British Rail Class 305

Infobox EMU
name = British Rail Class 305

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imagesize = 300px
caption = A failed (broken down) Class 305 train at platform 8 of Stratford station. In the background can be seen part of a London Transport Central Line 1962 stock tube train.
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Manufacturer = BR York/Doncaster
Operator = British Rail
Formation = 3/4 cars per trainset
Built = 71 trainsets
InService = 1960 - 2002
Weight = 118 t
Capacity = 272 seats
MaxSpeed = 75 mph (121 km/h)
Gauge = 4ft 8.5in (1,435 mm)
Voltage = 25 kV AC OverheadThe British Rail Class 305 was an alternating current (AC) electric multiple unit (EMU). Under the pre-1973 British Rail numbering system, the class was known as AM5. When TOPS as introduced, the class became Class 305.

General details

Class 305 was comprised of two sub classes:

305/1 3-car units, standard class accommodation only, built in 1960
305/2 4-car units, first and standard class accommodation, built in 1959

305/1 units were generally deployed on inner suburban services on the Lea Valley Line out of London Liverpool Street to Chingford, Enfield Town and Hertford East. However, they were also used on the Great Eastern lines out of London Liverpool Street and occasionally worked out of their ‘normal’ operating area when coupled to a 305/2 unit or any of the compatible EMUs in use at the time. 305/1 units were replaced from 1980 onwards by British Rail Class 315 units. They were not used elsewhere and all examples of the sub class were scrapped.

305/2 units were generally deployed on outer suburban services on the Lea Valley Line out of London Liverpool Street to Bishops Stortford (the extent of electrification until 1987). Like the 305/1 units, they could occasionally be seen on other services out of Liverpool Street and were sometimes coupled to other compatible EMUs for multiple working. The 305/2s were initially replaced on the Lea Valley Line by Class 321 units during the late 1980s/early 1990s, although services in this area were eventually handed over to British Rail Class 317 units. Most of the 305/2s moved to the Manchester area, taking over services previously diagrammed by Class 304 units. The remainder moved to Glasgow Shields depot, finishing their working lives running the route from Edinburgh to North Berwick.

Preservation attempts

AC EMU Group aimed to save a Class 305 driving trailer, but by the time funding was found, they had all been scrapped, so a Class 308 driving trailer was saved instead.