Class 319 Profile and Models
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. |
|
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 |