British Rail Class 314
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) |
| British Rail Class 314 | |
|---|---|
| File:314CARDONALD.jpg | |
| In service | 1979 - 2015 (TBC) |
| Manufacturer | BREL York |
| Family name | BREL 1972 "PEP" |
| Constructed | 1979 |
| Number built | 16 trainsets |
| Formation | 3 cars per trainset DMSO+PTSO+DMSO |
| Fleet numbers | 314201 - 314216 |
| Capacity | 212 seats |
| Operators | First ScotRail |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 19.80 m (65 ft 0 in) |
| Width | 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 3.58 m (11 ft 9 in) |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Weight | 102.5 tonnes (100.9 long tons; 113.0 short tons) |
| Power output | 656 kW (880 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC Overhead |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
British Rail Class 314 alternating current (AC) electric multiple units (EMU) were built by BREL at York works in 1979. They were the third variety of British Rail's then-standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs, which eventually encompassed 755 vehicles and five classes (Class 313/314/315/507/508). Able to operate from 25 kV overhead line only, the fleet works inner-suburban services on the Strathclyde Passenger Transport rail network in Central Scotland.
Description
Sixteen Class 314 3-car units were introduced in late 1979 to operate on the then newly opened Argyle Line, and were used on both this and the North Clyde Line routes until 2002, when the scrapping of the elderly Class 303 stock led to much stock cascading within the SPT network. The Class 314 was based on the experimental Class 445 or "PEP" unit, the design of which spawned the sister Class 313 and Class 315 units which are used extensively in the London commuter area.
In line with the other PEP-based classes, the Class 314 units consist of two outer motor cars with an unpowered trailer vehicle in the middle, giving a technical description of DMSO+PTSO+DMSO. The coaches are of integral aluminium alloy construction based on a steel underframe. Each 3-car set can seat up to 220 people, and following the standard practice in the Glasgow suburban sector, peak time services can be formed by operating two units in multiple to form a 6-car train.
Current operations
Since 2002, they are mostly found working on the Cathcart Circle Lines (including the services to Newton and Neilston). A small number of units also usually work Inverclyde Line services to Wemyss Bay and Gourock, particularly during peak hours.
The Class 314 units are now the oldest on the SPT network, and were known for their unique unrefurbished interior (the leading motor coach of unit 314203 was replaced in 1992 by an ex-Class 507 coach after the original was destroyed in the Newton rail crash and differs from the other units, whilst units 314208 and 314212 were severely damaged when they were "drowned" in an Argyle Line tunnel following the River Kelvin bursting its banks in torrential rain at the end of 1994.[1] This was until 2011 when the first unit (314212) was refurbished including new corporate seat coverings and hand rails.
In May 2006, a limited mechanical overhaul programme to the units was initiated, with upgraded door mechanisms and upgrades to the electrics and Automatic Warning System (AWS) equipment. 314202 lost its classic SPT orange/black livery (the last remaining operational multiple unit in Scotland to carry the old livery) in favour of the current carmine/cream scheme when it passed through Glasgow Works at the end of November 2006. 314206 entered Glasgow Works on 20 July 2007. This was to be the final unit to receive a major overhaul pending a decision on the future of the Class 314 units.
The Class 314's are currently undergoing a refurbishment programme. All 16 sets will be refurbished internally, whilst 5 units will receive the new Scotrail saltire livery. The fleet will be taken through to 2015, when they will be scrapped.
Future
The Class 314s will operate the Cathcart Circle Line until the planned withdrawal date in 2015.
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. Relivery of the first, out of five, unit began in April 2011.[2][3]
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 314 | First ScotRail | 16 | 1979 | 3 | 314201 - 314216 |
References
- ^ "hiddenglasgow::Glasgow Central Low Level Railway Flood". Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ "News Journal" (PDF). Railway Herald. No. 264. 2011-04-18. p. 3. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ Class 314 Relivery and Overhaul 2011-2012 - scot-rail.co.uk. Retrieved 02 April 2011.
