREL York 1980-198161 x 4-car sets 315 807 in Liverpool Street station.jpg 2018–202253
Class 316 (I) proposed units for Picc-Vic services-(never built)-Never builtNever built
Class 316 (II) (AC Networker prototype)(never used in passenger service, now out of service)converted from class 210 and 313 cars1 x 4-car set Hugh llewelyn 457 001 (6250540761).jpg Out of service1
Class 316 (III) (test unit)(never used in passenger service, scrapped 2006)converted from class 3071 x 3-car set2006
Class 317 Class 317/1 London Midland Region
Class 317/2 Network SouthEast
(Bedpan and Great Northern lines)
BREL York 1981-1982 (317/1)
1985-1987 (317/2)
72 x 4-car sets 317667 at Cheshunt.jpg 2020–202265
Class 318 Provincial ScotRail
(for Strathclyde PTE)
ScotRail BREL York 1985-198621 x 3-car sets 318261 in saltire livery at Gourock.jpg still in useNone
Class 319 [lower-alpha 1] Network SouthEast
(Thameslink services)
Rail Operations Group BREL York 1987-1988 (319/0)
1990 (319/1)
86 x 4-car sets Stockport - Arriva 319368 Hazel Grove service.JPG still in use33
Class 320 Provincial ScotRail
(for Strathclyde PTE)
ScotRail BREL York 199022 x 3-car sets 320414 at Gourock.jpg still in useNone
Class 321 Network SouthEast
(Great Eastern and Euston services)
Regional Railways
(for West Yorkshire PTE)
Varamis RailBREL York 1988-1991117 x 4-car sets 321344 at Colchester.jpg 2021–202312 TSOs
63 units
Class 322 Network SouthEast
(Stansted Express service)
BREL York 19905 x 4-car sets 322485 Leeds.jpg 2022All
Class 325 [lower-alpha 1] Rail Express Systems
(for Royal Mail)
DB Cargo UK ABB Derby 1995-199616 x 4-car units Lancaster - DB Cargo 325002 ecs to Crewe.JPG still in use1

Modern/Third generation

These use solid state switching devices (thyristors and transistors) and have electronic power control.

