British Rail Class 321

The British Rail Class 321 alternating current (AC) electric multiple units (EMU) were built by BREL York in three batches from 1988-91. The design was successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322 units for use by Strathclyde PTE and Stansted Express (now used by First ScotRail) respectively. The British Rail Mark 3 bodyshell design was also used for construction of the Class 456 direct current (DC) units.

Description
Three sub-classes of unit were built. The first two were built for the Network SouthEast sector, whilst the final batch was built for services around Leeds.

Class 321/3
The first batch of 66 EMU trains, built between 1988-90 were classified under TOPS as Class 321/3. Units were numbered in the range 321301-366 and have a maximum speed of 100 mph. Each EMU consisted of four carriages; two outer driving trailers, one of which contained first class seating; an intermediate motor coach with standard class seating only, roof mounted Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph and four Brush TM2141C traction motors (two per bogie); and an intermediate trailer with standard class seating. The technical description of the formation is DTCO+MSO+TSO+DTSO. These units were delivered in two groups, with individual vehicles numbered as follows:

These EMU trains were built for outer-suburban trains on the Great Eastern Main Line, primarily from London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria, Ipswich, Southminster, Clacton, Colchester and Braintree. They replaced the ageing slam-door Class 305, Class 308 and Class 309 units on trains to Clacton and Southend-on-Sea, and worked services on the newly electrified routes to Ipswich and Harwich. They also displaced many Class 312 slam-door units to the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway. Some of the Class 309 "Clacton Express" units were retained until 1994, and 24 of the newer Class 312 units were retained long-term to work services to Walton-on-the-Naze and peak services to Clacton, Ipswich and Witham. Units carried the distinctive Network SouthEast livery from new. 321361 was named 'Phoenix' in March 2008 at Ilford depot after it was rebuilt at the disused Colchester shed to repair damage caused by an arson attack at Southend Victoria on 10 July 2007.

Class 321/4
The second batch of 48 units, built between 1989–90, were classified as Class 321/4. Units were numbered in the range 321401-448 and again have a maximum speed of 100 mph. The formation of these units is identical to that of the first batch, each unit being formed DTCO+MSO+TSO+DTSO. They were delivered in two groups, with individual vehicles numbered as follows:

These units were built for outer-suburban services on the West Coast Main Line, from London Euston to Watford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Rugby, Coventry and Birmingham New Street. Units 321438 to 321 448 were built for Great Eastern Main Line services. Units were delivered in Network SouthEast blue, red and white livery. They displaced the recently cascaded Class 317 units dating from 1981 that had only just been introduced to the route to replace Class 310 units. All Class 321/4 units (321421 - 321437) transferring from London Midland to National Express East Anglia will receive an interior refresh at Transys Limited, Colchester, where Cross Country had the interiors of their Class 170 Turbostar trains refurbished.

Class 321/9


The final batch of three Class 321's were classified as Class 321/9 and were constructed in 1991, as an add-on to the main batches. These units have a similar formation to the earlier units, except that there is no first class seating. Therefore, the formation is DTSO+MSO+TSO+DTSO. Units are numbered in the range 321901-903, and individual vehicles are numbered as follows:
 * 77990-77992 - DTSO
 * 63153-63155 - MSO
 * 72128-72130 - TSO
 * 77993-77995 - DTSO

They were ordered by West Yorkshire PTE for the newly electrified Doncaster-Leeds route, and therefore carried the West Yorkshire Metro maroon livery from new.

Due to a quirk to the units entering traffic, five redundant Class 307 units were introduced on the route as a stop-gap measure in 1991. These elderly units continued in service until 1993, when the Class 321 units finally entered traffic. In 1994, they were joined by several Class 308 units, which were introduced on services around Leeds following electrication of the Airedale Line and Wharfedale Line routes from Leeds to Ilkley, Skipton and Bradford.

The Class 321/9 units were refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock from late 2006 to early 2007. The refurbishment included a new livery, refurbished interiors and reliability improvements, similar to the Class 322 EMUs, that were also refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock.

Northern Rail
Arriva Trains Northern (previously Northern Spirit) inherited the three Class 321/9 units 321901, 321902 and 321903. These units operate on the Leeds - Doncaster Wakefield Line service and occasionally on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines alongside Class 333 units.

