The Story of the Class 321
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
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Hello everyone! :D
Unveiled during the late 1980s, the Class 321 would go on to become one of the most widespread electric multiple units ever built by BR, seeing its domain on high density commuter services range from London and the South East to Yorkshire and Scotland.
However, the days of the Class 321 have now come to an end with the last members withdrawn during 2023, but even with their retirement in the face of new models, the 321's mark on the commuter networks of the cities it had served remains today in successive forms of traction, and a revitalised passenger market.
Chapters:
0:00 - Preamble
1:15 - Replacing the Old Guard
5:03 - 321s in the East
8:41 - 321s in the West
11:07 - 321s in the North
12:27 - Class 320s
13:25 - Class 322s
14:25 - Into Privatisation
17:24 - Rearranged
20:10 - The Withdrawal Begins
21:30 - Possible Futures
22:42 - Conclusion
All video content and images in this production have been provided with permission wherever possible. While I endeavour to ensure that all accreditations properly name the original creator, some of my sources do not list them as they are usually provided by other, unrelated TH-camrs. Therefore, if I have mistakenly put the accreditation of 'Unknown', and you are aware of the original creator, please send me a personal message at my Gmail (this is more effective than comments as I am often unable to read all of them): rorymacveigh@gmail.com
The views and opinions expressed in this video are my personal appraisal and are not the views and opinions of any of these individuals or bodies who have kindly supplied me with footage and images.
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References:
- Key Model World (and their respective sources)
- Clacton Express Preservation Group (and their respective sources)
- Wikipedia (and its respective references) - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
The 'Amsterdam" unit was oddly prophetic in it's way when you consider that very same unit ended up being operated by none other than NS themselves through Abellio Greater Anglia 😅
Good point! And while I'm no proponent of state ownership, I note that NS haven't changed their livery much in several generations now. Yet it still looks crisp and relevant... I wonder how many (or rather, few) passenger tickets have been sold in the UK, due to all the millions that must have been expended on paint and vinyls over the years.
Network Southeast was such a powerful idea. A single brand for the public, a focused management mindset and a clear vision meant that it delivered without to much expense.
And a great Director.
Then the Tories privatised the lot.
The 321s and 322s may be gone, but I'm grateful as a Glasweigan that the 318 and 320 still live on
My last time travelling on one was from Glasgow central low level to Cumbernauld via Hamilton and Motherwell pre-Covid times… really don’t remember why as that’s a long way round to get home; Queen street being a more direct and faster route but I found it most enjoyable and interesting. 🏴
I too am a Glaswegian…
The 321s are still around, they're at varamis as we speak, they have 7, although I've only seen 321334.
Fond memories of the 303s and 311s too. Grew up in Liverpool, where the 507s/8s will always be the "new trains" to me! Stateside nowadays, but I'm thinking a visit to Glesga may be in order, to pay homage to the few remaining stalwarts. Also loved the climb out of Queen Street in a 107 with a return ticket to Bishopbriggs, drinking in the fumes while excited for what we might see at Eastfield.... 37/4s on the West Highland, 47/7s on the push/pulls. Golden years for sure!
Hear hear! Argyle line represent 🥳
There are still some 321s, there is one currently sat in crewe sidings in all white
oh dear oh dear oh dear you took a full swing and a miss at "Milngavie" there!
Given his own name, it's a bit of a clanger.
I thought the same. To be fair it’s a strange spelling. It’s pronounced milguy
I've heard plenty of people go with Miln-gavvy, which does at least sound vaguely Scottish, but this is a first for Miln-gayvy 😳
He's not a Guy from Mull then...@@EmyrDerfel
Heck I didn’t even recognise that’s what was being said 😅 I was like “…where?? Did I miss those?”
Another thing you forgot to mention is the Class 321's short-lived work With London Overground, a few class 321/4 were drafted in on services like the Emerson Park Shuttle service Between Romford And Upminster.
Why did he forget? He might have just not mentioned it.
i think so
321s were arguably one of the most important rolling stock classes to be produced.
