Class 321 Profile and Models
321903 at Leeds in April 2008. ©Hugh Llewelyn
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The British Rail Class 321 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works in three batches between 1988 and 1991. The class uses alternating current (AC) overhead electrification. The design was successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322. Today the class is operated by Greater Anglia on an ad-hoc basis when required. Some have been converted to Class 320 and are operated by ScotRail. Three sub-classes were built. The first two were built for the Network SouthEast sector for operation on services from London Liverpool Street and London Euston, while the third was built for Regional Railways for use on West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive services from Leeds. The trains have been nicknamed "Dusty Bins" by some enthusiasts, after the TV game show "3-2-1". Most of the fleet has now been scrapped but some have been retained for extra capacity on some services when required. Others have also been earmarked for conversion into battery units and parcels trains. |
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Type of Unit |
Electric Multiple Unit - 25kV 50Hz AC Overhead |
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Builder |
BREL York Works |
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Build Dates |
1988 to 1991 |
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Total Built |
117 sets |
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Coaches Per Unit |
4-car |
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Power Output |
1,438 hp |
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Top Speed |
100 mph |
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Passenger Capacity |
299 to 313 seats |
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Operated By |
British Rail Central Trains First Capital Connect First Great Eastern Greater Anglia London Midland London Overground National Express East Anglia Northern Rail Northern Trains ONE Renatus Silverlink Swift Express |
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Main Duties |
Suburban Passenger |
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In Service Until |
Present |
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Surviving Examples |
15 sets 12 converted to Class 320 |
