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{{Short description|1959 British electric passenger trains}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox train
| background = #012545
| name = <span style="color:white;">British Rail Class 308</span>
| image = BR 308143 EMU.jpg
| imagealt =
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = Class 308 in [[West Yorkshire Metro|West Yorkshire PTE]] livery at {{stn|Keighley}} in 1996
| interiorimage =
| interiorimagealt =
| interiorcaption =
| service = 1959–2001
| manufacturer = [[British Rail]]ways
| ordernumber = {{ubl|30652 ({{abbr|BDTCOL|Battery Driving Trailer Composite Open Lavatory}}, 308/1)|30653 ({{abbr|MBSO|Motor Brake Second Open}}, 308/1)|30654 ({{abbr|TCsoL|Trailer Composite (semi-open) Lavatory}}, 308/1)|30655 ({{abbr|DTSO|Driving Trailer Second Open}}, 308/1)|30656 (BDTCOL, 308/1)|30657 (MBSO, 308/1)|30658 (TCsoL, 308/1)|30659 (DTSO, 308/1)|30694 ({{abbr|BDTSO|Battery Driving Trailer Second Open}}, 308/3)|30695 (MBSO)|30696 (DTSO, 308/3)|30701 ({{abbr|MLV|Motor Luggage Van}})<ref name=Longworth2015>{{harvnb|Longworth|2015|pp=23–25, 132, 134–135, 148–149, 161, 182–185, 187}}</ref>}}
| factory = [[Holgate Road carriage works, York|Holgate Road, York]]
| family = 1959 EMU
| replaced = Steam locomotives and carriages
| yearconstruction =
| yearservice =
| refurbishment = {{ubl|1981–1983|1994}}
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction =
| numberbuilt = 45
| numberservice =
| numberpreserved = 1 (driving trailer only)
| numberscrapped = 44
| successor = {{ubl|[[British Rail Class 321|Class 321]]|[[British Rail Class 323|Class 323]]|[[British Rail Class 333|Class 333]]}}
| formation = 3 or 4 cars per trainset:{{ubl|BDTS+MBS+TC+DTS (308/1)|BDTCOL+MBSO+TSOL+DTSO (308/1, refurbished)|BDTS+MLV+TC+DTS (308/2)|{{abbr|BDTSOL|Battery Driving Trailer Second Open Lavatory}}+MLV+{{abbr|DTLV|Driving Trailer Luggage Van}} (308/2, refurbished)|BDTS+MBS+DTS (308/3)<ref name=TRC1 /><ref name=Fox87-53>{{harvnb|Fox|1987|p=53}}</ref>}}
| diagram = {{ubl|ED207 (MBSO)|ED216 (MBSO, 308/1)|EE209 (DTSO, 308/3)|EE220 (DTSO, 308/1)|EF205 (BDTSO, 308/3)|EF208 (BDTSOL, 308/1 as built)|EF302 (BDTC)|EF304 (BDTCOL, 308/1 refurbished)|EH223 (TSOL, 308/1 refurbished)|EH305 (TCsoL, 308/1 as built)|EW501 (DTLV, 308/1)|EY501 (MLV)<ref name=Longworth2015 /><ref name=BRB210>{{cite web |url=http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf |title=Vehicle Diagram Book No.210 for Electrical Multiple Units (including A.P.T.) |at=ED216, EE209, EE220, EF205, EF208, EF302, EF304, EH223, EW501, EY501|work=Barrowmore MRG |publisher=BRB Residuary Ltd. |access-date=21 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215604/http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
| code = AM8
| fleetnumbers = {{ubl|133-165 (308/1, sets)|75878-75886, 75896-75919 (BDTS, 308/1)|61883-61915 (MBS, 308/1)|70611-70643 (TS, 308/1)|75887-75895, 75929-75952 (DTS, 308/1)|313-321 (308/2, sets)|75920-75928 (BDTS, 308/2)|68011-68019 (MLV, 308/2)|70644-70652 (TC, 308/2)|75953-75961 (DTS, 308/2)|453-455 (308/3, sets)|75741-75743 (BDTS, 308/3)|61689-61691 (MBS, 308/3)|75992-75994 (DTS, 308/3)<ref name=TRC1>{{cite web |url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_308.html |title=Class 308 |work=The Railway Centre |access-date=21 February 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014170501/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_308.html |archive-date=14 October 2007}}</ref>}}
| capacity = {{ubl|19F/344S (308/1, as built)|19F/248S (308/2)|272S (308/3)|24F/302S (308/1, refurbished)<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| operator = [[British Rail]]
| depots = {{ubl|[[Clacton Servicing Depot|Clacton]]|[[East Ham Depot|East Ham]]|[[Ilford EMU Depot|Ilford]]<ref name=Fox87-53 />}}
| lines =
| carbody = Steel<ref name=BRB210 />
| trainlength = {{ubl|{{convert|268|ft|8+1/2|in|abbr=on}} (4-car)|{{convert|189|ft|9+1/2|in|abbr=on}} (3-car)<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| carlength = {{ubl|{{convert|64|ft|0+5/8|in|abbr=on}} (driving cars, over body)<ref name=BRB210 />|{{convert|63|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} (others)<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| width = {{convert|9|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=TRC1 />
| height = {{convert|3.835|m|ftin|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| floorheight =
| platformheight =
| entrylevelorstep =
| doors = Slam<ref name=TRC1 />
| art-sections = {{ubl|4 (308/1, 308/2 as built)|3 (308/2 refurbished, 308/3)}}
| wheeldiameter =
| wheelbase = {{convert|46|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} (bogie centres)<ref name=BRB210 />
| maxspeed = {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| weight = {{ubl|{{convert|153|LT|abbr=on}} (308/1)|{{convert|150|LT|12|Lcwt|abbr=on}} (308/2)|{{convert|11|LT|abbr=on}} (308/3)<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| axleload =
| traction =
| traction motors = 4 × [[English Electric|EE]] 56A of {{convert|143.5|kW|abbr=on}}<ref name=Fox87-53 />
| poweroutput = {{convert|574|kW|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort =
| transmission =
| acceleration =
| deceleration =
| aux =
| powersupply =
| hvac = Electric<ref name=BRB210 />
| electricsystem = {{ubl|[[25 kV 50 Hz AC]] [[Overhead line|OHLE]]|6.25 kV AC OHLE<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]]
| uicclass = {{ubl|3-car: 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′|4-car: 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′}}
| aarwheels =
| bogies = {{ubl|Gresley ED5|Gresley ED8|Gresley ET5|Gresley ET8<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| brakes = [[Railway airbrake|Air]] ([[Electropneumatic brake|EP]]/Auto)<ref name=TRC1 />
| safety = [[Automatic warning system (railways)|AWS]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| coupling = {{ubl|[[Janney coupler|Buckeye]] (outer)|[[Drawbar (haulage)|Solid shank]] (inner)<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| multipleworking = Within ER EMU stock, later within class<ref name=TRC1 />
| light =
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notes =
}}

