British Rail Class 305

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British Rail Class 305
A failed (broken down) Class 305 train at platform 8 of Stratford station. In the background can be seen part of a London Transport Central Line 1962 stock tube train.
A failed (broken down) Class 305 train at platform 8 of Stratford station. In the background can be seen part of a London Transport Central Line 1962 stock tube train.

In service 1960 - 2002
Manufacturer BR York/Doncaster
Number built 71 trainsets
Formation 3/4 cars per trainset
Capacity 272 seats
Operator British Rail
Specifications
Maximum speed 75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight 118 t
Gauge 4ft 8.5in (1,435 mm)
Voltage 25 kV AC Overhead

The British Rail Class 305 was an AC Electric Multiple Unit. Under the pre-1973 British Rail numbering system, the class was known as the AM5. When TOPS as introduced, the class became class 305.

[edit] General Details

The Class was comprised of two sub classes:

305/1 3-car units, standard class accommodation only, built 1960
305/2 4-car units, first and standard class accommodation, built 1959

305/1 units were generally deployed on inner suburban services on the Lea Valley Line out of London Liverpool Street to Chingford, Enfield Town and Hertford East. However, they were also used on the Great Eastern lines out of London Liverpool Street and occasionally worked out of their ‘normal’ operating area when coupled to a 305/2 unit or any of the compatible EMUs in use at the time. 305/1 units were replaced from 1980 onwards by the British Rail Class 315 units. They were not used elsewhere and all examples of the sub class were scrapped.

305/2 units were generally deployed on outer suburban services on the Lea Valley Line out of London Liverpool Street to Bishops Stortford (the extent of electrification until 1987). Like the 305/1s, they could occasionally be seen on other services out of Liverpool Street and were sometimes coupled to other compatible EMUs. The 305/2s were initially replaced on the Lea Valley Line by the British Rail Class 312 during the late 1980s/early 1990s, although services in this area were eventually handed over to British Rail Class 317. Most of the 305/2s moved to the Manchester area, taking over services previously diagrammed by Class 304s. The remainder moved to Glasgow Shields depot, finishing their working lives running the route from Edinburgh to North Berwick.

[edit] Preservation Attempts

AC EMU Group did start out aiming to save a Class 305 Driver trailer, but by the time funding was found, they had all been cut, so a Class 308 Driver trailer was saved.