TOPS classBuilt forCurrent Operator(s)BuilderNumber BuiltImageWithdrawnScrapped
Class 323 Regional Railways
(for West Midlands PTE and Greater Manchester PTE)
Northern Trains
West Midlands Trains
Hunslet Transportation Projects/Holec [1] [2] [3] 1992-199543 x 3-car sets 323231 of Northern Trains at Lime Street.jpg still in useNone
Class 331 (I) proposed units for London, Tilbury and Southend
Original classification of Class 332
(never built)Never builtNever built
Class 331 (II)
Civity
Arriva Rail North Northern Trains CAF 2017-202031 x 3-car units
12 x 4-car units
331001 approaching Crewe platform 1.jpg still in useNone
Class 332 Heathrow Express Siemens Transportation Systems/CAF 1997-1998, 20029 x 4-car sets
5 x 5-car sets
Heathrow Express 332003 and 332010 at Paddington.jpg 202058 cars
Class 333 Arriva Trains Northern
(for West Yorkshire PTE)
Northern Trains Siemens Transportation Systems/CAF 2000-200316 x 4-car sets Northern 333 002 at Ilkley.jpg still in useNone
Class 334
Juniper
ScotRail
(for Strathclyde PTE)
ScotRail Alstom Birmingham 1999-200240 x 3-car sets Class 334 in Waverley Station 02.JPG
Class 341
Networker
proposed units for Crossrail (never built)-Never builtNever built
Class 342
Networker
proposed units for Channel Tunnel Rail Link Domestic Services Never built
Class 345
Aventra
Elizabeth line Elizabeth line Bombardier Derby 2015-201970 x 9-car sets Unit 345007 at Shenfield 7th July 2017 05.jpg still in useNone
Class 350 (I) Original classification of Class 325
Class 350 (II) [lower-alpha 1]
Desiro
Silverlink
Central Trains
West Midlands Trains Siemens Transportation Systems 2004-2005
2008-2009
2013-2014
87 x 4-car sets 350232 at Watford Junction.jpg still in useNone
Class 357
Electrostar
LTS Rail c2c Adtranz/Bombardier Derby 1999-200274 x 4-car sets British Rail Class 357 357034.jpg
Class 360
Desiro
First Great Eastern
Heathrow Connect
East Midlands Railway
Rail Operations Group
Siemens Transportation Systems 2002-2003
2004-2005
21 x 4-car sets
5 x 5-car sets
Class 360 106 East Midlands Railway.jpg 2
Class 365 [lower-alpha 1]
Networker
Network SouthEast
(Great Northern and South Eastern services)
ABB York 1994-199541 x 4-car sets Class 365 Networker Express in Great Northern livery by Hugh Llewelyn.jpg 2021161 cars
Class 371 [lower-alpha 1]
Networker
proposed units for Thameslink 2000 -(never built)-Never builtNever built
Class 375 [lower-alpha 1]
Electrostar
Connex South Eastern
South Eastern Trains
Southeastern Adtranz/Bombardier Derby 1999-200510 x 3-car sets
102 x 4-car sets
375630 and 375 number 827 Victoria to Dover Priory 2K14 (39945897935).jpg still in useNone
Class 376 [lower-alpha 1]
Electrostar
South Eastern Trains Southeastern Bombardier Derby 2004-200536 x 5-car sets 376033 in South East London.JPG
Class 377 [lower-alpha 1]
Electrostar
Southern Southeastern
Southern
Bombardier Derby 2001-2005
2008-2009
2013-2014
28 x 3-car sets
177 x 4-car sets
34 x 5-car sets
Hugh llewelyn 377 202 (6472683245).jpg
Class 378 [lower-alpha 1]
Capitalstar
London Overground London Overground Bombardier Derby 2008-201157 x 5-car sets 378150 at Clapham Junction.jpg
Class 379
Electrostar
National Express East Anglia NoneBombardier Derby 2010-201130 x 4-car sets 379 011 Bethnal Green(8091060727).jpg 2022
Class 380
Desiro
First ScotRail ScotRail Siemens Mobility 2009-201122 x 3-car sets
16 x 4-car sets
Siemens Desiro 380007 (7468208476).jpg still in use
Class 381 [lower-alpha 1]
Networker
proposed Network SouthEast express units-(never built)-Never builtNever built
Class 385 AT200
Abellio ScotRail ScotRail Hitachi Kudamatsu & Hitachi Newton Aycliffe 2015-201946 x 3-car sets
24 x 4-car sets
385008 at Gourock platform 1.jpg still in useNone
Class 387 [lower-alpha 1]
Electrostar
Thameslink
Great Western Railway
c2c
Gatwick Express
Great Northern
Great Western Railway
Heathrow Express
Bombardier Derby 2014-2017107 x 4-car sets Gatwick Express 387210 , Clapham Junction 24.3.18.jpg
Class 700 [lower-alpha 1]
Desiro City
Thameslink Thameslink
Great Northern
Siemens Mobility 2014-201860 x 8-car sets
55 x 12-car sets
700110 - London Blackfriars 3T13.JPG
Class 701 [lower-alpha 1]
Aventra
South Western Railway South Western Railway Bombardier/Alstom Derby 2019-30 x 5-car sets
60 x 10-car sets
SWR 701005 at Egham 19th August 2020.jpg
Class 705 Original classification of Class 701 [4]
Class 707 [lower-alpha 1]
Desiro City
South West Trains Southeastern
South Western Railway
Siemens Mobility 2015-201830 x 5-car sets 707012 Cannon Street.jpg still in useNone
Class 710 [lower-alpha 1]
Aventra
London Overground London Overground Bombardier Derby 2017-202048 x 4-car sets
6 x 5-car sets
710261 resting at West Hampstead Station.jpg
Class 711 Original classification of Class 701 [4]
Class 717 [lower-alpha 1]
Desiro City
Great Northern Great Northern Siemens Mobility 2018-201925 x 6-car sets Class 717 023 Great Northern at Finsbury Park.jpg still in useNone
Class 720
Aventra
Greater Anglia
c2c
Greater Anglia
c2c
Bombardier/Alstom Derby 2018-2020145 x 5-car sets 720540 London Liverpool Street.jpg
Class 730
Aventra
West Midlands Trains West Midlands Trains Bombardier/Alstom Derby 2020-202136 x 3-car sets
45 x 5-car sets
Bombardier Aventra Class 730 EMU.jpg
Class 745
FLIRT
Greater Anglia Greater Anglia Stadler Rail 2018-202020 x 12-car sets Greater Anglia 745010 Colchester.jpg
Class 755
FLIRT
Greater Anglia Greater Anglia Stadler Rail 2018-202014 x 3-car sets
24 x 4-car sets
Class 755 at Great Yarmouth.jpg
Class 756
FLIRT
Transport for Wales Rail Stadler Rail TBC7 × 3-car sets
17 × 4-car sets
Class 768 Rail Operations Group Rail Operations Group BREL York 1987-88
Brush Traction 2020- (conversion)
10 x 4-car sets
Class 769 [lower-alpha 1]
Flex
Great Western Railway
Northern Trains
Rail Operations Group
Transport for Wales Rail
Northern Trains BREL York 1987-88
Brush Traction 2017-2020 (conversion)
35 x 4-car sets Class 769 at Heath High Level (geograph 6547188).jpg 1 car
Class 777 [lower-alpha 1]
METRO
Merseyrail Merseyrail Stadler Rail 2018-202152 x 4-car sets 777010 at Hooton Station 20210728-1.jpg None
Class 799 [lower-alpha 1]
HydroFlex
Porterbrook Porterbrook BREL York, 1987
Quinton Rail Technology Centre 2019 (conversion)
2 x 4-car sets1