The '''British Rail Class 308''' [[alternating current]] (AC) [[electric multiple unit]]s (EMU) were built by [[British Rail]]ways' [[Holgate Road carriage works]] in three batches between 1959 and 1961. They were initially classified as '''AM8''' units before the introduction of [[TOPS]].

==Description==

===Class 308/1===
The first batch of 33 units were built in 1959, classified as AM8 and numbered 133–165. This was later changed to Class 308/1 under the [[TOPS]] system, and units were renumbered 308133–165. These units were built to operate commuter services on the [[Great Eastern Main Line]] (GEML) from {{stnlink|London Liverpool Street}} to {{stnlink|Shenfield}}, {{stnlink|Witham}}, {{stnlink|Colchester}}, {{stnlink|Walton-on-the-Naze}} and {{stnlink|Clacton}}. Each unit was formed of four carriages: two outer driving trailers, an intermediate trailer, and a motor coach.

Electrically the Class 308 stock has the same equipment as the Class 302 stock with a few modifications, some of these are the types of overload, the use of fan-cooled rectifier continued until the rectifiers were modified to 8-diode type from 1982. This modified main rectifier was also modified and used on the Class 309 stock due to the problems of fan-cooled types suffering from blocked filters causing failures in traffic. The braking system is basically the same as the [[British Rail Class 302|Class 302]] stock with the exception of the motor coach retaining the {{convert|16|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} cylinder rather than the {{convert|12|in|mm|1|abbr=on}} as fitted to Class 302 after replacing the cast-iron brake blocks with composite ([[Ferodo]]) type.

