Class 309 Profile and Models
309625 at London Liverpool Street in March 1981. ©Phil Richards
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The British Rail Class 309 "Clacton Express" electric multiple units (EMUs) were built by British Rail (BR) York Carriage Works from 1962–1963. They were initially classified as Class AM9 before the introduction of TOPS. These units were the first express 25 kV alternating current (AC) units to be built by British Rail and were their first EMUs capable of 100 mph. When built, units were originally planned to be used on the Original Proposed East Coast Main Line Electrification Scheme, however, when this was abandoned the units were deployed on Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) express services from London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze (also marketed as the Sunshine Coast Line) which is what gained them the class nickname Clacton Express. In the 1970s many of the units were reformed. The two-car units were augmented to four-car units. After becoming redundant on the GEML seven units were quickly put to use on suburban passenger services from Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent in 1994. |
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Type of Unit |
Electric Multiple Unit |
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Builder |
BR York Works |
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Build Dates |
1962 to 1963 |
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Total Built |
24 sets |
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Coaches Per Unit |
2, 3 or 4-car |
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Capacity |
108 to 220 seats |
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Power Output |
1,120hp |
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Top Speed |
100 mph |
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Operated By |
British Rail First North Western |
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Main Duties |
Regional Passenger |
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In Service Until |
2000 |
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Surviving Examples |
Some individual cars in preservation |