First Great Eastern/National Express East Anglia
First Great Eastern inherited all 66 Class 321/3 units and 11 Class 321/4 units, which have now been fitted with dot matrix and audio passenger information systems by 'one'. The Great Eastern Main Line franchise has now been taken over by National Express East Anglia, previously branded 'one'.

These trains are primarily used for London Liverpool Street to Braintree, Southend Victoria, Southminster, Ipswich, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester Town and on the London to Shenfield Metro service, but can be seen running on any electrified route if other trains fail. These are usually formed from 4, 8 or 12 carriages on any routes.

Silverlink/London Midland
Silverlink inherited the 37 of the 48 Class 321/4 units. The remaining 11 units had been transferred to the Great Eastern Main Line region some years previously.

In September 2003, Silverlink's class 321 units were temporarily withdrawn following the discovery of loose bolts on brake discs in some units.

In September 2004, London Euston - Birmingham local services were divided into two separate services: Silverlink retained Northampton - London, with Central Trains taking over all local services between Birmingham and Northampton. Initially, Central Trains hired in several Class 321 units from Silverlink to work their new services, but the arrival of the new Class 350 "Desiro" units means that very few Class 321 units are now required.

To accommodate this sub-lease, 3 Class 321/3 units were transferred from 'one' (since rebranded National Express East Anglia) to Silverlink. These were not permitted north of Rugby due to lack of the National Radio Network system (Eastern Region units only had the Cab Secure Radio System used for Driver Only Operated Passenger services) and therefore could not be used on Central Trains services (although they occasionally appeared on services to Rugby at weekends due to the line being closed between Rugby and Birmingham New Street). This ceased in late 2005 with the introduction of Class 350 trains on the Birmingham - Liverpool route. One of these sub-leased units was involved in a low-speed derailment at Watford Yard.

In May 2007, Central Trains began using Class 321 units on some morning services from Birmingham New Street to Walsall.

In November 2007, London Midland took over operation of the Class 321 fleet previously used by Silverlink and Central Trains. An order was placed by London Midland with Siemens AG for 37 Class 350 'Desiro' EMU's; these were intended replace the Class 321 units.

In mid 2009, London Midland stood down most of the units and reduced their fleet to just 321411 - 321417. These units are to be repainted by London Midland and given a very basic and minor interior refresh (replaced carpet and new First Class markings). At the present time, 321411/412/414/416/417 have been treated. They feature on both Peak Hour workings between Northampton - London Euston and all day on the 'Abbey Flyer' Watford Junction - St. Albans Abbey branch line.

First Capital Connect
First Capital Connect has received thirteen units (321401-10/18-20) from London Midland following deliveries of the new Siemens Desiro Class 350/2. All 13 units have now received a new look, FCC indigo blue and 'city lights' branding, plus a full internal refresh. The units are working on the Great Northern services (London - Peterborough and London to Cambridge). At first, only 321401-6/10 saw regular use, the remainder required bogie overhauls before they can enter traffic. Since the start of the December 2010 timetable, all 13 units are now in use.

Future
It was announced on 30 January 2008 that as part of the Department for Transport's Rolling Stock Plan, the London Midland operated EMUs would be split between two other train operating companies (TOCs) after the arrival of the 37 additional Class 350/2 'Desiro' EMUs currently on order.

They will be transferred as follows:


 * 17 4-car units to National Express East Anglia sets 321421-321437
 * 13 4-car units to First Capital Connect sets 321401-321410/321418-321420

First Capital Connect received their first Class 321, No. 321404, on 5 March 2009. Shortly afterwards, 321401-321403 and 321405 arrived. In September 2009, 321406 arrived and was refreshed at Hornsey TMD. The latest Class 321 to arrive at Hornsey was 321410 and will enter service after it has received a refresh. They will also receive 321407 - 321410 from the December 2010 timetable change. 321411 - 321417 will remain with London Midland on peak time journeys such as 321411 and 321412 which are both currently carrying LM livery. 321411 is also the first 321 to carry LM livery.

There are three Class 321 that are currently unallocated. They are 321418-321420 inclusive with both First Capital Connect and Northern Rail are seeking the Department for Transport to acquire them for their services. As of October 2010 all have been transferred to First Capital Connect.