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Updated internal WIki links to correct c2c article

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{{Short description|Electric multiple unit train (1975–2004)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2008}}
{{Infobox train
| background = #012545
| name = <span style="color:white;">British Rail Class 312</span>
| image = 312718 and 312721 at Kirby Cross.JPG
| imagealt =
| caption = [[First Great Eastern]] Class 312 at {{stnlnk|Kirby Cross}} in 2004
| interiorimage = 312-insideDTO.jpg
| interiorimagealt =
| interiorcaption = Inside a Class 312 unit before refurbishment
| service = 1975–2004
| manufacturer = [[British Rail Engineering Limited]]
| designer =
| assembly =
| ordernumber = {{ubl|30863 (312/0 {{abbr|BDTSOL|Battery (for auxiliaries), Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, Lavatory}} vehicles)|30864 (312/0 {{abbr|MBSO|Motor car, Brake compartment (for guard and luggage), Standard class, Open saloon}}s)|30865 (312/0 & /1 {{abbr|TSO|Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon}}s)|30866 (312/0 {{abbr|DTCOL|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Composite (first- and standard-class sections), Open saloon, Lavatory}}s)|30867 (312/1 BDTSOLs)|30868 (312/1 MBSOs)|30870 (312/1 DTCOLs)|30891 (312/2 BDTSOLs)|30892 (312/2 MBSOs)|30893 (312/2 TSOs)|30894 (312/2 DTCOLs)<ref name=Longworth>{{harvnb|Longworth|2015|pp=73–74, 144, 169–170, 199, 204}}</ref>}}
| factory = [[Holgate Road carriage works, York|Holgate Road, York]]
| family = BR First Generation ([[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]])
| replaced = [[British Rail Class 125|Class 125]]
| yearconstruction = 1975–1978
| yearservice =
| refurbishment =
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction =
| numberbuilt = 49
| numberservice =
| numberpreserved = {{ubl|0|(2 vehicles from 1 unit)}}
| numberscrapped =
| predecessor =
| successor = {{ubl|{{brc|317}}|[[British Rail Class 321|Class 321/4]]|{{brc|323}}|{{brc|360}}}}
| formation = {{ubl|4 cars per unit:|{{abbr|BDTSOL|Battery (for auxiliaries), Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, Lavatory}}-{{abbr|MBSO|Motor car, Brake compartment (for guard and luggage), Standard class, Open saloon}}-{{abbr|TSO|Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon}}-{{abbr|DTCOL|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Composite (first- and standard-class sections), Open saloon, Lavatory}}}}
| diagram = {{ubl|ED212 (312/0 MBSOs)|ED213 (312/1 MBSOs)|ED214 (312/2 MBSOs)|EE305 (all DTCOLs)|EF213 (all BDTSOLs)|EH209 (all TSOs)<ref name=Longworth /><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=ED212, ED213, ED214, EE305, EF213, EH209|work=Barrowmore MRG|publisher=BRB Residuary Ltd.|access-date=25 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 =
| fleetnumbers = {{ubl|As built:|312/0: 312001–312026|312/1: 312101–312119|312/2: 312201–312204|As rebuilt:|312/0: 312701–312726|312/1: 312781–312799|312/2: 312727–312730<ref name=TRC1>{{cite web |title=Class 312 |url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_312.html |work=The Railway Centre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014005642/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_312.html |archive-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=usurped |access-date=25 February 2016}}</ref>}}
| capacity = {{ubl|As built: 322 seats|(25 first-class, 297 standard)<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| operator = {{ubl|[[British Rail]]|[[c2c (1996–2025)|c2c]]|[[Central Trains]]|[[First Great Eastern]]}}
| depots = {{ubl|[[Bletchley TMD|Bletchley]]|[[Clacton Servicing Depot|Clacton]]|[[Hornsey rolling stock depots|Hornsey]]<ref name=Fox87-5657>{{harvnb|Fox|1987|pp=56–57}}</ref>}}
| lines =
| carbody = [[Steel]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| trainlength = {{convert|256|ft|8+1/2|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=TRC1 />
| carlength = {{ubl|{{abbr|Drv. cars|Driving cars (BDTSOL and DTCOL)}}: {{convert|65|ft|1+5/8|in|abbr=on}}|{{abbr|Int. cars|Intermediate cars (MBSO and TSO)}}: {{convert|65|ft|4+1/4|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| width = {{convert|9|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| height = {{convert|12|ft|4+1/2|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| floorheight = {{convert|3|ft|9|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| doors = Hinged, manually operated ("[[Slam-door train|slam]]")<ref name=TRC1 />
| wheeldiameter =
| wheelbase = {{ubl|Motor bogies: {{convert|9|ft|0|in|abbr=on}}|Trailer bogies: {{convert|8|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}|Over bogie centres:| {{convert|46|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| maxspeed = {{ubl|312/0 & /1: {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}|312/2: {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| weight = {{ubl|BDTSOL: {{convert|35|t|lk=on}}|DTCOL: {{convert|33|t}}|312/0 MBSO: {{convert|56|t}}|312/1 &/2 MBSO: {{convert|55.5|t}}|TSO: {{convert|30.5|t}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| axleload =
| steep gradient =
| traction =
| traction motors = 4 × [[English Electric]] 546A<ref name=Fox87-5657 /><ref>{{harvnb|Swain|1990|p=58}}</ref>
| poweroutput = {{convert|1080|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}}<ref name=TRC1 />
| tractiveeffort =
| acceleration =
| deceleration =
| aux =
| powersupply =
| hvac = Electric heating<ref name=BRB210 />
| electricsystem = {{ubl|[[Railway electrification in Great Britain#6,250 V 50 Hz AC, overhead|6.25 kV 50 Hz AC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]] (312/1s only)|{{25 kV 50 Hz}} overhead (all)<ref name=TRC1 />}}
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]]
| uicclass = 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′
| wheels driven =
| bogies = {{ubl|Motor cars: BREL BP14|Trailer cars: BREL BT8<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| minimum curve = {{convert|231|ft|0|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| brakes = [[Electro-pneumatic brake system on British railway trains|Electro-pneumatic]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| safety = [[Automatic warning system (railways)|AWS]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| coupling = Drop-head [[Janney coupler|buckeye]]<ref name="sd001">{{cite book |title=System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 |date=22 June 2011 |id=SD001 |publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board |publication-place =London |page=4 |url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203135/http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| multipleworking = Within class, and with [[British Rail Class 310|Class 310]]
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notes =
| seating = Transverse
}}
The '''British Rail Class 312''' [[alternating current]] (AC) [[electric multiple unit]]s (EMUs) were built between 1975 and 1978<ref>{{harvnb|Marsden|1982|p=42}}</ref> for use on outer-suburban passenger services. It was the last class of multiple unit to be constructed with the [[British Rail Mark 2]] bodyshell, as well as the last class of multiple unit to be built with [[Slam-door train|slam doors]] in Britain. These features contributed to their relatively early withdrawal at 25–28 years old, compared with a typical EMU life expectancy of 30–40 years.

