Class 350 'Desiro' Profile and Models

Class 350 'Desiro'

350123 at Cathiron in April 2017. ©Steve Knight

The British Rail Class 350 is a class of electric multiple-unit built by Siemens Transportation Systems to its Desiro design between 2004 and 2014. The Class 350/1 units were originally part of an order for 32 five-car Class 450 units for South West Trains. However, they were never built as such. n late 2007, a second batch of 37 was ordered by London Midland to replace its Class 321s. Between 2013 and 2014, a further 20 were manufactured for London Midland and First TransPennine Express. Each took on ten units, the former designated the Class 350/3 and the latter the Class 350/4. Class 350 trains are nearly identical to those of Class 450. The latter class is only fitted with traction equipment for Southern Region 750 V DC third rail, whilst the Class 350/1 units can operate from either 25 kV 50 Hz AC OLE, as is done in regular service, or alternatively third rail (350/1s only). All Class 350 units built since are not equipped for third-rail use but, like most modern British EMUs, can be retrofitted if necessary. All of London Midland's 77 Class 350s were inherited by West Midlands Trains on 9 December 2017. WMT operate all of the units under its London Northwestern Railway brand.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

Electric Multiple Unit

Builder

Siemens Transportation Systems, Germany

Build Dates

2004 to 2014

Total Built

87 Sets

Power Output

2,680 hp

Top Speed

110 mph

Passenger Capacity

Up to 270 seats
Up to 149 standing

Operated By

Central Trains
Silverlink
London Midland
London & North Western Railway
TransPennine Express

Main Duties

Local & Regional Passenger

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

All in Service