From 1981 to 1983, the units were refurbished, which included opening out compartments, fitting of gangways between carriages, and moving first class seating from the intermediate trailer to one of the driving trailers, with the same problems as the Class 302 stock of having first class passengers sitting above the Westinghouse CM38 compressor, however the Gresley bogies being retained. In this modified form, the technical description of the formation was BDTCOL+MBSO+TSOL+DTSO. Individual carriages were numbered as follows:
*75878-75886 and 75896-75919 - BDTCOL
*61883-61915 - MBSO
*70611-70643 - TSOL
*75887-75895 and 75929-75952 - DTSO

===Class 308/2===
A second batch of nine units, numbered 313–321, were built for boat train services on the [[London, Tilbury and Southend line]] in 1959–60, from [[Fenchurch Street railway station|London Fenchurch Street]] to {{stnlink|Tilbury Riverside}}. These units were later reclassified as Class 308/2 under [[TOPS]]. Each unit was formed of four carriages: two outer driving trailers, an intermediate trailer, and a motor luggage van, with the reduction in luggage some MLV's were converted at [[Swindon Works]] with a different seating arrangement to the original passenger vehicles. The technical description of the formation was BDTS+MLV+TC+DTS. Individual carriages were numbered as follows:
*75920-75928 - BDTS
*68011-68019 - MLV (68011 - 68014 from units 313-316 converted to MBSO in 1971 and renumbered 62431–62434. Units reclassified as Class 308/4)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Motive power miscellany |magazine=[[Railway World]] |location=Shepperton |publisher=Ian Allan |date=September 1971 |volume=32 |issue=376 |page=417}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mallaband |first1=P |last2=Bowles |first2=L J |title=the coaching stock of British Railways 1976 |year=1976 |location=Oxford |publisher=RCTS/OPC |page= 115 |isbn=0-901115-39-8}}</ref>
*70644-70652 - TC
*75953-75961 - DTS
When [[Port of Tilbury|Tilbury Docks]] closed as a [[cruise liner]] terminal, these units were made redundant and withdrawn from service in 1983. Three units were subsequently rebuilt as Class 308/4 parcels units for [[Rail Express Systems]] (see below).

===Class 308/3===
Finally, a third batch of 3-car units were built in 1961 for suburban services from [[Liverpool Street railway station|London Liverpool Street]] to {{stnlink|Chingford}} and {{Stnlnk|Enfield Town}}. They were numbered 453–455, following on from the [[British Rail Class 305|Class 305/1]] units, which also operated these services (which were numbered in the range 401–452).

These units were later reclassified as Class 308/3, and renumbered 308453–455 under [[TOPS]]. Unlike the first batch, these units contained no first-class seating. Each unit was formed of three carriages: two outer driving trailers, and an intermediate motor coach. The technical description of the unit formation was BDTS+MBS+DTS. Individual carriages numbers were as follows:
*75741-75743 - BDTS
*61689-61691 - MBS
*75992-75994 - DTS
These units were withdrawn in the late 1980s.

===Converted postal units===
In 1983, three former Class 308/2 units (nos. 314/319/321) were converted into Class 308/4 postal units by the [[Rail Express Systems|Parcels sector]], with the removal of the intermediate trailer, and renumbered 308991–993. These units were replaced by three converted [[British Rail Class 302|Class 302/9]] parcels units in 1992.

==Operations==
By the early 1990s, only the Class 308/1 units were still in service. These were gradually replaced on GEML services by the new [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321s]]. Some of the displaced units were transferred to the [[London, Tilbury and Southend line]] (LTS), whilst others were transferred to the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] to work [[Cross-City Line]] services pending the introduction of new [[British Rail Class 323|Class 323s]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Intelligence |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]] |date=August 1993 |page=528}}</ref> The LTS units were later displaced by [[British Rail Class 312|Class 312s]], but two were retained and converted to [[British Rail Class 937|Class 937]] sandite units. These sandite units were originally fitted with a small cement mixer that was used to mix the sandite and then loaded into the hoppers whilst the vehicle was in motion. Later, premixed sandite was loaded prior to use with the easing of the physical work by the staff.

In 1994–95, electrification spread north from {{stnlink|Leeds}} to [[Bradford Forster Square railway station|Bradford]], {{stnlink|Skipton}} and {{stnlink|Ilkley}}. As no new stock had been ordered, [[Regional Railways]] overhauled Class 308 units for use on these services. The work was carried out at [[Doncaster Works]] and involved reducing the unit length to three carriages, with the removal of the intermediate trailers, which were scrapped. The trains were also painted in [[West Yorkshire Metro]] crimson and cream livery.

In 1996, with the [[privatisation of British Rail]], the Class 308 fleet passed into the ownership of [[Angel Trains]] and were leased to the Regional Railways North East franchise. This was originally operated as Northern Spirit, but the franchise was later taken over by [[Arriva]] and operated as [[Arriva Trains Northern]].

