British Rail Class 321

British Rail Class 321
Northern/WYPTE Class 321/9 EMU No. 321903 at Doncaster
The refurbished interior aboard a Northern Class 321/9 EMU
In service	1988 - Current
Manufacturer	BREL York
Family name	BR Second Generation (Mark 3)
Number built	117 trainsets
Formation	4 cars per trainset 321/3 and 321/4: DTCO-TSO-MSO-DTSO 321/9: DTSO(A)-TSO-MSO-DTSO(B)
Operator	London Midland Greater Anglia Northern Rail First Capital Connect
Specifications
Car length	19.95 m (65 ft 5 in)
Width	2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)
Height	3.78 m (12 ft 5 in)
Maximum speed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight	Total - 137.9 t (135.7 long tons)
Power output	1,438 hp (1,072 kW)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge

The British Rail Class 321 alternating current (AC) electric multiple units (EMU) were built by BREL York in three batches from 1988-91. The design was successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322 units for use by Strathclyde PTE and Stansted Express (now used by First ScotRail) respectively. The British Rail Mark 3 bodyshell design was also used for construction of the Class 456 direct current (DC) units.

Description

Three sub-classes of unit were built. The first two were built for the Network SouthEast sector, whilst the final batch was built for services around Leeds.

Class 321/3

The first batch of 66 EMU trains, built between 1988-90 were classified under TOPS as Class 321/3. Units were numbered in the range 321301-366 and have a maximum speed of 100 mph (161 km/h). Each EMU consisted of four carriages; two outer driving trailers, one of which contained first class seating; an intermediate motor coach with standard class seating only, roof mounted Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph and four Brush TM2141C traction motors (two per bogie); and an intermediate trailer with standard class seating. The technical description of the formation is DTCO+PMSO+TSO+DTSO. These units were delivered in two groups, with individual vehicles numbered as follows:

	Units 321301-346	Units 321347-366
DTCO	78049-78094	78131-78150
PMSO	62975-63020	63105-63124
TSO	71880-71925	71991-72010
DTSO	77853-77898	78280-78299

These EMU trains were built for outer-suburban trains on the Great Eastern Main Line, primarily from London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria, Ipswich, Southminster, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree. They replaced the ageing slam-door Class 305, Class 308 and Class 309 units on trains to Clacton and Southend-on-Sea, and worked services on the newly electrified routes to Ipswich and Harwich. They also displaced many Class 312 slam-door units to the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway. Some of the Class 309 "Clacton Express" units were retained until 1994, and 24 of the newer Class 312 units were retained long-term to work services to Walton-on-the-Naze and peak services to Clacton, Ipswich and Witham. Units carried the distinctive Network SouthEast livery from new. 321361 was named 'Phoenix' in March 2008 at Ilford depot after it was rebuilt at the disused Colchester shed to repair damage caused by an arson attack at Southend Victoria on 10 July 2007.

Class 321/4

The second batch of 48 units, built between 1989–90, were classified as Class 321/4. Units were numbered in the range 321401-448 and again have a maximum speed of 100 mph (161 km/h). The formation of these units is identical to that of the first batch, each unit being formed DTCO+PMSO+TSO+DTSO. They were delivered in two groups, with individual vehicles numbered as follows:^{[citation needed]}

	Units 321401-430	Units 321431-442	Units 321443-448
DTCO	78095-78124	78151-78162	78125-78130
PMSO	63063-63092	63125-63136	63099-63104
TSO	71949-71978	72011-72022	71985-71990
DTSO	77943-77972	78300-78311	78274-78279

These units were built for outer-suburban services on the West Coast Main Line, from London Euston to Watford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Coventry and Birmingham New Street.

All Units were delivered in Network SouthEast blue, red and white livery. They displaced the recently cascaded Class 317 units dating from 1981 that had themselves only just been introduced to the route to replace Class 310 units.

