imported>JN1905-1955: /* Class 316 */ Reworded following the scrapping of 455912

2025-10-01T22:39:58Z

Class 316: Reworded following the scrapping of 455912

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox train
| name = British Rail Classes 316 and 457
| image = Hugh llewelyn 457 001 (6250540761).jpg
| caption = 67300 at [[Electric Railway Museum, Warwickshire]]
| interiorimage =
| imagesize = 300px
| interiorcaption =
| background = #012545; color: white;
| manufacturer = [[British Rail Engineering Limited]]
| factory = [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]]
| family = BR Second Generation ([[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]])
| operator = [[Network SouthEast]]
| formation = 4 cars
| numberbuilt = 1
| lines =
| service = {{ubl|1989 (as Class 457)|1990 (as Class 316)}}
| refurbishment =
| carlength =
| width =
| height =
| weight =
| capacity =
| maxspeed =
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electricsystem = {{ubl|{{750 V DC|conductor=y}}|{{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[overhead line]]s (Class 316)}}
| collectionmethod = {{ubl|[[Contact shoe]] (Class 457)|[[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]] (Class 316)}}
| transmission =
| safety =
| coupling =
}}

'''Class 316''' and '''Class 457''' were [[TOPS]] classifications assigned to a single [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) at different stages of its use as a [[prototype]] for the [[Networker (train)|Networker]] series.

==Project==
In the late 1980s, the [[Network SouthEast]] division of [[British Rail]], which operated the railway network in [[South East England]], started to develop a new standard train, known as the ''[[Networker (train)|Networker]]''. To test out the technical arrangements for the ''Networker'', a test train was used, converted from former [[British Rail Class 210|Class 210]] carriages, which were built in 1982 by [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]] as prototype 'Second Generation' Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU), but were withdrawn after a few years.

===Class 457===
Initially the test unit was formed for trials on the {{750 V DC|conductor=y}} system of the [[Southern Region of British Railways|Southern Region]], and was numbered 457001. As with all Southern Region [[electric multiple unit]]s only the last four digits of the unit number were actually carried.
The unit formation was:
{| class="wikitable"
!Vehicle Number
!Vehicle Type
!From unit
|-
|align=center|67300
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|210001
|-
|align=center|67400
|align=center|TSO
|align=center|210002
|-
|align=center|67401
|align=center|TSO
|align=center|210001
|-
|align=center|67301
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|210002
|-
|}

===Class 316===
Later, the unit was altered to undertake trials on the {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[overhead line]] system used on electrified lines north of the [[River Thames]]. The unit was renumbered as a Class 316 unit, number 316999. To enable it to work on the AC electrification, a pantograph trailer from a [[British Rail Class 313|Class 313]] unit 313034 was inserted into the set, replacing one of the intermediate trailers. This spare vehicle (no. 67400) was later incorporated into a [[British Rail Class 455|Class 455/9]] DC suburban unit, replacing a damaged Trailer Second Open (TSO) vehicle.

The unit formation was:
{| class="wikitable"
!Vehicle Number
!Vehicle Type
!From unit
|-
|align=center|67300
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|210001
|-
|align=center|71246
|align=center|PTSO
|align=center|313034
|-
|align=center|67401
|align=center|TSO
|align=center|210001
|-
|align=center|67301
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|210002
|-
|}

===Preservation===
After the AC trials were complete, the set was returned to the Southern Region for storage, minus the Class 313 trailer, which returned to its previous formation. The two driving cars were preserved at the [[Electric Railway Museum, Warwickshire]], one being resold to the [[Eversholt Rail Group]] and inserted into set [[British Rail Class 455|455913]] in 2013 after being rebuilt at [[Wolverton railway works]] to replace a carriage destroyed in an accident.<ref>"Repairs to 5913 completed" ''[[Today's Railways UK]]'' issue 138 June 2013 page 66</ref> The vehicle (67301) was converted to a 455 MSO.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160805200723/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/news/swt/2014-new-power-car-for-5913.html New Power Car for 5913] Southern Electric Group</ref> The remaining intermediate trailer was scrapped.

Vehicle details are shown below:
{| class="wikitable"
!Key:
|bgcolor=lightgrey |Scrapped
|bgcolor=lightskyblue |Preserved
|}

{| class="wikitable"
!Vehicle Number
!Vehicle Type
!Former Number
!align=left|Disposal Details
|-bgcolor=lightskyblue
|align=center|67300
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|60300
|Preserved at [[East Kent Railway (heritage)|East Kent Railway]]
|-bgcolor=lightgrey
|align=center|67400
|align=center|TSO
|align=center|60400
|Inserted into [[British Rail Class 455|Class 455/9]] unit 5912. Scrapped in June/July 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Former Class 210 car heads to the scrapyard |magazine=[[Mortons of Horncastle|Rail Express]] |issue=351 |date= August 2025 |page=22}}</ref>
|-bgcolor=lightgrey
|align=center|67401
|align=center|TSO
|align=center|60401
|Scrapped, Body still in one piece{{Clarify|date=April 2023}}
|-bgcolor=lightgrey
|align=center|67301
|align=center|DMSO
|align=center|60301
|Converted to MSO and inserted into [[British Rail Class 455|Class 455/9]] unit 5913. Scrapped in September 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Multiple Units |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |volume=171 |issue=1495 |date= October 2025 |page=75}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 455 withdrawals gather pace |magazine=[[Mortons of Horncastle|Rail Express]] |issue=353 |date= October 2025 |page=22}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Alternative uses of the Class 316 number==
[[British Rail Class 316 (Picc-Vic)|Class 316]] was originally reserved in the British Rail Fleet List for an AC EMU for the [[Picc-Vic tunnel|Piccadilly to Victoria (Picc-Vic) underground line]] proposed for Manchester in the 1970s. The specifications and some outline design proposals for the new fleet was prepared at the [[Railway Technical Centre]] but never proceeded to tender with the project cancelled.

The [[British Rail Class 307#Class 316 testbed unit|Class 316]] designation was also used in 1992 for a three car [[British Rail Class 307|Class 307]] EMU used as a testbed unit for new traction equipment.

==References==
{{commons}}
{{reflist}}

{{Networker}}
{{Mark 3-derived}}
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:BREL products|457]]
[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|457]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1989]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1990]]

British Rail Classes 316 and 457 - Revision history

imported>JN1905-1955: /* Class 316 */ Reworded following the scrapping of 455912