By the late 1990s, it was clear that the elderly Class 308 units needed replacing. Due to their age, they were increasingly unreliable and expensive to maintain. They were replaced by sixteen new 3-car [[British Rail Class 333|Class 333]] units,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electric Multiple Unit Class 333, UK |url=http://www.mobility.siemens.com/apps/references/index.cfm?z=1&do=app.detail&referenceID=645&lID=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190317/http://www.mobility.siemens.com/apps/references/index.cfm?z=1&do=app.detail&referenceID=645&lID=1 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |publisher=Siemens}}</ref> which were introduced from 12 January 2001,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 333s in service at last |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1199 |date=March 2001 |page=11}}</ref> all 16 Class 333 units were later lengthened to 4-car sets.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First 333 trailer arrives as SRA confirms eight more |magazine=Rail |issue=426 |date=9 January 2002 |page=54 }}</ref>
The Class 308 units were withdrawn and sent for storage at [[MoD Shoeburyness]]. The final three units, nos. 308138/157/158, were withdrawn in late 2001, and were sent for scrap at [[Immingham]]. Since then, the stored units have slowly been scrapped at various locations, with the final vehicles disposed of in 2004. However, one driving trailer was saved for preservation.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 14 February 1990, an empty stock train formed of a [[British Rail Class 305|Class 305]] and a Class 308 unit was derailed at {{rws|East Ham}}.<ref name=NSES90>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-90.html |title=January 1990 to December 1990 |publisher=Network South East Railway Society |first=John P |last=McCrickard |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626222308/https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-90.html |archive-date=26 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Preservation==
{{More citations needed section |date=January 2025}}
[[File:Hugh llewelyn 308 136 (6251059138).jpg|thumb|left|308 136 at the [[Electric Railway Museum]]]]
One driving trailer from unit 308136 has been saved for preservation.
*75881 - [[Colne Valley Railway]];<ref name=RHR75881>{{cite web |url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4852 |title=BR 75881 Class 308 25kV EMU Battery Driving TrailerComposite built 1961 |publisher=Railway Heritage Register |date=16 June 2018 |access-date=5 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105125549/http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4852 |archive-date=5 January 2025 |url-status=dead }}</ref> restoration ongoing.

The carriage has been stripped of [[asbestos]], and the full internal rebuild was abandoned in favour of housing the salvaged parts of the London Underground Victoria Line Cobourg Street signalling centre, and much of the former Brixton interlocking machine room equipment. The Cobourg Street equipment is now partially working, with work ongoing to allow simulated train movements to be displayed.

{{clear left}}

==Fleet details==
{{unsourced section |date=January 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2|Class
!rowspan=2|Route
!rowspan=2|No. Built
!rowspan=2|Year Built
!rowspan=2|Cars per Set
!colspan=2|Unit Nos.
!rowspan=2|Withdrawn
|-
!Original
!Later
|-
!Class 308/1
|align="left"|Great Eastern
|33
|1959
|4
|133–165
|308133–165
|2001
|-
!Class 308/2
|align="left"|LTS
|9
|1959-60
|4
|313–321
|—
|1983
|-
!Class 308/3
|align="left"|Great Eastern
|3
|1961
|3
|453–455
|308453–455
|late-1980s
|-
!Class 308/4
|align="left"|Postal Units (ex-Class 308/2)
|3
|Rebuilt 1983
|3
|(ex-314/319/321)
|308991–993
|1992
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book|title=Multiple Unit Pocket Book|series=British Railways Pocket Book No.2|edition=Summer/Autumn 1987|year=1987|first=Peter|last=Fox|publisher=[[Platform 5]]|isbn=0906579740|oclc=613347580}}
*{{cite book|title=British Railways Electric Multiple Units to 1975|first=Hugh|last=Longworth|publisher=Oxford Publishing Co.|year=2015|isbn=9780860936688|oclc=923205678}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=EMUs|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|series=Motive Power Recognition|volume=2|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1982|pages=28–31|isbn=9780711011656|oclc=16537600}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Crisis point for West Yorks Class 308|magazine=[[Rail Express]]|issue=1|date=June 1996|page=8|publisher=Foursight Publications Ltd.|issn=1362-234X|oclc=498432844}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|British Rail Class 308}}

{{British Rail 1959-design}}
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|308]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1959]]
[[Category:25 kV AC multiple units]]

British Rail Class 308 - Revision history

imported>InternetArchiveBot: Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5) (Danners430 - 24675