As built, 321/4 units had an enlarged First Class area comprising half of the DTC vehicle, instead of one third in the 321/3 units. An additional partition with folding double doors in the centre of the coach created this additional space. Units 321438 to 321 448 were transferred for Great Eastern Main Line services. Following this, their First Class area was reduced in size to standardise with the existing 321/3 units on that route. This involved removal of the centre partition and double doors and re-upholstering the First Class style 2+2 seats (that were retained at that time) in the de-classified area into the same fabric as the Standard Class seats. Later, the First Class 2+2 seats in this de-classified area were replaced with the standard style 2+3 seating. These 11 units were also fitted with a facility to lock out the power door operation within the unit (a basic kind of Selective Operation) to permit operation of 12-car trains on the Braintree and Southminster branch lines, where some platforms were only long enough for 8-car trains.

Class 321/9

In original livery, Class 321/9 No. 321901 is seen at Leeds

The final batch of three Class 321s were classified as Class 321/9 and were constructed in 1991, as an add-on to the main batches. These units have a similar formation to the earlier units, except that there is no first class seating. Therefore, the formation is DTSO+PMSO+TSO+DTSO. Units are numbered in the range 321901-903, and individual vehicles are numbered as follows:^{[citation needed]}

• 77990-77992 - DTSO
• 63153-63155 - PMSO
• 72128-72130 - TSO
• 77993-77995 - DTSO

They were ordered by West Yorkshire PTE for the newly electrified Doncaster-Leeds route, and therefore carried the West Yorkshire Metro maroon livery from new.

Due to a quirk to the units entering traffic, five redundant Class 307 units were introduced on the route as a stop-gap measure in 1991. These elderly units continued in service until 1993, when the Class 321 units finally entered traffic. In 1994, they were joined by several Class 308 units, which were introduced on services around Leeds following electrication of the Airedale Line and Wharfedale Line routes from Leeds to Ilkley, Skipton and Bradford.

The Class 321/9 units were refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock from late 2006 to early 2007. The refurbishment included a new livery, refurbished interiors and reliability improvements, similar to the Class 322 EMUs, that were also refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock.

Operations

Northern Rail

Arriva Trains Northern (previously Northern Spirit) inherited the three Class 321/9 units 321901, 321902 and 321903.^{[citation needed]} These units operate on the Leeds - Doncaster Wakefield Line service and occasionally on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines alongside Class 333 units.

First Great Eastern/National Express East Anglia/Greater Anglia

First Great Eastern inherited all 66 Class 321/3 units and 11 Class 321/4 units. The Great Eastern Main Line franchise was subsequently taken over by National Express East Anglia, previously branded 'one' and then subsequently by Greater Anglia. These 77 units were fitted with automatic dot matrix and audio passenger information systems during the 'one'/National Express East Anglia franchise.

These trains are primarily used for London Liverpool Street to Braintree, Southend Victoria, Southminster, Ipswich, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester Town, and the London to Shenfield metro service, but can be seen running on any electrified route if other trains fail. These are usually formed from 4, 8 or 12 carriages on any routes.

Silverlink/London Midland

Silverlink inherited the 37 of the 48 Class 321/4 units. The remaining 11 units had been transferred to the Great Eastern Main Line region some years previously.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2003, Silverlink's class 321 units were temporarily withdrawn following the discovery of loose bolts on brake discs in some units.

In September 2004, London Euston - Birmingham local services were divided into two separate services: Silverlink retained Northampton - London, with Central Trains taking over all local services between Birmingham and Northampton. Initially, Central Trains hired in several Class 321 units from Silverlink to work their new services, but the arrival of the new Class 350 "Desiro" units means that very few Class 321 units are now required.

To accommodate this sub-lease, 3 Class 321/3 units were transferred from 'one' (since rebranded National Express East Anglia) to Silverlink. These were not permitted north of Rugby due to lack of the National Radio Network system (Eastern Region units only had the Cab Secure Radio System used for Driver Only Operated Passenger services) and therefore could not be used on Central Trains services (although they occasionally appeared on services to Rugby at weekends due to the line being closed between Rugby and Birmingham New Street). This ceased in late 2005 with the introduction of Class 350 trains on the Birmingham - Liverpool route. One of these sub-leased units was involved in a low-speed derailment at Watford Yard.

In May 2007, Central Trains began using Class 321 units on some morning services from Birmingham New Street to Walsall.

In November 2007, London Midland took over operation of the Class 321 fleet previously used by Silverlink and Central Trains. An order was placed by London Midland with Siemens AG for 37 Class 350 'Desiro' EMUs; these were intended replace the Class 321 units.