==Description==
The design of these units was based on the [[British Rail Class 310|Class 310]] used on the suburban services out of London Euston, but were rated for a higher top speed of {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and they had flat windscreens from the outset. The only significant difference between sub-classes was that the 312/1 units were also equipped to work on the 6.25 [[volt|kV]] AC overhead [[railway electrification system|electrification system]] used on parts of the [[Great Eastern Main Line]] and [[London, Tilbury and Southend line]] networks.

==British Rail==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}[[File:312-seen-out-train-window.jpg|thumb|left|Class 312 in 1970s blue/grey livery]]As built, the 312/0 fleet were used on the newly electrified Great Northern outer suburban services from London King's Cross to [[Royston railway station|Royston]]. The 312/1s were built for Great Eastern line services from [[London Liverpool Street railway station|London Liverpool Street]]. The four 312/2 units were mainly used to enhance local services between [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] and [[Birmingham International railway station|Birmingham International]], but were also used on other services in the West Midlands.

During the late 1980s, the class received an interior refurbishment that saw the wooden panel interiors covered with fascia panels, the removal of window blinds and other alterations. At the same time units lost their blue/grey livery (312/0) or all-over blue livery (312/1 and 312/2 as introduced) in favour of [[Network SouthEast]] (NSE) livery (312/0-1), whilst of the four 312/2 units, 312204 carried [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive]] yellow and blue livery and the others were dressed in the standard blue and grey, before their transfer to NSE.

At the same time, or soon after, units were reallocated. The Class 312/0 units moved to the [[Great Eastern Main Line]] following the arrival of a more modern {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} [[British Rail Class 317|Class 317]] fleet. The 312/1 subfleet consequently moved to the [[London, Tilbury and Southend line]], displacing older Class [[British Rail Class 302|302]] and [[British Rail Class 305|305]] units. The section of 6.25 kV on the GEML had been converted to the now standard 25 kV, meaning the exclusive dual-voltage capability of this subfleet would continue to be useful, the line still being dual-voltage at the time.

The 312/2 units would also go to the Great Eastern, replaced by modified [[British Rail Class 310|310]] units released by the delivery of [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321/4]] units in the West Midlands. These moves were complete by the end of the 1980s, and allocations remained broadly stable until [[Privatisation of British Rail|privatisation]] and the period until withdrawal in 2003–04.

==Post-privatisation==
[[File:312792 at Shoeburyness.jpg|thumb|left|A c2c Class 312 at [[Shoeburyness railway station|Shoeburyness]] in March 2003]]

Upon privatisation, the fleet was divided between three franchises:

===Central Trains===
[[Central Trains]] inherited four units, 312725–728. These were used primarily on fast [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] to [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] services and were painted in [[Regional Railways]] livery. Their stay with Central Trains did not last long and they were transferred to LTS Rail (later rebranded [[c2c (1996–2025)|c2c]]) in 1996.