It’s always a good morning when I see a new upload from you! Keep up the great work! One railway enthusiast to another! 👍🏻😇
A part of the 321 history that seems all but forgotten was that initially 30 were ordered for the West Anglia electrification and they initially ran alongside 310s to Cambridge before both were ousted by 317s by 1992. At first they only operated out of Ilford Depot so appearances beyond Colchester to Clacton and Ipswich were rare before 1992. The release of spare 321/4s from the WCML in 1993 saw off the last of the 309s some of which, ironically, ended up on the WCML.
I commuted on 321s for all of their lives and aside from one door interlock failure and frozen door runners during the winters of 1991 and 2010 they've been very reliable for me. But those seats were so uncomfortable on long journeys. They will be missed but the Aventras and Stadlers are far superior trains from a safety and comfort point of view.
National Express neglected them big time and saw their reliability plummet during their franchise. Many were out as their motors needed replacing and the cabin conditions poor.
I still remember the double glazing pulled with water!
A travesty that FGE lost the franchise. They were brilliant!
I drove these, the best thing with the “Dusty bins” was their reliability. Didn’t have a particularly comfortable cab. and prior to the air cooling/conditioning in the cabs, they would be unbearable in the summer. Leaving them stabled all day in Thornton fields or Stratford Old Yard would mean train prep in the summer was a chore, and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the passengers, so you’d leave the doors open as long as possible on the doors test and keep your fingers crossed you got interlock a few mins before booked departure. Last drove one in late 2020 before going overseas to work.
Back in the early 90s, some wag with a black marker pen had named them all, “Eastern Challenger, Eastern Conqueror, Eastern Chieftan” etc. and the emergency brake position having a further stamp added marked ‘oh shit!”.
A notable difference between the 321 and 322 originally was an automatic Pa originally fitted with push buttons, (How we humble 321 drivers wished we had these fitted when DOO(p) occurred in late 1991).
Great video nice to see the 321s receiving some spotlight, only addition I would add is Varamis have taken on about 8 units now and operate regular services between Birmingham - Glasgow now with future plans to extend their network to new destinations.
I live In the Midlands and never heard of Varamis
It seems though that those are for freight ("logistics") not for passengers. Have the units been stripped of their seats?
@@iankemp1131 Yes I looked up who they were
@@lorddarlo6194 So did I, I'd never heard of them either!
Being from Surrey, I never had much cause to go on these, but I vividly remember a trip with my friend to visit the newly opened Stansted airport terminal and we went on the class 322 Stansted Express in white and green. At the time it felt so futuristic and modern and Stansted was so modern, clean and quiet (unlike the battery hen farm it is now). In 2022 I went on a day trip on the GEML and had a nice (but hot) journey a Renatus unit. I'm glad I did that now that they're gone.
Sorry to hear STN's changed, I only ever used it in the 322 days when the terminal was an *oasis* of calm - from check-in onwards, you were advised that no passenger announcements would be made - and the architecture was new, fresh and fantastic. From what you say, I'm guessing it's since transitioned from quality into volume?
@@TomCro73Well it is the hub for Ryanair
As far as comfort went, the 321s were dire. As a Norwich London commuter, my heart would sink if a 321 was in for an intercity set. Even a trip back to Colchester was not a good prospect especially on a hot summer’s evening with all the windows open, it was a bit loud. But as you say, a good sturdy design if lacking in comfort.
Yes, for Norwich - London Sunday services class 321s were used around 2017, the Anglia intercity class 43 MK3 coaches, were absent probably wash & polish ready for Monday, a different experience riding an unrefurbished class 321commuter stock limited stop fast to London.
Still miles better than the new ironing board seats, and being a train enthusiast lowkey I loved the loud noise they made when at full pelt.
Have to say I've learnt so much from your videos about the history of all things about British rail and the big four prior to the merger or re-organisation into British Rail. Then with all the videos about various types of steam, Diesel and electric rolling stock.
