British Rail Class 320: Difference between revisions
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The '''British Rail Class 320''' is an [[alternating current]] (AC) [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) [[train]] found on the [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]] (SPT) rail network in Central [[Scotland]], and is used exclusively on the [[North Clyde Line]] between [[Helensburgh]] and [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire]] via [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station]]. |
The '''British Rail Class 320''' is an [[alternating current]] (AC) [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) [[train]] found on the [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]] (SPT) rail network in Central [[Scotland]], and is used exclusively on the [[North Clyde Line]] between [[Helensburgh]] and [[Airdrie, North Lanarkshire]] via [[Glasgow Queen Street railway station]]. |
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Like all SPT rolling stock of the period, the Class 320s were painted in the orange/black livery until 1999, when the carmine/cream livery was progressively phased in. Since 2003, the Class 320 fleet has undergone a major interior refurbishment, with new seat covers, floor coverings, and electronic and audible destination information systems being installed. In September 2008 the [[Scottish Government]]'s agency [[Transport Scotland]] announced that all ''ScotRail'' trains (including from the [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]]) would be eventually repainted in a new, blue livery with white [[Saltire]] markings on the carriage ends. It is expected that the 320s will be the next fleet to receive the new livery after [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]]. This will affect all the Class 320s.<ref>[http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ScotRail-25th-anniversary ScotRail 25th Anniversary Publicity Materials | Transport Scotland]</ref> |
Like all SPT rolling stock of the period, the Class 320s were painted in the orange/black livery until 1999, when the carmine/cream livery was progressively phased in. Since 2003, the Class 320 fleet has undergone a major interior refurbishment, with new seat covers, floor coverings, and electronic and audible destination information systems being installed. In September 2008 the [[Scottish Government]]'s agency [[Transport Scotland]] announced that all ''ScotRail'' trains (including from the [[Strathclyde Partnership for Transport]]) would be eventually repainted in a new, blue livery with white [[Saltire]] markings on the carriage ends. It is expected that the 320s will be the next fleet to receive the new livery after [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]]. This will affect all the Class 320s.<ref>[http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ScotRail-25th-anniversary ScotRail 25th Anniversary Publicity Materials | Transport Scotland]</ref> |
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==Future Operations== |
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The units are expected to remain in service on the North Clyde Line until 2010 when the new [[Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link]] extension is completed. Beyond this date, services on the route will extend as far as [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station]]. The extended new line will have an increased line speed of 80 mph, making the 320s unsuitable. The lack of toilet facilities on the units is also a factor in their unsuitability for the extended line. |
The units are expected to remain in service on the North Clyde Line until 2010 when the new [[Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link]] extension is completed. Beyond this date, services on the route will extend as far as [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station]]. The extended new line will have an increased line speed of 80 mph, making the 320s unsuitable. The lack of toilet facilities on the units is also a factor in their unsuitability for the extended line. |
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It is expected that eight Class 320s will be cascaded onto the [[Argyle Line]] alongside the [[British Rail Class 318|Class 318s]]. This will allow eight [[British Rail Class 334|Class 334]]s to move onto the [[North Clyde Line]]/[[Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link]]. The final 14 Class 320s will run [[Cathcart Circle Lines]] and peak [[Inverclyde Line|Inverclyde]] services. This cascade is planned to be completed by March 2011.<ref>[http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/train-cascade-plan-announced.html Train Cascade Plan Announced | ScotRail]</ref> |
It is expected that eight Class 320s will be cascaded onto the [[Argyle Line]] alongside the [[British Rail Class 318|Class 318s]]. This will allow eight [[British Rail Class 334|Class 334]]s to move onto the [[North Clyde Line]]/[[Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link]]. The final 14 Class 320s will run [[Cathcart Circle Lines]] and peak [[Inverclyde Line|Inverclyde]] services. This cascade is planned to be completed by March 2011.<ref>[http://www.scotrail.co.uk/content/train-cascade-plan-announced.html Train Cascade Plan Announced | ScotRail]</ref> |
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==Named units== |
==Named units== |
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*320305: Glasgow School of Art 1844-150-1994 |
*320305: Glasgow School of Art 1844-150-1994 |
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Revision as of 18:25, 3 March 2010
| British Rail Class 320 | |
|---|---|
 Two Class 320 EMUs at Helensburgh Central | |
| Specifications | |
| Braking system(s) | Air (Westcode) |
The British Rail Class 320 is an alternating current (AC) electric multiple unit (EMU) train found on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) rail network in Central Scotland, and is used exclusively on the North Clyde Line between Helensburgh and Airdrie, North Lanarkshire via Glasgow Queen Street railway station.
Details
The Class 320 is effectively a 3-car derivative of the Class 321 units found in and around London and the Midlands. Built in 1990[1] by BREL in York, 22 3-car sets were ordered by SPT to supersede the aging Class 303 and Class 311 stock which were by then 30 years old.
The units run on 25 kV AC overhead line supply via a Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph, then routed to the transformer and then finally onto the four Brush TM2141B traction motors. With much shorter passenger journeys in mind, the Class 320 units lack the toilets of the Class 321 units and also have a lower speed capability (75 mph) due to the much closer spacing of stations on the North Clyde route. One distinctive feature is the interior decor, which includes paintings of various landmarks and famous sights along the various SPT rail routes on the car ends.
The Class 320 units are currently being fitted with GSM-R cab radios and will take part in the GSM-R trial in the Strathclyde area.
Operations
The units were originally supposed to operate on the Argyle Line but, mainly because the platform monitors on the Argyle Line stations do not line up with the driver cabs,[citation needed] units have always been restricted to the North Clyde route, although they were occasionally used for VIP trips from the high level platforms of Glasgow Central when they were the newest EMU stock in the SPT fleet.
Like all SPT rolling stock of the period, the Class 320s were painted in the orange/black livery until 1999, when the carmine/cream livery was progressively phased in. Since 2003, the Class 320 fleet has undergone a major interior refurbishment, with new seat covers, floor coverings, and electronic and audible destination information systems being installed. In September 2008 the Scottish Government's agency Transport Scotland announced that all ScotRail trains (including from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) would be eventually repainted in a new, blue livery with white Saltire markings on the carriage ends. It is expected that the 320s will be the next fleet to receive the new livery after Class 156. This will affect all the Class 320s.[2]
Future Operations
The units are expected to remain in service on the North Clyde Line until 2010 when the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link extension is completed. Beyond this date, services on the route will extend as far as Edinburgh Waverley railway station. The extended new line will have an increased line speed of 80 mph, making the 320s unsuitable. The lack of toilet facilities on the units is also a factor in their unsuitability for the extended line.
It is expected that eight Class 320s will be cascaded onto the Argyle Line alongside the Class 318s. This will allow eight Class 334s to move onto the North Clyde Line/Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link. The final 14 Class 320s will run Cathcart Circle Lines and peak Inverclyde services. This cascade is planned to be completed by March 2011.[3]
Named units
- 320305: Glasgow School of Art 1844-150-1994
- 320306: Model Rail Scotland
- 320308: High Road 20th Anniversary 2000
- 320309: Radio Clyde 25th Anniversary
- 320311: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- 320312: Sir William A Smith - Founder of the Boys' Brigade
- 320321: Rt Hon John Smith QC MP
- 320322: Festive Glasgow Orchid
References
External links
Photos of Class 320 units can be found on Rail Fan Europe.net.