In mid 2009, London Midland stood down most of the units and reduced their fleet to just 321411 - 321417. These units are to be repainted by London Midland and given a very basic and minor interior refresh (replaced carpet and new First Class markings). All current fleet was refurbished. They feature on both Peak Hour workings between Northampton - London Euston and all day on the 'Abbey Flyer' Watford Junction - St. Albans Abbey branch line.

First Capital Connect

First Capital Connect has received thirteen units (321401-10/18-20) from London Midland following deliveries of the new Siemens Desiro Class 350/2. All 13 units have now received a new look, FCC indigo blue and 'city lights' branding, plus a full internal refresh. The units are working on the Great Northern services (London Kings Cross to Peterborough and London Kings Cross to Cambridge). At first, only 321401-6/10 saw regular use, the remainder required bogie overhauls before they could enter traffic. Since the start of the December 2010 timetable, all 13 units are now in use.

Recent Changes

It was announced on 30 January 2008 that as part of the Department for Transport's Rolling Stock Plan, the London Midland operated EMUs would be split between two other train operating companies (TOCs) after the arrival of the 37 additional Class 350/2 'Desiro' EMUs currently on order.

They were transferred as follows:

• 17 4-car units to National Express East Anglia sets 321421-321437
• 13 4-car units to First Capital Connect sets 321401-321410/321418-321420

First Capital Connect received their first Class 321, No. 321404, on 5 March 2009. All Units transferred to First Capital Connect have been internally refreshed at Hornsey TMD and re-painted into First Capital Connect livery. 321418 - 321420 have since also transferred to First Capital Connect.

321411 - 321417 will remain with London Midland on peak time journeys such as 321411 and 321412 which are both currently carrying LM livery. 321411 is also the first Class 321 to carry LM livery.

321421 - 321437 were fitted with dot-matrix passenger information systems following their transfer to NXEA. They have also had their First Class area reduced and were fitted with the facility to lock-out Power Operated Doors within the unit, in the same way that 321438 - 321448 were treated many years before. These changes standardised them with the rest of the 321/4 fleet that was already operating on that route (Note: these 17 Units retain the First Class style 2+2 seating in the de-classified First Class section though). All have been progressively re-painted into National Express livery as they went through a C6 overhaul, in common with the rest of the Class 321 fleet at NXEA.

Gallery

• 

  Silverlink train services liveried Class 321/4 No. 321422 at Watford Junction

• 

  The refurbished interior of the two First Class cabins aboard a Silverlink Class 321/4 EMU

• 

  The refurbished interior of Standard Class aboard a Silverlink Class 321/4 EMU

• 

  Silverlink train services liveried Class 321/4 No. 321415 at Watford Junction

• 

  Silverlink train services liveried Class 321/4 No. 321425 at Watford Junction

• 

  Great Eastern liveried Class 321/3 No. 321359 at Norwich

• 

  The refurbished interior of the First Class cabin aboard a Great Eastern Class 321/3

• 

  The refurbished interior of standard class aboard a Great Eastern Class 321/3

• 

  The first Class 321 EMU for First Capital Connect was No. 321404 and is seen at Hornsey TMD

• 

  The interior of a refreshed First Class cabin aboard a First Capital Connect Class 321/4 EMU

• 

  A half internal view of refreshed Standard Class aboard the TSO vehicle from a First Capital Connect Class 321

• 

  The first Class 321 EMU in London Midland livery - No. 321411 is seen at Watford Junction with a sister Class 321/4 in Silverlink livery

• 

  Newly reliveried Class 321/3 No. 321311 at Liverpool Street

• 

  Class 321/3 No. 321327, in the new all-white NXEA livery, at Harwich Int'l

Fleet details

Class	No. Built	Cars per set	Year Built	Operator	No. in Traffic	Unit nos.
Class 321/3	66	4	1988-90	Greater Anglia	66	321301 - 321366
Class 321/4	48		1989-90	Greater Anglia	28	321421 - 321448
				London Midland	7	321411 - 321417
				First Capital Connect	13	321401 - 321410 321418 - 321420
Class 321/9	3		1991	Northern Rail	3	321901 - 321903