High speed trains

High speed multiple unit or fixed formation trainsets, capable of operating at speeds above 190 kilometres per hour (120 mph). [5]

TOPS classBuilt forCurrent Operator(s)BuilderNumber BuiltImageWithdrawnScrapped
Class 370
APT-P
prototype APT Withdrawn 1985–1986 BREL Derby 19796 x 7-car half sets
2 spare cars
Apt 370004 - euston - 13-02-1980.jpg 1985–198635 cars
Class 373
TGV
Eurostar Eurostar GEC Alsthom, La Brugeoise et Nivelles 1992-199614 x 8-car half sets
62 x 10-car half sets
1 spare car
British Rail Class 373 3206 Saint-Denis 20150811.jpg 2014–

still in use

16
Class 374
Velaro UK
Eurostar Eurostar Siemens Mobility 2011-201834 x 8-car half sets Gare de Saint-Denis DSC 1182 (49644707287).jpg still in useNone
Class 390
Pendolino
Virgin Trains Avanti West Coast Alstom Birmingham 2001-2004
Alstom Savigliano, Italy 2010-2012
22 x 9-car sets
35 x 11-car sets
Hugh llewelyn 390 005 (6395421325).jpg 1
Class 395 [lower-alpha 1]
Javelin
Southeastern Southeastern Hitachi, Japan 2007-200929 x 6-car sets 5J81 St Pancras to Ashford Down sidings empty coaching stock move.jpg None
Class 397
Civity
TransPennine Express TransPennine Express CAF 2017-201912 x 5-car sets Transpennine Express 397003 at Wigan North Western April 2019.jpg
Class 800
AT300
London North Eastern Railway London North Eastern Railway Hitachi, Kudamatsu & Newton Aycliffe 2014-201834 x 9-car sets
46 x 5-car sets
Canton - GWR 800018+800006.JPG
Great Western Railway Great Western Railway
Class 801
AT300
London North Eastern Railway London North Eastern Railway Hitachi Kudamatsu & Newton Aycliffe 2017-202030 x 9-car sets
12 x 5-car sets [6]
801109 - 801102 KGX.jpg
Class 802
AT300
Great Western Railway Great Western Railway Hitachi Kudamatsu & Hitachi Rail Italy 2017-202046 x 5-car
14 x 9-car sets
802201 and 802218 at Northallerton.jpg
Hull Trains Hull Trains
TransPennine Express TransPennine Express
Class 803
AT300
Lumo Lumo Hitachi Newton Aycliffe5 x 5-car sets 803001+803002 Departing London Kings Cross.jpg
Class 805
AT300
Avanti West Coast Hitachi Newton Aycliffe13 x 5-car setsStill not in service
Class 807
AT300
10 x 7-car sets
Class 810
Aurora
East Midlands Railway 33 x 5-car sets

DC EMUs

Southern Region units

The Southern Railway and its successor, the Southern Region of British Rail, used three letter codes to classify their DC EMU fleets, as shown after the TOPS class numbers. Southern Region EMUs were classified in the 400 series under TOPS.