Very appreciative fan from Australia
I worked on these out of Leeds for a short time. If I got one on a full "triangle" diagram, instead of a 333, I was a happy guard 😁😊 one of the best things was being able to do doors from the cab and having a bell rather than a buzzer/beeper.
I'm kinda glad I missed out on the 331 and 195 units.... I hear very few positive things about them from former colleagues.
Your videos are great to watch, but also a fantastic resource for research. Brilliant work!
The 320s/321s/322s are some of my favourite trains, so glad you covered them in one of your excellent videos! Always something new to learn, even with your favourite trains!
I grew up with these units; cannot believe they are now mostly gone! Who remembers the NSE interior murals, signed Eddie Pond in 2nd class, Edward in 1st?! And incredibly, not a mention of the nickname "Dusty Bin!"
Pre Dusty Bin, Euston to MK and Northampton commuter services - the cobblers - were operated by Mk1s hauled by electric locomotive, usually a Class 81 or 85. They were lightening quick and relatively luxurious - you could complete several hands of cribbage with colleagues heading home Their replacement by the aforementioned Dusty Bins did not go down well, therefore, particularly as BR hiked the price of season tickets on the quite ludicrous basis that the 321s were new ergo superior to a TSO!
321s were - and are - OK on inner surburban services. However, they're manifestly unfit for the longer distance routes they were initially, and often thereafter, deployed on. Fortunately the excellent 350s came along to condem them. No great loss!
I remember growing up and seeing that Travelcard advert and appreciating how awesome it was. Viewing life through a 21" CRT monitor, one fuzzy day at a time!
Any day when a Ruairidh MacVeigh video drops is a good day! One of my favourite creators on TH-cam. Thanks for another great video!
Couldn't agree more!
A few addendums/additional facts with regard to the 320s:
They were ordered to replace the last of the unrefurbished Class 303s and the remaining Class 311s on the North Clyde Line; half of the former fleet (51 out of the 91-strong fleet) had been comprehensively refurbished in the mid-80s with the rest (along with the 311s) being gradually withdrawn up until late 1990 when the 320s replaced the remainder en-masse. The refurbished 303s would last until December 2002, well into the National Express era, being gradually replaced by the much delayed 334s.
From 1990 until at least 2011, they were confined to the North Clyde Line in passenger service. The Cathcart Circle remained firmly in the grip of the 303s until 1998-1999 and driver sighting issues (or at least that's what I remember being cited as the reason) with the mirrors in the subsurface underground stations of the Argyle Line (Anderston, Glasgow Central Low Level & Argyle Street) preventing their use on that line's services.
Whatever the issue was, it was rectified at around the same time the class was fitted with yaw dampers and the 320s (both /3s & /4s) and the 318s are effectively a common fleet these days, with both types regularly seen working together on both cross-Glasgow routes. They have only started making somewhat regular appearences on the Cathcart Circle in the last 6 or so years, as the 314 fleet was being run down starting in September 2018.
Hi,
Another Very Good video. TY🙏
Just one minor omission; the 321’s also replaced the Class 302 as well..!😉
Tbf, as usual, you pack sooo much information into your videos I find them compelling..!👌
Well Done..!👍
Another excellent episode. Good bit of nostalgia for me with this one too as I have fond memories riding the class out of Southend Victoria with my grandparents in the early 90's on London outings into Liverpoool street.
A|ways remember the noise of the traction motors when pulling away.
I grew to love the 321 sets, having lived in Chelmsford for many years. My first full-time time job involved commuting to Colchester and back. I have to be honest, that I preferred the ride of a 312 when available. The 321 units were BREL's swansong, being UK designed and built. I liked the interior style and the artwork at the end walls of each carriage, depicting local scenes.
The downside was that thyristor speed control could in some units cause a painfully loud mains hum from the transformer under the power car during acceleration. I used to avoid sitting in the power car for that reason...
I do miss them a lot and I have been on them many times including when I was a young kid. Not to mention the refurbished Class 321 Renatus that Greater Anglia & Eversholt Rail converted 30 Class 321 units with air-conditioning and disabled toilets.
