British Rail Class 312

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The front of a British Railways class 312 stock train in InterCity Blue/Grey livery passes through East London on a working to London Liverpool Street Station, as seen from the open window of another train. The yellow stripe above the windows denotes the 1st class seating, which for the convenience of 1st class passengers (so they should be nearer the ticket barrier) is at the London end of the train.

The British Rail Class 312 is a type of electric multiple unit built from 1975-78 intended for use on outer-suburban passenger services. It was the last class of multiple unit to be constructed to the Mark 2 bodyshell, and also the last with slam doors. This latter feature contributed to their relatively early withdrawal (between 25-28 years old, compared to a life expectancy of 30 years). Ironically, the examples withdrawn by First and later 'one' Great Eastern between 2003 and 2004 were slightly newer than most of the carriages the operator is introducing during 2005 for use on its premier express service.

[edit] Description

The table below illustrates the original formation, numbering and area of use for these units:

These units were based on the earlier Class 310 stock, used on the suburban services out of London Euston. The only significant difference between the various sub-classes was that the 312/1 units were also equipped to work on the 6.25kV AC overhead electrification system used on parts of the Great Eastern and London Tilbury & Southend networks.

[edit] British Rail

Inside a Class 312 driving trailer open as seen before refurbishment. For second class passengers these trains featured 3+2 high back seating. Also visible is that the passengers behind the driver were able to enjoy a driver's view of the route ahead, although sometimes the driver would close the blinds by the driver's cab rear window to block this view.

During the late 1980s, the units received an interior refurbishment, which saw the previous wooden panel interiors covered with fascia panels along with other alterations, including the removal of their window blinds! At the same time the units lost their blue/grey livery (312/1 and 312/2 units had been all-over blue when first introduced), in favour of Network SouthEast livery (the four 312/2 units also carried the West Midlands PTE yellow and blue livery for a while before their transfer to NSE).

Also during the late 1980s, all units were reallocated to new areas. The Class 312/0 units moved to the Great Eastern following the delivery of Class 317 units; the 312/1 units consequently moved to the London Tilbury & Southend line, displacing older Class 302 and 305 units. The Class 312/2 units also moved to the Great Eastern, being replaced by modified 310 units released by the arrival of Class 321 units. These moves were complete by the end of the 1980s, and henceforth allocations remained broadly stable until their withdrawal during 2003-04.

[edit] Post-Privatisation

Class 312, no. 312792, is seen at Shoeburyness in Essex on 29th March 2003. This was the final day of operation of the class on c2c. This unit is painted in Network South East livery. Since this photographs was taken, this unit has been scrapped.

Upon privatisation, the fleet was divided between three franchises.

[edit] Central Trains

Central Trains inheritied a small fleet of four units (nos. 312725-728). These were primarily used on fast Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street services, and were painted in Regional Railways livery. However, their stay with Central Trains did not last long, and all four were transferred to LTS Rail in 1996.

[edit] First Great Eastern

First Great Eastern inherited a fleet of 24 units (nos. 312701-724). These were used mainly on Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze and Manningtree to Harwich services, as well as London Liverpool Street to Ipswich and Clacton peak trains. In later years, two former LTS units (nos. 312728/784) were acquired to replace accident-damaged units (such as no. 312707 written-off by an arson attack).

Class 312, nos. 312718 and 312721, at Kirby Cross station in Essex on the 6th March 2004. These units were operating a farewell excursion train ('The Grand Slam') to commemorate their retirement from service. These two units were among the final three of their type in traffic with First Great Eastern, and were eventually withdrawn in June 2004.

In 2003, First Great Eastern acquired new Class 360 units to replace these trains. Units were gradually removed from traffic, and by March 2004, only three sets (nos. 312718/721/723) remained in service. A farewell charter train operated on their old haunts using two of these units. The final sets were used on peak trains, and were finally withdrawn in July 2004, after the arrival of the five Class 322 units, which had previously been on hire to ScotRail.

[edit] LTS Rail

LTS Rail inherited a fleet of 21 units (nos. 312729/730/781-799), which was later supplemented with the four former Central Trains units (nos. 312725-728). These later four units were repainted in Network SouthEast livery, some of the last vehicles to be so treated.

The final units were withdrawn from service in 2003, having been replaced by new Class 357/2 units. Two units were later transferred to First Great Eastern to supplement their fleet.

[edit] Further Use

No vehicles have been preserved, and all except one unit were disposed of in a mass-scrapping of units in 2004-2005. The last surviving unit, no. 312792, may have been acquired by the Fire Service for use in training exercises. But reports show it not at their site in 2007, so the deal may not happen and the unit scrapped?

Plans to try and save some of the vehicle from the unit that was meant to be going to the fire service are currently being looked into.

[edit] Fleet Details