Pre-Nationalisation

4Sub unit no. 8143 at the National Railway Museum 4Sub.jpg
4Sub unit no. 8143 at the National Railway Museum
TOPS classSR className or InformationBuiltQuantity (sets)WithdrawnNotesImageScrapped
Class 401 2-Bil1935–381521965–71 BR Class 401 2-BIL EMU no. 2090, London Waterloo, 22 November 1986.jpg 151
Class 402 2-Hal
  • 1938–1939
  • 1948
  • 1955
1001969–71 2-HAL.jpg All
2-Pan[ citation needed ]
2-Nol 1934–36781956–59
2-SL South London192981954
2-Wim Wimbledon-Croydon19294
3-Sub 1946–511841976–83 4 sub emu3.jpg
4-Buf 1937–38851964 Weybridge station geograph-2386531-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
Class 404 4-Cor1968–71 3131 at National Railway Museum.JPG 28
4-DD Double Deck EMU194921971 Class 4DD no 4902 at Ashford Steam Centre.jpg
4-Gri All
4-Lav
  • 1930–32
  • 1939–40
351968–69 4-lav emu.jpg
4-Res
Class 405 4-Sub 4 sub emu1.jpg About 184
Class 403 5-Bel Brighton Belle London Victoria-Brighton1932151 (p) BB at Purley Oaks (1964).jpg 2
6-Cit London Bridge-Brighton38 in total
6-Pan Pantry units
6-Pul Pullman London Victoria-Brighton

Mark 1 and 2 bodyshell

Gatwick Express Class 489 unit no. 489110 at London Victoria 9110 at London Victoria.jpg
Gatwick Express Class 489 unit no. 489110 at London Victoria
TOPS classSR className or InformationImageScrapped
Class 410 4-Bep 1586 at London Victoria.jpg About 114 in total
Class 411 4-Cep
Class 412 4-Bep
Class 413 4-Cap2 x 2Hap permanently coupled BR 4-CEP 413207.jpg All
Class 414 2-Hap 2 hap emu.jpg 207
Class 415 4-EPB 4EPB set at Wimbledon.jpg 282
Class 416 2-EPB 416 at Dalton Kingsland1.jpg 121
Class 418 2-Sap2Hap units with declassified 1st Class accommodation 2 sap emu.jpg All
Class 419 MLVLondon-Dover/Folkestone boat trains Class419.JPG 2
Class 420 4-Big 4BIG set 7059 and D6535 Great Central Railway.jpg About 140 in total
Class 421 4/3-Cig
3-Cop
Last 2 units of this type in service were withdrawn in 2010
Class 422 4-Big
8-Dig
Class 423 4-Vep
4-Vop
3417 Eastleigh 100.JPG About 188 in total
Class 427 4-VegFirst stock used for Gatwick Express
Class 430 4-Rep 3005 Eastleigh Works 22-10-73.jpg 14
Class 431 6-Rep
Class 432 4-Rep
Class 438 3-TC
4-TC
Weymouth Quay railway station 1986.jpg 27
Class 480 8-Vab-
Class 482 (I) 8-Mig
Class 488 Gatwick Express Trailers 8313 at London Victoria.jpg 14
Class 489 GLVGatwick Express driving trailers 9107 at Wirksworth.jpg 3
Class 499 (I) TLVAll

