British Rail Class 319

Summary

The British Rail Class 319 is an electric multiple unit passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for use on north–south cross-London services. These dual-voltage trains are capable of operating on 25 kV 50 Hz from AC overhead wires or 750 V DC from a third rail.

British Rail Class 319
The refurbished interior of a Northern Trains Class 319 in November 2023.
In service1987–present
ManufacturerBritish Rail Engineering Limited[1]
Built atHolgate Road Works, York
Family nameBR Second Generation (Mark 3)
Replaced
Constructed1987–1988, 1990[2]
Refurbished1996–1999[1]
Number built86
Number in service
  • 3
  • (plus 2 converted to Cl. 768, 35 to Cl. 769, and 2 to Cl. 799)
Number scrapped38
Successor
Formation
  • 4 cars per 319/0 unit:
  • DTSO(A)-MSO-TSOL-DTSO(B)
  • 4 cars per 319/1 unit:
  • DTCO-MSO-TSOL-DTSO
Diagram
  • 319/0 DTSO(A) vehs.: EE233[4]
  • 319/0 MSO vehs.: EC209
  • 319/0 TSOL vehs.: EH234
  • 319/0 DTSO(B) vehs.: EE234
  • 319/1 DTCO vehs.: EE310[5]
  • 319/1 MSO vehs.: EC214
  • 319/1 TSOL vehs.: EH238
  • 319/1 DTSO vehs.: EE240
Fleet numbers
  • As built:[5]
  • 319001–319060
  • 319161–319186
  • Post-1999:[1]
  • 319001–319013
  • 319214–319220
  • 319361–319386
  • 319421–319460
Capacity
  • 319/0 as-built: 316 seats[4]
  • 319/1 as-built: 272 seats
    (16 first-class, 256 standard)[2]
OwnersPorterbrook
Operators
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel[4]
Car length
  • DT vehs.: 19.830 m (65 ft 0.7 in)[4]
  • Others: 19.920 m (65 ft 4.3 in)[4]
Width2.816 m (9 ft 2.9 in)[4]
Height3.774 m (12 ft 4.6 in)[4]
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding pocket, each 1.010 m (3 ft 3.8 in) wide (2 per side per car)[4]
WheelbaseOver bogie centres:
14.170 m (46 ft 5.9 in)[4]
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)[1]
Weight
  • 319/0 units as-built:[4]
  • DTSO(A) vehs.: 28.2 t (27.8 long tons; 31.1 short tons)
  • MSO vehs.: 49.2 t (48.4 long tons; 54.2 short tons)
  • TSO vehs.: 31.0 t (30.5 long tons; 34.2 short tons)
  • DTSO(B) vehs.: 28.1 t (27.7 long tons; 31.0 short tons)
Traction systemGTO thyristor[1]
Traction motors4 × GEC G315BZ[1]
Power output990 kW (1,330 hp)[5]
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: BREL P7-4
  • Unpowered: BREL T3-7[4]
Minimum turning radius70.4 m (231 ft 0 in)[4]
Braking system(s)
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemTightlock[4]
Multiple workingWithin class[2]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

Built in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990, the units were primarily used on the then-new Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton and various other destinations south of London. The majority of the fleet remained in use on the Thameslink route after its reshaping and privatisation in 1997. Some of the fleet was also used by Connex South Central and latterly Southern on various services operating out of London Victoria, including flagship expresses to Brighton.

A total of 44 sets were converted to Class 769s which is a mixture of Bi-mode multiple units (BMU) and Tri-mode multiple units. Two Class 319s have been converted to a tri-mode Class 799 which runs on hydrogen and electricity with the 25 kV AC and 750 V DC equipment retained.

Description edit

 
Network SouthEast Class 319/0 at Bedford

Plans for north–south railways across central London go back to the 1940s at least, when there were several proposals in the 1943 County of London Plan which were developed further in a following report[6] in 1946.

The Victoria line, which opened in stages from 1968, had been one of the routes suggested in these plans. Another involved reviving the disused Farringdon to Blackfriars route for passenger trains, and this began to be considered seriously in the 1970s. The British Railways Board then developed plans for what would become Thameslink, and the newly created business sector of Network SouthEast inherited responsibility for the project in 1986. Services between Bedford, Farringdon, Blackfriars and Brighton began under the Thameslink brand in 1988.

