Class 315 Profile and Models
315829 at Stratford in October 2017. ©Superalbs
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The British Rail Class 315 was a fleet of alternating current (AC) electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, built by British Rail Engineering Limited at Holgate Road Carriage Works in York between 1980 and 1981; they replaced the Class 306 units. It was the fifth and final variant of unit derived from British Rail's 1971 prototype suburban EMU design which, as the BREL 1972 family, eventually encompassed 755 vehicles across Classes 313, 314, 315, 507 and 508. Revenue services with Class 315 units commenced in 1980 and continued until December 2022. Following the privatisation of British Rail, the Class 315s were divided between First Great Eastern (43 units) and West Anglia Great Northern (18 units). The leasing company Eversholt Rail Group has owned the entire Class 315 fleet since privatisation. The last day of service for the Class 315 units was 9 December 2022. |
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Type of Unit |
Electric Multiple Unit - 25kV 50Hz AC Overhead |
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Builder |
British Rail Engineering Limited Holgate Road Works, York |
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Build Dates |
1980 to 1981 |
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Total Built |
61 sets |
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Coaches Per Unit |
4-car |
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Power Output |
880hp |
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Top Speed |
75 mph |
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Passenger Capacity |
316 to 318 seats |
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Operated By |
British Rail West Anglia Great Northern National Express East Anglia Abellio Greater Anglia London Overground TFL Rail/ Elizabeth Line |
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Main Duties |
Suburban Passenger |
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In Service Until |
2022 |
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Surviving Examples |
1 set preserved 18 stored as of Apr 2023 |
