British Rail Class 321

Infobox EMU
name = British Rail Class 321

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imagesize = 300px
caption = Class 321 unit no. 321404 at Euston railway station.
background = #012545
Manufacturer = BREL
Operator = London Midland
National Express East Anglia Northern Rail
Formation = 4 cars per trainset
Built = 117 trainsets
InService = 1986-Current
Weight = Total - 137.9 tonnes
CarLength = convert|19.95|m|ft|abbr=oncite book | last = Fox | first = Peter | coauthors = Hall, Peter & Pritchard, Robert | title = British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2007 | publisher = Platform 5, Sheffield | year = 2007 | isbn = 978 1902 336558]
CarWidth = convert|2.82|m|ft|abbr=on
CarHeight = convert|3.78|m|ft|abbr=on
Capacity =
MaxSpeed = 100 mph (161 km/h)
Power = 1,328hp (996kW)
Gauge = Standard gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Voltage = 25 kV 50 Hz overhead The British Rail Class 321 alternating current (AC) electric multiple units (EMU) were built by BREL York in three batches from 1986-1989. The design was very successful and led to the development of the similar Class 320 and Class 322 units for use by Strathclyde PTE and Stansted Express (now used by First ScotRail) respectively. The bodyshell design was also used for construction of the Class 456 direct current (DC) units. The Class 321s were nicknamed 'Dusty Bins', due to the class number sharing the same name as the game show 3-2-1. (This name has also been given to the diesel multiple unit (DMU) Class 153 no. 153321 for the same reason).

Description

Three sub-classes of unit were built. The first two were built for the Network SouthEast sector, whilst the final batch was built for services around Leeds.

Class 321/3

The first batch of 66 units, built from 1986 to 1988, were classified under TOPS as Class 321/3. Units were numbered in the range 321301-366, and had a maximum speed of 100 mph. Each unit consisted of four carriages; two outer driving trailers, one of which contained first class seating; an intermediate motor coach with standard class seating only; and an intermediate trailer with standard class seating. The technical description of the formation is DTC+PMS+ATS+DTS. These units were delivered in two groups, with individual vehicles numbered as follows:

References