As the Thameslink service was to use a route with 25 kV AC OHLE north of Farringdon and along the branch to Moorgate, and 750 V DC third-rail electrification south of Farringdon, the Class 319 trains were equipped for dual-voltage operation. They were also the first British Rail units to use modern thyristor control in place of a camshaft and resistor bank.[7][page needed]

The body shape of the Class 319 is slightly different from contemporary electric units due to restrictions in the loading gauge in Kings Cross Tunnel, which meant that other dual-voltage units were not suitable.[citation needed] They were also required to have emergency end doors in the cabs,[8] due to the twin single-bore layout of Smithfield tunnel preventing normal train evacuation.

Two sub-classes of Class 319 units, 60 Class 319/0s and 26 Class 319/1s, were originally built.[9] Over the years, the units have been refurbished, creating five sub-classes, of which four still exist.

Class 321 passenger units and Class 325 postal units were developed from the Class 319 design,[7] using similar traction equipment and the same steel body design, with revised cab designs. The 325 units used a Networker style cab design.

Class 319/0 edit

The first batch of 60 units, built in 1987 and 1988, was classified as Class 319/0. Units were numbered in the range 319001–060 and had a maximum speed of 100 mph (161 km/h). Each unit consisted of four steel carriages: two outer driving trailers, an intermediate motor with a roof-mounted Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph and four DC GEC G315BZ traction motors (two per bogie), and an intermediate trailer housing a compressor, motor alternator and two toilets. Seating was standard-class only, in 2+3 layout.

The technical description of the unit formation is DTSO(A)+MSO+TSO+DTSO(B).[2] Individual vehicles were numbered as follows:

  • 77291–77381 (odd) and 77431–77457 (odd) — DTSO(A)
  • 62891–62936 and 62961–62974 — MSO
  • 71772–71817 and 71866–71879 — TSO
  • 77290–77380 (even) and 77430–77456 (even) — DTSO(B)

Vehicles were numbered in two ranges, corresponding to units 319001–046 and 319047–060. The gaps in the number series (e.g. 77382–77429) were filled by the Class 442 units, built around the same period.

The DTSO(B) vehicles originally featured a lockable sliding door between the driving cab and the first set of power doors and tip-up longitudinal seating to enable parcels to be carried securely. This facility was rarely used and the sliding door has been removed.

Unit 319011 is the only remaining member of the 319/0 subclass; all others were converted to Class 319/2 or Class 319/4 in the late 1990s, or Class 768s Class 769s or Class 799s in the 2010s or scrapped.

Class 319/1 edit

Built in 1990, this second batch of 26 units was numbered in the range 319161–186. The formation of the second batch of sets was similar to that of the earlier units, with the addition of first-class seating at one end of the train for use on longer-distance Bedford to Brighton services. Like the first batch, standard-class seating was of a 2+3 layout. First-class seating was in 2+2 layout.

Units were formed in the arrangement DTCO+MSO+TSO+DTSO.[2] Individual vehicles were numbered as follows:

  • 77459–77497 (odd) and 77971–77983 (odd) — DTCO
  • 63043–63062 and 63093–63098 — MSO
  • 71929–71948 and 71979–71984 — TSO
  • 77458–77496 (even) and 77972–77984 (even) — DTSO

Vehicles were numbered in two ranges, corresponding to units 319161–180 and 319181–186. A more modern Brecknell Willis high speed pantograph was also fitted.

All were converted to Class 319/3 in the late 1990s.

Class 319/2 edit

In 1997, seven of the Class 319/0 sets were converted especially for use on Connex South Central express services between London Victoria and Brighton. Work carried out at Railcare Wolverton included new, lower-density seating, a disabled toilet, and a special 'lounge' seating area in the saloon space below the pantograph in the MSO, where stowage for a refreshment trolley and a small serving counter were also fitted.

Units involved were renumbered from 319014–020 to 319214–220. They retain their low-density layout, but the lounge area was replaced by standard seating since following their return to use on Thameslink services.

Class 319/3 edit

 
BR class 319 unit in Eastleigh Works

In the period 1997–99, Thameslink arranged for all of its 319/1 units to be converted at Eastleigh Works for use on the shorter-distance Luton to Sutton/Wimbledon services, then known as 'Thameslink CityMetro'. These units lost their first-class seating and were renumbered into the 319/3 series. They were painted in a navy-blue and yellow livery at this time.