I have been on the Class 321 and they were so reliable and fast especially when travelling from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich, Colchester, Clacton-on-Sea and Essex. Plus they also went all the way to Norwich at peak times. I wish that Greater Anglia would of kept some of the refurbished “Renatus” Class 321s.
I saw a tooooonee of 321s stored at gascoigne wood in 2022/3 when i was commuting to hull, so its so nice to learn about their legacy!
Great Documentary, very interesting to see the story of a train that (used to be) local to me, they are missed on the Southend Branch
Shame that the 321s and the 322s have disappeared all together but the 320s are still going
Excellent video of the Class 321's. Miss seeing them in East Anglia. Good that Varamis Rail is using some of them to transport parcels.
Class 321 video with a length of 23:45
Satisfying
Great upload and such a great train, I do miss the look and sound of the 321s on the Southend Victoria line but im grateful i got to ride them and the old slam doors, I guess progress waits for no man or machine, but memories last forever 👌
just found this video and am loving it!! thank you for sharing 😄
Great video. I'd also like to point out that Varamis Rail are now (as of 23/03/2024) operating 7 '321 sets on their runs from England to Scotland, so while it is a shame they aren't in passenger use anymore, at least some will remain in operation for a while longer. It's nice to see peoples videos of the Varamis 321s in action.
Great video as always! I remember seeing these in the early-mid 90s when I was traveling through New Street regularly on the Birmingham Cross City line. At the time they were in the "Silver Link" livery, as mentioned in the video, and I just remember them seeming so futuristic looking!
I remember the 321s being introduced on services from Euston. They weren't universally welcomed, partly because they didn't have the gangways that the 317s had, but mostly because the first batch had faulty doors. I recall times in the first weeks when we'd board a train at Euston and then watch as the crew tried repeatedly to get the doors closed and locked. Not welcome on a crowded rush hour service.
I had no idea some of our 320s used to be 321s, nor that they’d been totally phased-out in England! Ach weil. The HST is still going strong up here too 😊 useful wee trains are still useful!!
Grew up on these, thanks for the video!
Excellent documentary again, many thanks ❤
Always a good day when Ruairidh uploads another informative railway video
Many thanks 😂
My childhood trains. I remember the end of their life on the WCML operated by Silverlink before they were replaced (mostly) by the 350s
coincidentally, I used a class 323 to get in and out of Birmingham city centre to meet a friend halfway through watching this video lol; it's so nice being able to hop into the centre of a city on an electric powered transport link instead of having to rely on internal combustion, particularly as vehicle fumes are a pretty big trigger for my asthma. It's a real shame more cities don't have similarly electrified commuter lines, honestly
Worked these units 90/92 and know the driver who is shown driving them. Nice to see Laindon station making a cameo appearance.
Thank you Rory dear.
Fascinating as always, thank you again.
Excellent as usual.
"Milngavie" = Mull Guy.
Back in 1966 when the the Liverpool/Manchester electrification to London Euston became live, I could never understand why the old style slam door EMUs on the service were so far from futuristic and resembled old non corridor steam hauled stock.
Especially at a time when the 303s had shown what could be done
Aah the dreadful bucking bronco 304s built for the early (northern) end of that scheme. It certainly was surprising that BR didn't design the much better 310s for the Euston suburbans to have power doors, as they were groundbreaking in many ways (MkII coach body shell and bogies, disc braking, unblown motors etc). Yet BR went on to build the very similar 312s ten years later...also with slam doors!
I remember traveling on the 321 when they were in silver link services on the west coast mainline
Eventually, i have a total of 10 suggestions you should recap soon.
