British Rail Class 310
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The British Rail Class 310 is a slam-door electric multiple unit introduced in 1966 as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification project. Constructed at Derby Carriage Works, they consisted of four carriages - a second class driving trailer, a second class trailer, a second class motor car (with guard's/luggage compartment above which the pantograph was mounted) and a composite (1st and 2nd class) driving trailer. The maximum speed was 75 miles per hour. A glass partition behind the drivers' cab enabled passengers in the leading and rear coaches to have an excellent view of the line ahead.
Original livery was overall rail blue, later amended to the familiar blue and grey colour scheme.
Initially they were primarily used on local services from London Euston (to Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Birmingham) and within the West Midlands. They were also the first EMU's to be based on the Mark 2 bodyshell, which featured semi-integral construction.
During the mid 1980's they undertook their heavy C1 repair at Wolverton which included new flat windscreens, corridor connection between the TSO & the MBS, and a PA system among other things.
The main fleet of class 310/0 was replaced on the Euston commuter routes with Class 317/11 units which began entering service on the route in the late 1987, however the 317's were then superceded by the build of class 321/4, this happened almost within 2 years of 317 taking over from class 310.
All Class 310 units that survived into the 21st century were withdrawn between 2001 and 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Sub-classes
310/0- Four car units. All 310s were originally 310/0s.
310/1- three car units modified for use in the Midlands.
[edit] Privatisation
All 310/0 units came under the control of LTS Rail (now c2c). They were replaced by Class 357|Class 357]] units.
The thirteen 310/1 units came under the control of Central Trains. All were withdrawn by 2002, replaced by a mixture of Class 170 and Class 323 units.
[edit] Departmental Usage
Two class 310/1 units, numbers 310109 and 310113 were used to create a single departmental unit, 960201. This four-car unit also includes a 3rd rail vehicle. It is used by Hitachi and is the only 310 left in service.
[edit] Preservation
There is some talk of seeing a Class 310 preserved, but due to asbestos, at best this would be a stripped carriage.