Tube Stock

Island Line Class 483 unit no. 483004 at Smallbrook Junction 483004 Smallbrook Junction.JPG
Island Line Class 483 unit no. 483004 at Smallbrook Junction
TOPS classNumber BuiltSR className or InformationImageNumber Scrapped
Class 482 (II) 10 x 4-car Waterloo & City line
sold to London Underground
65507 at Bank LUL station.jpg None
Class 483 10 x 2-car Island Line
ex LU 1938 stock
ISLAND LINE EX LT TUBE TRAIN AT RYDE ESPLANADE STATION JULY 2011 (5961075499).jpg 4
Class 485 6 x 4-car4-Vecex LU Standard stock Shanklinstn.jpg about 5
Class 486 6 x 3-car3-Tisex LU Standard stock 16.03.85 Sandown 486.036 (6076456875).jpg All
Class 487 28 x 1-carWaterloo & City Line Class 487 at London Transport Museum Depot.jpg 27

Modern EMUs

South West Trains Class 455 unit no. 455713 at Wimbledon railway station SWT Class 455 refurbished.jpg
South West Trains Class 455 unit no. 455713 at Wimbledon railway station
Southeastern Class 466 unit no. 466018 at Bromley North railway station Bromley North Railway Station.jpg
Southeastern Class 466 unit no. 466018 at Bromley North railway station
TOPS classSR classNumber BuiltName or InformationImageScrapped
Class 424 1Networker Classic Prototype1
Class 442 5-Wes24Wessex Express 2407 at Moreton, Dorset.JPG 119 cars
Class 444 5-Des45 Siemens Desiro 444017 London Waterloo.jpg None
Class 445 4-Pep2Second Generation EMU prototype - 4 car 4-PEP-4002.jpg All
Class 446 2-Pep1Second Generation EMU prototype - 2 car
Class 447 Never BuiltProposed Battersea BulletNever built
Class 450 4-Des127Siemens Desiro Hugh llewelyn 450 085 (6266751667).jpg None
Class 455 137 Hampton Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 2581429.jpg 54
Class 456 24 South West Trains 456006, Wimbledon (15894675838).jpg All
Class 457 1DC Networker prototype Hugh llewelyn 457 001 (6250540761).jpg 1
Class 458 5-Jop36 Juniper Clapham Junction - SWT 458503-458531 down train.JPG None
Class 460 8-Gat8Juniper - Gatwick Express Hugh llewelyn (460 0) 06 (6390145959).jpg DMLFOs

(4 cars)

Class 465 147Networker - 4 car South Eastern Trains 465238 at Greenwich 2005-12-10 02.jpg None
Class 466 43Networker - 2 car 466013 Bromley North to Grove Park (14538394869).jpg
Class 471 Never BuiltProposed Networker - Main Line Express Class471MockUp006 (cropped).jpg Never built
Class 484 5 x 2-car Island Line D-Train
ex-LU D78 Stock
484001 at Shanklin.jpg None


Other DC units

The 500 series classes were reserved for miscellaneous DC EMUs not from the Southern Region. This included the DC (third/fourth rail) lines in North London, Manchester and Merseyside and the OHLE lines in Greater Manchester. The DC electric network around Tyneside had been de-electrified by the time TOPS was introduced, and the stock withdrawn or transferred to the Southern Region.

Merseyrail Class 507 unit no. 507009 at Liverpool Central railway station 507009-LiverpoolCent-01.jpg
Merseyrail Class 507 unit no. 507009 at Liverpool Central railway station
TOPS classes
ClassInfoImageNumber BuiltWithdrawnNotesScrapped
Class 501 North London stock Class-501-train-B1-headcode.jpg 571985650 V Third & Fourth Rail56
Class 502 Liverpool-Southport/Ormskirk stock Sandhills 1979001 1.jpg 611980650 V Third Rail150 cars
Class 503 Mersey-Wirral stock Image-British-Rail-Class-503.jpg 451985650 V Third Rail44
Class 504 Manchester-Bury stock British Rail Class 504 ManVic prior to Metrolink.jpg 2619911.2 kV Side Contact Third Rail
(Unique on BR network)
25
Class 505 Manchester-Altrincham stock22 sets19711.5 kV OHLE?
Class 506 Manchester-Hadfield/Glossop stock Guide Bridge 1967001 1.jpg 819841.5 kV OHLEAbout 7
Class 507 Merseyside stock 507001 Hunts Cross.jpg 332022–750 V Third Rail16
Class 508 Merseyside stock 508141-LiverpoolLS-01.jpg 432022–2024750 V Third Rail41
Class 510 Original classification of Class 455
Pre-TOPS classes

