Class 304 Profile and Models
304031 at Levenshulme circa 1983. ©pdc666
The British Rail Class 304 (Originally classed as AM4) were AC electric multiple units designed and produced at British Rail's (BR) Wolverton Works. The Class 304 was produced for BR's new electric suburban services, enabled by the first phases of the West Coast Main Line electrification between Crewe and Manchester/Liverpool/Rugby. The units conformed to the 1959-design for alternating current (AC) electrical multiple units, and were externally very similar to the Class 305, Class 308 and the 1,200 V direct current (DC) Class 504 units. Following their introduction during the early 1960s, the Class 304 could be found in operation across the southern and Midland section of the West Coast Main Line. Midway through their service life, the units were reclassified as the Class 304 under the TOPS numbering system. The fleet was withdrawn from service during the early to mid 90s, largely due to the arrival of cascaded rolling stock such as the Class 305/2 units and new Class 323 units. Despite efforts to do so, no units survived into preservation, all examples being eventually scrapped. |
|
Type of Unit |
Electric Multiple Unit |
Builder |
BR Wolverton Works |
Build Dates |
1960 to 1961 |
Total Built |
45 sets |
Coaches Per Unit |
3 or 4-car |
Capacity |
236 to 337 seats |
Power Output |
830hp |
Top Speed |
75 mph |
Operated By |
British Rail |
Main Duties |
Local Passenger |
In Service Until |
1996 |
Surviving Examples |
0 |
Products awaiting categorisation
Scale | Brand | Image | Construction Type | DCC Capability | Product Code | Product Title | Livery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) | DC Kits | Requires assembly | Not set |
DC304 View |
Class 304 London Midland Region 25Kv Multiple Unit (4 Car Unit) kit | Awaiting Categorisation |