Various refurbishments have taken place since 1999, including:

  • Minor refresh by Thameslink including new seat covers between 2003 and 2005
  • Relivery and interior refresh by Railcare Wolverton for First Capital Connect completed in 2010
  • New passenger information system, new seat covers and an internal and external repaint for units transferring to Northern Rail and similar work for those remaining on Thameslink in the interim, starting in 2014.

Class 319/4 edit

 
Thameslink Class 319/4 arrives at St Albans City
 
The refurbished Thameslink interior of a Class 319/4

Units 319021-060 were refurbished for Thameslink at Railcare Wolverton from 1997 to 1998. Work included the installation of a first-class compartment at one end, in the DTSO(A) vehicle and the removal of some seating in the centre of each vehicle to give 2+2 layout. Cosmetic improvements included new carpets and seat coverings, as well as application of the navy-blue Thameslink livery.

Upon completion, these units were renumbered as 319421-460 and moved on to the Bedford to Brighton service, branded as 'Thameslink Cityflier'.

From 2003 to 2005, during the Thameslink blockade, some minor interior updating took place such as recovering seats with an updated Thameslink moquette. First-class compartments were refurbished with new carpet, retrimmed seats and chrome-plated heater panels, apart from unit 319444, which retained its 1997-designed interior.

A later refresh was unveiled by the then-new operator First Capital Connect on 26 October 2006. Unit 319425 was renamed Transforming Travel for the occasion and showcased the following improvements:

  • Emergency brake pressure increased to the +12% G standard, giving an extra 1 Bar brake cylinder pressure in emergency
  • Emergency brake 'timeout' period reduced from 2 minutes to 20 seconds
  • DC traction motors rewound to improve reliability
  • Improved motor control hardware with a new Remote Communications Frame
  • New 'easy to clean' flooring
  • Retrimmed seats into the First Capital Connect moquette
  • Some seats in standard class were removed and vertical luggage stacks installed in their place; a further two seats were removed in the TSO vehicle to allow easier access to the toilet
  • Repainted dado side panels and wall ends
  • Existing stanchions painted pink
  • New stanchions leading from some seats to the overhead luggage rack to provide standing passengers with something to hold on to and more support
  • Improved, brighter fluorescent lighting diffusers

The refresh took place at Railcare Wolverton works and also featured both a mechanical overhaul (under the solebar) and a full exterior relivery, again in vinyl. Some Class 319/4 units have had their Stone Faiveley AMBR air and spring pantograph replaced by the more modern Brecknell Willis High Speed air-only pantograph design.

Future operations edit

Rail Operations Group/Orion edit

Orion High Speed Logistics is aiming to launch its first trial service conveying parcels and light freight in April 2021, with the Midlands to Mossend now likely to be the debut flow. Arlington Fleet Services at Eastleigh Works is modifying the interiors of the units to accommodate roller cages for parcels, with the aim of operating primarily under electric power but with the 769s using their diesel engines to act as tractor units for the 319s over non-electrified routes. Orion unveiled its first modified 319, No 319373, at Eastleigh in August 2020, and from 18 to 20 January 2021 showcased the unit to potential partners and customers at Maritime Transport's Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal at Birch Coppice.[10] The first of ten Class 768s was scheduled to enter service in 2021.[11]

Former operations edit

London Midland/London NorthWestern Railway edit

 
London Midland Class 319/4 at St Albans Abbey
 
The London Midland refreshed interior of a Class 319

Seven units were transferred to London Midland in 2015 to operate the Watford Junction to St Albans service and some peak West Coast Main Line services out of London Euston.[12] These replaced the seven Class 321 units that transferred to Abellio ScotRail.[13][14] In April 2017, one of the five Class 319/4 units, 319455, was swapped for 319433, with the latter receiving a light refresh and a repaint before entering service.[citation needed]

In December 2017, West Midlands Trains (a consortium of Abellio, JR East and Mitsui) took over the operation of the West Midlands rail franchise, with the seven Class 319 units initially leased by London Midland transferring to the new operator under the London Northwestern Railway brand.[citation needed]

A week after the start of the new franchise, West Midlands Trains leased additional Class 319 units, which had previously operated with Thameslink. These extra units enabled the company to take their Class 350/1 and 350/3 Desiro units out of service for their planned refurbishment.[15]

All of the Class 319 units operated by London Northwestern Railway were withdrawn on 27 November 2023 after being replaced by Class 730 units.[16]

Thameslink edit

 
The first refurbished Class 319/4 for First Capital Connect was 319425, seen here at Bedford

With the first units entering service for Thameslink in 1988, Class 319s were a mainstay on the Thameslink network for almost three decades. In early 2015, the first batch of units were withdrawn from the network after being displaced by Class 387 units.