Battery electric multiple unit (BEMU)

The original BEMU was a one-off unit, withdrawn before the introduction of TOPS. A new generation battery EMU (called an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit) was created in 2014, converted from a Class 379.[ citation needed ]

ClassInfoImageNotes
BEMU Experimental 2 Car Railcar at Milton of Crathes (geograph 1821382).jpg
Class 230 D-Train Class 230 at Bedford 1.jpg DEMU
DMU
Diesel-Battery hybrid

Non National Rail units

All rail vehicles operating on Network Rail infrastructure are required to be given TOPS codes. For this reason, London Underground, Sheffield Supertram and Tyne & Wear Metro trains have their own TOPS classes:

ClassInfoImageNotes
Class 398
CITYLINK
Transport for Wales Rail tram-train stockPlanned use on Valley Lines services with street running through Cardiff
Class 399
CITYLINK
Sheffield Supertram tram-train stock Class 399 at Cathedral tram stop.jpg Used for service to Rotherham via the Dearne Valley line
Class 499 (II) London Underground rolling stock LUL-S-Stock-arrives-Croxley.jpg Classification given to all London Underground stock operating on Network Rail, regardless of line
Class 555
METRO
Tyne & Wear Metro rolling stockReplacement Tyne and Wear Metro fleet
Class 599 Metro train at South Shields (16873964346).jpg Runs on Network Rail tracks between Pelaw and Sunderland

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Railways</span> 1982–1997 passenger sector of British Rail

Regional Railways was one of the three passenger sectors of British Rail created in 1982 that existed until 1997, two years after Privatisation of British Rail. The sector was originally called Provincial.

A number of different numbering and classification schemes were used for locomotives and multiple units operated by British Railways (BR), and this page explains the principal systems. This section also covers the post-privatisation period, as the broad numbering and classification arrangements have not altered since the break-up of BR.

Class AM1 was allocated to the prototype AC electric multiple units, converted from fourth-rail DC electric stock in 1952 and used on the Lancaster/Morecambe/Heysham route. This route had been electrified by the Midland Railway at 6.6 kV, 25 Hz AC. These were withdrawn in 1952 and the service reverted to steam haulage. The line voltage was changed to 6.6 kV at 50 Hz in 1953 and the AM1s were introduced. Thus was a test to see if power could be drawn from the National Grid rather than railway owned power stations. The AM1s were fitted with mercury arc rectifiers but one was later converted to a solid state rectifier as a test. The stock was maintained at Meols Cop works near Southport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Classes 316 and 457</span>

Class 316 and Class 457 were TOPS classifications assigned to a single electric multiple unit (EMU) at different stages of its use as a prototype for the Networker series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 157</span> Proposed diesel multiple unit

Class 157 Strathclyde Sprinter was the designation applied to a range of diesel multiple unit trains of the Sprinter family which were planned for regional use in the United Kingdom, in particular with the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. As well as the class number, British Rail reserved carriage numbers in the 526xx and 576xx series for these units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 323</span> British electric passenger trains

The British Rail Class 323 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by Hunslet Transportation Projects and Holec. All 43 units were built from 1992 through to 1995, although mock-ups and prototypes were built and tested in 1990 and 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 313</span> 1976 British electric trains

The British Rail Class 313 was a dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works between February 1976 and April 1977. They were the first production units that were derived from British Rail's 1971 prototype suburban EMU design which, as the BREL 1972 family, eventually encompassed 755 vehicles over five production classes. They were the first second-generation EMUs to be constructed for British Rail and the first British Rail units with both a pantograph for 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines and contact shoe equipment for 750 V DC third rail supply. They were, additionally, the first units in Britain to employ multi-function automatic Tightlock couplers, which include electrical and pneumatic connections allowing the coupling and uncoupling of units to be performed unassisted by the driver whilst in the cab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 307</span>

The British Rail Class 307 electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh Works from 1954 to 1956. They were initially classified as AM7 before the introduction of TOPS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 416</span>