===First Great Eastern===
[[First Great Eastern]] inherited 24 units, 312701–724. These were used mainly on [[Colchester railway station|Colchester]] to [[Walton-on-the-Naze railway station|Walton-on-the-Naze]] and [[Manningtree railway station|Manningtree]] to [[Harwich Town railway station|Harwich]] services and [[Liverpool Street railway station|London Liverpool Street]] to [[Ipswich railway station|Ipswich]] and [[Clacton railway station|Clacton]] peak trains. In later years, two former LTS units, 312728/784, were acquired to replace accident-damaged units such as 312707, written off by an [[arson]] attack whilst stabled at Colchester station on 11 March 2003.

In 2003, First Great Eastern acquired new [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360]] units to replace these trains. Units were gradually removed from traffic and, by March 2004, only three sets, 312718/721/723, remained in service. A farewell charter train operated on their previous routes using two of these units. The final sets were used on peak trains and were withdrawn on 25 June 2004 after the return of the five [[British Rail Class 322|Class 322]] units, which had been on hire to [[ScotRail (National Express)|ScotRail]].

With all sets on the London Liverpool Street to [[Southend Victoria railway station|Southend]] service having been replaced by [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321]] units, the last service to survive east of [[Shenfield railway station|Shenfield]] was the early morning 12-car service from [[Southminster railway station|Southminster]] to London, where 321 units could only operate in 8-car configuration.

===LTS Rail (c2c rail)===
[[c2c (1996–2025)|c2c]] (operating the [[London, Tilbury and Southend]] franchise) inherited 21 units, 312729/730/781–799, which were supplemented later by the four former [[Central Trains]] units, 312725–728. These latter units were repainted in [[Network SouthEast]] livery, which were some of the last vehicles to be so treated.

The final units were withdrawn from service in 2003, having been replaced by new [[British Rail Class 357|Class 357/2 ''Electrostar'']] units. Two units were transferred later to [[First Great Eastern]] to supplement their fleet, as detailed earlier.

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 20 December 1990, unit 312 714 was derailed at {{rws|Colchester}} whilst working a {{rws|Clacton-on-Sea}} to {{rws|London Liverpool Street}} service.<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 ==
Vehicles 78037 and 71205 from unit 312792 have been preserved and were at [[Electric Railway Museum, Warwickshire]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.electricrailwaymuseum.co.uk/index.php/our-collection | title = Electric Railway Museum - Full Stocklist | access-date = 2 October 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111007021236/http://www.electricrailwaymuseum.co.uk/index.php/our-collection | archive-date = 7 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Following the closure of the ERM, both vehicles moved to the [[Colne Valley Railway]], Essex in March 2018, taking them back to their native operating area.

==Fleet details==
The table below illustrates the original formation, numbering and areas of use:

{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Sub-class
!rowspan=2|Built
!colspan=2|Unit numbers
!rowspan=2|BDTSOL
!rowspan=2|MBSO
!rowspan=2|TSO
!rowspan=2|DTCOL
!rowspan=2|Area of use
|-
!Original
!Later
|-
|'''312/0'''
|1976–1978
|312001–312026
|312701–312726
|76949–76974
|62484–62509
|71168–71193
|78000–78025
|Great Northern
|-
|'''312/1'''
|1975–1976
|312101–312119
|312781–312799
|76975–76993
|62510–62528
|71194–71212
|78026–78044
|Great Eastern
|-
|'''312/2'''
|1976
|312201–312204
|312727–312730
|76994–76997
|62657–62660
|71277–71280
|78045–78048
|West Midlands
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!align=left|Operator
!No. of units
!align=left|Unit numbers
!Withdrawn
!align=left|Notes
|-
|Central Trains
|align=center|4
|312725–312728
|align=center|1996
|Transferred to c2c
|-
|c2c
|align=center|25
|312725–312730, {{nowrap|312781–312799}}
|align=center|March 2003
|align=left|-
|-
|First Great Eastern
|align=center|24
|312701–312724
|align=center|June 2004
|align=left|{{ubl|312707 destroyed by arson attack in 2003|312728 and 312784 transferred from c2c in 2003}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
* {{cite web | url = http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/search.asp | title = Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey Project | access-date = 25 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090123081959/http://www.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/search.asp | archive-date = 23 January 2009 | url-status = dead }}

===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 Publishing Ltd.|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}}
*{{cite book|last=Marsden|first=Colin J.|date=1982|series=Motive Power Recognition|volume=2|title=EMUs|edition=1st|location=Shepperton|publisher=Ian Allan|isbn=0-7110-1165-6|oclc=16537600}}
*{{cite book|title=Overhead Line Electric Multiple Units|series=British Rail Fleet Survey|volume=11|first=Alec|last=Swain|publisher=Ian Allan|date=1990|isbn=9780711019027|oclc=315344213}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|British Rail Class 312}}

{{Mark 2-derived}}
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|312]]
[[Category:BREL products|312]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1975]]
[[Category:25 kV AC multiple units]]

British Rail Class 312 - Revision history

imported>The Navigators: Updated internal WIki links to correct c2c article