Twenty Class 319/3s transferred to Northern Rail for newly electrified lines in the North West, with the first units entering service in March 2015 after a light refurbishment. A further seven units left the network in 2015, transferring to London Midland to replace their Class 321 units, which had transferred to Abellio ScotRail.

Since the introduction of the new Class 700 units in June 2016, Class 319s departed the network as new trains have entered service. A further batch of twelve units transferred to the North West of England for service with Arriva Rail North, with the remainder being placed into storage at Long Marston. The six remaining Class 319 units were withdrawn from Thameslink service on 27 August 2017, around 30 years after their initial introduction to service.[17]

Following their withdrawal, a number of additional units were allocated to the North West and the West Midlands to boost capacity.

Northern Rail/Arriva Rail North/Northern Trains edit

 
Arriva Rail North Class 319/3 at Liverpool Lime Street

To operate on newly electrified routes in the North West of England, Northern Rail received twenty Class 319/3 units after they were replaced by brand new Class 387 units. The first Northern Rail service to be operated by Class 319s was the Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport via Chat Moss service on 5 March 2015.[18] From 17 May 2015, the Liverpool Lime Street to Wigan North Western via Huyton route followed suit.[19]

The first batch of units which transferred to Northern Rail underwent a light refurbishment at Wolverton Works and were repainted into a dedicated Northern Electrics livery, although all of these units had been repainted into Northern's livery by mid 2018.

Other services operated by Class 319s included Crewe to Liverpool via Earlestown, Liverpool to Warrington Bank Quay and Liverpool to Wigan North Western and Blackpool North. In April 2016, these units transferred to the then-new franchise operator Arriva Rail North, who later leased an additional fifteen Class 319s to operate on newly electrified services from Blackpool North, with these commencing in May 2018.

In December 2016, it was announced that some 319 were to be converted to Class 769 Flex bi-mode multiple units by Brush Traction at Loughborough, and were planned to enter service with Arriva Rail North in 2018.[20]

In August 2019, it was confirmed that all 319s were planned to leave Arriva Rail North to be replaced by 17 of the 26 Class 323 units operated by West Midlands Trains. This was expected to occur once new rolling stock is in operation with West Midlands Trains.[21] However instead the Class 319s were replaced by Class 331 units.[3]

On 1 March 2020, following the collapse of previous operator Arriva Rail North, the Northern 319s transferred to new government-owned operator Northern Trains.

In September 2023 it was reported that Northern Trains planned to withdraw its Class 319 fleet by the end of 2023,[22] later delayed until January 2024.[16]

Northern Trains withdrew its Class 319 fleet on 2 January 2024.[23]

Southern edit

 
Southern Class 319 at Sutton

When British Rail was privatised in the mid-1990s, the first 13 units (319001–013) were used for outer-suburban services by Connex South Central, with some temporarily losing their 25 kV AC overhead equipment.

Seven more of the Class 319/0 sets (319014–020) were refurbished and dedicated to express services between London Victoria and Brighton, before later finding work on peak-only London Victoria to Guildford via West Croydon and London Victoria to Horsham via Three Bridges services. The dual-voltage capability was also used to introduce new services linking Rugby and Gatwick Airport[24] via the West Coast and West London Lines in the 1990s.

Successor company Southern continued to operate the fleet and reliveried it into its own colour scheme. It later went on to sublease Class 319/0 units to First Capital Connect for use on the Thameslink route, before eventually releasing the entire fleet.[citation needed]

Notable units edit

Units 319008 Cheriton and 319009 Coquelles are notable for two reasons:

  • On 10 December 1993, they travelled through the Channel Tunnel from Sandling to Calais-Fréthun and back with a party of invited guests, after the construction consortium TransManche Link (who were responsible for the construction of the Tunnel) had transferred responsibility for operations and management over to Eurotunnel. Their pantographs were modified at Selhurst Depot beforehand to account for the higher OHL height at Cheriton and in the tunnel. For the subsequent "Folkestone 1994" event on 7 May 1994, which saw the first paying members of the public taken into the tunnel by train. On 26 March 1994 units 319008 and 319009 were named Cheriton and Coquelles respectively at Victoria and plaques adorned with the Union Flag and Tricolore were installed on their motor carriages.[25] Cheriton was transferred to KeolisAmey Wales where it was used on the Valley Lines after release by Thameslink, whilst Coquelles has been transferred for use with Rail Operations Group.[citation needed]
  • On 26 March 1994, they set a record for the shortest London to Brighton journey time, at 37 minutes 57 seconds. This record stood until 2005 when the "Speed Run" event, organised by Southern, using Class 377 units 377472 and 377474 set a slightly quicker record of 36 minutes 56 seconds.[26]

Named units edit

Named units were as follows:

Accidents edit

Conversion to bi-mode and tri-mode edit

 
769959 on trials at Guildford

In December 2016, Arriva UK Trains subsidiary Northern and Porterbrook announced a plan to convert eight Class 319/4 electric multiple units to bi-mode units, to allow through working between electrified and non-electrified routes. These units, which were initially marketed as "Class 319 Flex" before being designated as Class 769 under TOPS, use two diesel powered alternators fitted under each of the driving trailer vehicles, to power the traction motors through the train's existing DC bus.

The modifications, which were carried out by Brush, will enable units to operate on electrified and non-electrified routes, using both 25 kV AC overhead wires and 750 V DC third rail. Each generator set consists of a MAN D2876 diesel engine driving an ABB alternator.[32] The first units were expected to enter service with Arriva Rail North by spring 2018,[33][34] but were delayed until 2019.[35]

In July 2017, five units Class 769s were ordered by the Welsh Government for the Wales & Borders franchise, to enable Class 150 and Class 158 diesel multiple units to be released from service to undergo modifications to comply with PRM regulations, as well as allowing the company to increase its fleet capacity.[36] Transport for Wales held an option for a further four, which they took up in November 2018.[37]

Transport for Wales' allocation of nine Class 769s were converted from five Class 319/0 and four Class 319/4 units, with the former being the ones ordered under Arriva Trains Wales and the latter being the optional extras selected by KeolisAmey Wales. The first unit, 769002, was delivered to Cardiff Canton depot in March 2019.[38] The class 769 first entered service in November 2020.[39]

Transport for Wales Rail withdrew the last of its Class 769 fleet on 19 May 2023.[40]

Other planned operators of the Class 769 included Great Western Railway.[41] Great Western Railway's units were planned to retain their third-rail pickup shoes.

The introduction of the Great Western Railway Tri-mode Class 769s was abandon in December 2023.[42]

In December 2018, Rail Operations Group (ROG) ordered two Class 769s that were in the process of being developed by Brush Traction from redundant Class 319s. However unlike the Class 769s that remained as passenger trains, ROG's Orion High Speed Trains subsidiary intends to operate them as parcel carriers from London Liverpool Street to London Gateway.[43] In February 2020, a further three were ordered to allow services to be introduced the Midlands to Scotland via the West Coast Main Line.[44] > A further five has since been ordered. Originally to be classified as Class 769/5s, they were reclassified as the Class 768 before first was completed.[45] Two Class 319s, 319001 and 319382, have been converted to a Class 799. They will run on hydrogen on non-electrified routes whilst retaining the existing 25 kV AC and 750 V DC equipment for electrified routes.[46]

Other uses edit

In 2020 GB Railfreight used a Class 319 in a trial of a parcel delivery service.[47]

Fleet details edit

Class Operator Qty. Year built[1] Cars per unit Unit nos. Notes
319/0 Converted to Class 799 1 1987–1988 4 319001[48] Original fleet.
Converted to Class 769 5 319002–319003, 319006–319008[48]
Scrapped 4 319004, 319005, 319012, 319013[48][49]
Converted to Class 768 2 319009, 319010[48]
Rail Operations Group 1 319011[50]
319/2 Scrapped 6 319214–319219[48][51][52][53] Originally 319/0 units 319014–319020, reclassified as 319/2 during 1996–1997 refurbishment.[1]
MOD 1 319220[51]
319/3 Stored 2 1990 319371,[54] 319378[citation needed] Originally 319/1 units 319161–319186, reclassified as 319/3 during 1997–1999 refurbishment.[1]
Scrapped 21 319361–319369, 319370, 319372, 319374-319376, 319378-319379, 319381, 319383-319386[16][48][52][55][56][57][58][59]
Rail Operations Group 3 319373, 319377, 319380[50]
Converted to Class 799 1 319382[48]
319/4 Converted to Class 769 31 1987–1988 319421–319428, 319430–319432, 319434–319440, 319442–319450, 319452, 319456, 319458–319459[48] Originally 319/0 units 319021–319060, reclassified as 319/4 during 1997–1998 refurbishment.[1]
Rail Operations Group 1 319441[50]
Scrapped 9 319429, 319433, 319439, 319451, 319453, 319454-319455 319457, 319460[48][49][60][61][62]