British Rail Class 416 (2-EPB) was a class of third-rail electric multiple units in service between 1953 and 1995. They were intended for inner suburban passenger services on London's Southern Electric network. There were two subclasses of Class 416: Class 416/1 to an SR design on salvaged 2-NOL underframes, built between 1953 and 1956, and Class 416/2 based on a British Railways Mark 1 coach design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British electric multiple units</span> British self-powered electric trains

An electric multiple unit (EMU) is an electric self-powered train, capable of operating in multiple with other EMUs and without the need for a locomotive; these are typically passenger trains with accommodation in every vehicle and a driving position at each end. The term can also be used to describe a train that is a permanent formation with a non-driving power car, such as the Advanced Passenger Train. As of December 2010, two-thirds of the passenger carriages in Great Britain are formed in EMUs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 304</span>

The British Rail Class 304 were AC electric multiple units designed and produced at British Rail's (BR) Wolverton Works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 305</span> British class of electric multiple unit

The British Rail Class 305 was an alternating current (AC) electric multiple unit (EMU). Under the pre-1973 British Rail numbering system, the class was known as AM5; when TOPS was introduced, it became Class 305.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 506</span>

The British Rail Class 506 was a 3 carriage electric multiple unit (EMU) built for local services between Manchester, Glossop and Hadfield on the Woodhead Line, which was electrified in 1954 on the 1,500 V DC overhead system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway</span> Suburban railway in Manchester

The Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJ&AR) was a suburban railway which operated an 8+12-mile (14 km) route between Altrincham in Cheshire and Manchester London Road railway station in Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railway electrification in Great Britain</span> Electrification of railway lines

Railway electrification in Great Britain began in the late 19th century. A range of voltages has been used, employing both overhead lines and conductor rails. The two most common systems are 25 kV AC using overhead lines, and the 750 V DC third rail system used in Southeast England and on Merseyrail. As of October 2023, 6,065 kilometres (3,769 mi) (38%) of the British rail network was electrified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Networker (train)</span> Passenger train family built for British Rail

The Networker is a family of passenger trains which operate on the UK railway system. They were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s by British Rail Engineering Limited and Metro Cammell. The trains were built for the Network SouthEast (NSE) sector of British Rail, which is where their name comes from. They are all multiple-unit trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam-door train</span>

A slam-door train or slammer is a set of diesel multiple units (DMUs) or electric multiple units (EMUs) that were designed before the introduction of automatic doors on railway carriages in the United Kingdom and other countries, which feature manually operated doors. The name came about because of the characteristic noise made by the passengers slamming the doors closed when the train was about to depart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolling stock of Network SouthEast</span> Former British Rail sector

Network SouthEast (NSE), the sector of British Rail which ran passenger services in London and southeast England between 1986 and 1994, operated a wide variety of rolling stock during its existence. The majority of the network was electrified, and further electrification schemes took place during the 1986–1994 period; and the 7,000 vehicles owned by NSE in 1986 consisted of a mixture of electric, diesel-electric and diesel multiple units, diesel locomotives and the coaches they hauled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 316 (Picc-Vic)</span>

The British Rail Class 316 was a proposed type of electric multiple unit intended for use on planned urban rail services in Greater Manchester. Intended as part of the family of EMUs descended from the prototype "PEP" stock, the class was never proceeded with as the planned services for which it was to be built were cancelled.

References

  1. "Class 323". Modern Locomotives Illustrated . No. 228. December 2017. pp. 49–53.
  2. Webber 1999, Table 1 'Chronology'. "Hunslet TPL (Engineering and Project Management) becomes Holec Ridderkerk (Birmingham) Limited, latterly Holec Ridderkerk UK Limited: 15 March 1994".
  3. "Hunslet has had enough of 'misery line' battles". Birmingham Post . 23 March 1994. p. 3. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 "South Western Franchise Agreement" (PDF). Department for Transport. 7 April 2017. p. 178. Specified Additional Rolling Stock ... Class 705 ... (5 car) ... Class 711 ... (10 car)
  5. Rail Safety and Standards Board (June 2020). Rail Industry Standard RIS-2453-RST: Vehicle Registration, Marking and Numbering (PDF).
  6. "EMU Formations". Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

Sources