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British Rail Class 321 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 321
321404 at Euston 2.jpg
Class 321 unit no. 321404 at Euston railway station.
In service 1988-Current
Manufacturer BREL
Number built 117 trainsets
Formation 4 cars per trainset
Operator(s) Greater Anglia
Specifications
Car length 19.95 m (65.5 ft)
Width 2.82 m (9.3 ft)
Height 3.78 m (12.4 ft)
Maximum speed 100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight Total - 137.9 tonnes
Power output 1,328hp (996kW)
Electric system(s) 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Track gauge Standard gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
321362 at Manningtree
Class 321/3, no. 321362 at Manningtree on 8th March 2003. This unit carries the original-version First Great Eastern livery, which is based on the old Network SouthEast livery.

The British Rail Class 321 alternating current (AC) electric multiple units (EMU) were built by BREL York in three batches from 1986-1989. The design was very successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322 units for use by Strathclyde PTE and Stansted Express (now used by Greater Anglia) respectively. The bodyshell design was also used for construction of the Class 456 direct current (DC) units. The Class 321s were nicknamed 'Dusty Bins', due to the class number sharing the same name as the game show 3-2-1. (This name has also been given to the diesel multiple unit (DMU) Class 153 no. 153321 for the same reason).

Past operations

Class 321s were originally built for the Bedford services. However, in 1990, they started being used on Great Eastern Main Line services to Southend Victoria, Braintree and Clacton, to replace the class 302 and 305 EMUs, many of which were approaching 50 years old. Some 321s (many of the 3214s) were sent to work inter-regional services for Silverlink, and then briefly for London Midland, primarily on Euston to Northampton/Milton Keynes/Tring services.



Images for kids

  • 321401 - Rugby (8959162488)

    321401 in Network SouthEast livery at Rugby

  • 321903 B Doncaster

    321903 in West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive livery at Doncaster

  • 321425 A A Watford Junction

    Silverlink liveried 321425 at Watford Junction

  • 321411 Watford Junction E

    London Midland 321411 at Watford Junction

  • 321901 at Doncaster

    Arriva Trains Northern 321901 at Doncaster in June 2004

  • 321304 Ipswich

    Refurbished Class 321 Renatus No. 321304 at Ipswich in December 2016

  • 321303 MSO Standard Class Interior

    The interior of Standard Class aboard a Renatus refurbished Class 321

  • Class 321 New Greater Anglia Diagram

    Greater Anglia Class 321

  • Class 321 Diagram

    Greater Anglia (ex-NXEA) Class 321

  • Class 321 Greater Anglia Renatus Diagram

    Greater Anglia (Renatus) Class 321

  • Class 321 & 322 GA

    Greater Anglia (ex Northern Trains) Class 321

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