Livery details edit

 
Network SouthEast livery 1987 – 1996
 
Connex South Central livery[63] 1996 – 2001
 
Thameslink livery 1996 – 2006
 
Thameslink livery 2004 – 2006
 
Thameslink Project Livery applied to 319364 & 319365 2007-2013
 
Southern livery[63] 2001 – 2008
 
First Capital Connect livery[63] 2006 – 2017
 
Thameslink Blue door livery 2014 – 2017
 
Northern Rail livery 2015 – 2016
 
Northern livery 2017 - 2024
 
London Northwestern Railway livery 2017 – 2023

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Class 319 Electric Multiple Unit (PDF) (1A ed.). Derby: Porterbrook. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Class 319". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b Miles, Tony (February 2024). "'319s' finish with Northern". Moving Wheels. Modern Railways. No. 905. p. 87.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Vehicle Diagram Book No. 210 for Electrical Multiple Units (including A.P.T.)" (PDF). Barrowmore MRG. BRB Residuary Ltd. January 1988. EC209, EE233–EE234, EH234 (in work pp. 86–87, 176–179, 314–315). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Fox, Peter (1994). British Railways Pocket Book No. 4: Electric Multiple Units (7th ed.). Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. pp. 32–34. ISBN 9781872524603.
  6. ^ Railway (London Plan] Committee: Report to the Minister for War Transport, 21 January 1946. London, 1946
  7. ^ a b Green, Chris; Vincent, Mike (2014). The Network SouthEast Story. Oxford Publishing. ISBN 9780860936534.
  8. ^ Thameslink - Moorgate Branch: Local instructions/Working over book (July 1999)
  9. ^ Marsden, Colin J. (2008). The DC Electrics. Ian Allan. p. 138. ISBN 9780860936152. OCLC 318668763.
  10. ^ Orion targets April for parcels service Modern Railways issue 870 March 2021 page 18
  11. ^ "Orion's Class 768 freight unit breaks cover". Modern Railways. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Train accessibility". London Midland. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  13. ^ "ScotRail to receive LM Class 321/4s". Rail Magazine. No. 766. 21 January 2015. p. 27.
  14. ^ "London Midland 321s Scotland Bound". Railways Illustrated. No. September 2015. p. 10.
  15. ^ "News In Brief - '319/0' refurbishment". RAIL Magazine. No. 857. Bauer Media. 18 July 2018. p. 29.
  16. ^ a b c "LNWR Class 319s head for scrap". Rail Magazine. No. 998. 13 December 2023. p. 17.
  17. ^ Thameslink replaces last of 30 year old Class 319 fleet Archived 15 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Rail Technology Magazine 1 September 2017
  18. ^ "Northern '319s' in service". Modern Railways. Key Publishing. 5 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Electric services to Wigan and Manchester Victoria start in May". Rail Magazine. 13 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  20. ^ "Porterbrook and Northern to introduce bi-mode Class 319 Flex trains". Porterbook. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  21. ^ Clinnick, Richard (16 August 2019). "Class 323s to remain with Northern". Rail Magazine. Peterborough. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Northern plans 319 withdrawal". Today's Railways UK. No. 260. October 2023. p. 62.
  23. ^ "Northern '319' sign off". News in pictures. Rail Magazine. No. 1001. 24 January 2024. p. 28.
  24. ^ "Track Record". BBC News. 29 November 1999. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  25. ^ a b c "Class 319". www.kentrail.org.uk. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  26. ^ Duff, Colin. "Southern's Speed Run 2005". Southern Electric Group. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  27. ^ "Shed Talk". Rail Express. No. March 2021. p. 19.
  28. ^ "'Northern Powerhouse' joins Northern Rail's electric fleet" (Press release). Northern Rail. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  29. ^ "JC Days RSI Technical log - Unit 319369: 'Pan Up/Down EP Valve' failed in the Up position". Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Railway Group Safety Performance Monitoring – Definitions and Guidance - Section B 8.5 Train accidents" (PDF). RSSB. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  31. ^ "Thameslink train hits roof at London's Blackfriars station - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 2 January 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  32. ^ Clinnick, Richard (14 February 2017). "Flex... and flexibility". Rail. No. 819. pp. 60–65.