10. BR Class 37, The Tractor of Rail Wheels
9. Fairbanks Morse. The diesel locomotive builder that didn’t.
8. EMD DD40AX. The world’s most powerful diesel locomotive.
7. NSW 38 Class. The New Haven I-5’s down under.
6. Shinkansen 500 series. The bullet train retired too soon.
5. EMD F40PH. The diesel that saved the American passenger rail industry.
4. PRR K4. The flagship steam engines of Pennsylvania.
3. N&W Y class. The last stand of steam in America.
2. EMD SD40-2. The diesel that helped the railroad freight industry.
1. GE Genesis. The engine that’s the dawn of a new era
All the old stuff being sent up North. Thus it ever was.
Levelling up UK style
Yet when the provinces receive brand new trains, all we hear is grumbling about how much better the old ones were. There's no pleasing some folk!
@@bfapple not sure what Im talking about? I’m talking about old trains frkm the south being sent up North. It’s not the levelling up the Govt promises.
Sorry, I’ll try and write more obviously for you next time
@@bfappleyou’re getting quite annoyed here. I suggest we stop messaging each other. It’s really not that important.
Thank you for your time
I travelled on 321 for many years whiles they were in operation for northern rail between Leeds and Doncaster. When i speak to guards and drivers they say 321 were much better then the current 331s. Easier to repair if someone went wrong and just felt more high quality. Many drivers tell me there memories on 321 when you applied power and you get a loud clunk noise so you knew someone was happening. They were more comfy to travel on in my opinion as a passenger aswell. The only downside was Northern left them in the 3,2 seating configuration so space was tight especially on commuter services.
Awesome video very informative always look forward to when new videos release as they very informative and exciting excellent job 😊❤❤❤❤🎉🎉❤❤
Good timing for a “Class 321” feature with all the units that Varamis Rail is purchasing.
A surprise to see my friend Dave Newell, MBE on TH-cam [admittedly from a time before I started on the railway though!] from his time pre-Chiltern Railways!
It is one of the stupidities of the privatisation of BR that has led to these units being retired at a relatively young age, while much older trains elsewhere have soldiered on
Which older trains are you talking about?
@@bfapple
There are plenty of trains of similar age in service on the Continent.
@@bfapple The class 150, 153, 155 and 156 Sprinter family are all older, and replacement trains haven't been ordered or in some cases even considered yet. And at the time when the replacements for the 321s were being ordered, there were no plans to replace the older 313s or 455s on Southern - the only reason that they have gone is cost-cutting when commuter numbers dropped after lockdown, otherwise they would still be rattling around for a few more years yet.
@@stevieinselby 321s couldn’t have been direct replacements in any of those cases with the state of the electrification as it is. The mass order of Class 720s was argued on the basis of low interest rates pre-COVID. 30 is an advanced age for any fleet - it’s necessity that has kept the 150s going.
An honourable mention should go to the Class 321's DC cousin. The Class 456. They used the same bodyshell as the end cars on a 321. They now are all gone as I think they met their fate at SIMS.
There was quite a difference though ... whereas the 321 was designed for regional express services, the 456 was designed for inner-suburban services, and would have been completely out of their depth on analogous Southern runs like Brighton or Bournemouth.
The 321 was basically a updated version of the 317 and 319 . The 319 being a duel voltage unit . 750 dc and 25kv. The 321 was a 25kv only unit. I remember the 321 /9 s on Doncaster to Leeds services. They were all in West Yorkshire PTE livery.
I see these all the time when going into London Euston in sidings near Wembley. Just sitting dormant 😢
As a GA regular, bloody love these trains. My goodness do the Aventras pale in comparison
You made a mistake; the parcels converted units are very much in regular service currently.
