Class 319 Profile and Models

Class 319

319370 at Huyton in April 2018. ©Superalbs

The British Rail Class 319 is an electric multiple unit passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for use on north–south cross-London services. These dual-voltage trains are capable of operating on 25 kV 50 Hz from AC overhead wires or 750 V DC from a third rail. Built in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990, the units were primarily used on the then-new Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton and various other destinations south of London. The majority of the fleet remained in use on the Thameslink route after its reshaping and privatisation in 1997. Some of the fleet was also used by Connex South Central and latterly Southern on various services operating out of London Victoria, including flagship expresses to Brighton. Since delivery of new Class 700 rolling stock for Thameslink services began in 2015, the Class 319 units have been redeployed for use on electrified lines in North West England but by 2024 will be replaced by Class 323 units cascaded from West Midlands Trains. Several sets have been tested for other purposes such as parcels workings or converted to use alternative power sources such as diesel, hydrogen or batteries.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

Electric Multiple Unit - 25kV 50Hz AC Overhead & 750V DC 3rd-Rail

Builder

BREL York Works

Build Dates

1987 to 1990

Total Built

86 sets

Coaches Per Unit

4-car

Power Output

1,330 hp

Top Speed

100 mph

Passenger Capacity

272 to 316 seats

Operated By

British Rail
Connex
First Capital Connect
London Midland
London North Western Railway
Northern Rail
Northern Trains
Southern Rail
Thameslink

Main Duties

Suburban Passenger

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

21 in service
38 converted to Class 768, 769 and 799
13 scrapped