  33. ^ "Porterbrook and Northern to develop electro-diesel MU". Railway Gazette. London. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  34. ^ "Porterbrook and Northern to introduce bi-mode Class 319 Flex Trains" (Press release). Derby: Porterbrook Leasing Company. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017.
  35. ^ Clinnick, Richard. "EXCLUSIVE: Northern to introduce converted bi-modes next year". Rail. Peterborough. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  36. ^ "Class 319 Flex electro-diesel multiple-units for Wales". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017.
  37. ^ "Four more 769s for TfW". Today's Railways UK. No. 204. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. December 2018. p. 72. ISSN 1475-9713.
  38. ^ "'Wales welcomes its first Bi-mode Class 769 FLEX". Rail Magazine. No. 875. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 27 March 2019. p. 35. ISSN 0953-4563.
  39. ^ Sherratt, P. (14 April 2021). "Wales awaits new fleets". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  40. ^ "Class 769 Flex". Units. Rail Express. No. 326. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. July 2023. p. 23. ISSN 1362-234X.
  41. ^ "GWR to lease Class 769 Flex 'trimode' trainsets". Railway Gazette. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  42. ^ "GWR fleet to shrink further as it abandons Class 769 introduction". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  43. ^ "Faster rolling stock identified as key to shifting logistics traffic onto rail". Rail Magazine. No. 868. 19 December 2018. p. 8.
  44. ^ "ROG targets extra Flexs for logistics traffic". Rail Magazine. No. 899. 26 February 2020. p. 28.
  45. ^ "Anglo-Scottish Debut for Orion". Modern Railways. No. 875. August 2021. p. 21.
  46. ^ Dobell, Malcolm. "Hydroflex - the next iteration of the Flex concept". Rail Engineer. Retrieved 7 December 2018.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ "GB Railfreight trials express commuter trains to transport vital freight". Global Railway Review. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i Russel, David (February 2023). "Class 319 fleet in focus". Rail Express. No. 321. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 26.
  49. ^ a b "Shed Talk". Rail Express. No. 328. September 2023. p. 23.
  50. ^ a b c "End of an electric era". Railways Illustrated. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. October 2022. pp. 50–55.
  51. ^ a b Butlin, Ashley. "Stock Update". The Railway Magazine. No. December 2023. p. 91.
  52. ^ a b Butlin, Ashley (January 2024). "Multiplie Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1474. p. 81.
  53. ^ Butlin, Ashley (April 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1477. p. 83.
  54. ^ Russell, David (March 2024). "Class 319". Units. Rail Express. No. 334. pp. 23–24.
  55. ^ Russell, David (February 2024). "Northern Class 319s sent for scrap". Units. Rail Express. No. 333. p. 22.
  56. ^ Butlin, Ashley (May 2023). "Stock Changes". Track Record. The Railway Magazine. No. 1466. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 93. ISSN 0033-8923.
  57. ^ "Northern 319s given short stay of execution". Today's Railways UK. No. 264. February 2024. p. 60.
  58. ^ "More Class 319s moved for scrap". Rail Magazine. No. 1001. 24 January 2024. p. 23.
  59. ^ Butlin, Ashley (March 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1467. p. 89.
  60. ^ "Class 319". UNITS. Rail Express. No. 327. August 2023. p. 22.
  61. ^ Butlin, Ashley (February 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1475. p. 89.
  62. ^ "'Innovation Hub' Class 319 scrapped". In Brief. Rail Express. No. 336. May 2024. p. 9.
  63. ^ a b c "Class 319". kentrail.org.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2023.

Further reading edit

  • Knight, Steven (12 February 1997). "All aboard the Connex Express". Rail. No. 298. Peterborough. pp. 30–33.
  • Marsden, Colin J. (2011). Traction Recognition (2nd ed.). Ian Allan. pp. 184–187. ISBN 9780711034945. OCLC 751525080.

External links edit

  • Porterbrook Brochure
  • Porterbrook FLEX Video