Did you know that one of these in 1998/9 ended up at Manchester Airport. I had worked down to Euston with the usual 322 and it was failed on arrival, they had not got another so i finished up with the 321. As far as i know it went back to London on the 1819 service.
love your videos are you ever planning on doing one on the motorail services that were offered in the uk would be nice to know more as this service could be a good idea today with the rise in electric cars
Use to get them all the time to visit my family in Chelmsford. Back when it was First Great Eastern
Very versatile units
Ngl the withdrawal of the Renatus units seems pretty wasteful. Tho great detailed documentary as always! A bit surprised you didn’t talk about the 456s since they share the same body profile. Wonder if you’ll cover the PEPs & the earlier Mk3 units, especially the 317/1s & 455/7s. Their ugliness caused quite a bit of dissatisfaction early on😂
Amazing when you consider that I preceded this with your video on the appalling Coradia units. When you consider that BR engineering could produce a series of passenger vehicles of such a quality (and reliability) it makes a mockery of logic that TOCs could later go and willingly purchase those train-sets
Yes,a video I've been hoping was made I have very fond memories with the 321s
These units were my childhood - weekend day trips to London with my dad on a £1.00 child day travelcard... Gutted they're gone, not gonna lie
One of the better-looking EMUs of that era
P.S. I would love to see videos on the 421/2/3 slam door units, and also the soon to be withdrawn class 455's.
Just a general question. Is there a total number of types of trains that have been in service in the UK? I’ve enjoyed listening to these for a long time and wondering if they will ever stop. lol.
Having lived in Ipswich, I miss these and the 360s
Same. I have been on the Class 360 to Ipswich, Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea.
Great modern trains, but I liked the old wooden slam door stock which I used to commute to work at times. They were quaint and cosy inside. I think that they should of kept the bench seat design instead of those cheapo bucket seats. Train interiors now are so boring and sometimes cramped with no atmosphere of the pleasure of travel. A disappeared age of excellent BR engineering that we do not possess any longer.
Would like to hear more about NSE especially the LTS line and class 310/12 ect
The first 321/9's entered service in July 1991 not 1993 though they did have fairs hence the 307's that previously worked the Leeds Doncaster service stayed until 1993. I believe the 321/9's were the last mark 3 derived trains to be built with sliding doors as most others built at that time had folded doors.
The scary thought is I remember them entering service in Scotland when they were brand new!
Can u make a video about the class 313 pep please??
i love that sound!!!
The remaining Greater Anglia Class 321s are now vibing in a siding at Wembley Central
The underlying theme is the demise of manufacturing in York, and the banking sectors funding of trains from Germany, Spain and Switzerland. Happy days!
They also filled in for Northern on the Donny Leeds services.
I love your channel!
Rip class 321 and 322 but forever be in my couplers and class 320 thanks for keeping Glasgow Central low level in cervice
Ruairidh, I feel bound to point out that Milngavie is pronounced "Mulguy".
Ah the Stansted Express, stopping at Harlow Town. Good times
Had the government completed the Midland Mainline electrification when it should have, then these would have been a good call operating for EMR out of St Pancras semi fast to Leicester, Derby and Nottingham. They would have certainly eased the overcrowding on the Intercity services.
Also the first 320's arrived in November 1989.
Seen about a dozen of them stabled near Warrington
British EMUs had such a strange design back in the days.
Often nicknamed them “Slantheads” due to their heads slanted compared to the Class 317/318/455’s box fronts. (Often nicknamed them “Boxies”)
1.01 My old station Kilpatrick in Old Kilpatrick
Think these could be good if they were converted to Bi-Mode to run Lowestoft-Liverpool St services
Where did the “Dusty Bin” nickname come from?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-2-1
It’s funny. We actually forget just how much of the UK network is actually under the wires. It’s more than you think.
Can you make a video on the LMS Patriots, Jubilees, & Royle Scotts.
230 are being tested on the Greenford branch as quick charge battery trains after vivarail was brought by gwr
Did i miss the mention of the Dusty Bin nickname?!
People would “fall out” (as it were….) of slam door stock on occasion.
The good old "Dusty Bins"
Newer trains, despite being quiet, quick and quite comfy are nevertheless a little bit bland. I'm sure it's an age thing but I do miss the old slam door, growling, diesel smoke-belching DMUs and the rattly EMUS.
The worst thing I found with these generation of units was the effect of pressure waves on the sliding doors, causing them to clatter as so they were going to be ripped out of the train bodies; not a nice experience, also being very tiresome on long journeys.