British Rail Class 333

Infobox EMU
name = British Rail Class 333

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imagesize = 300px
caption = A Class 333 EMU at Bradford Forster Square in the new Northern Rail livery.
background = #AB273A
Manufacturer = Siemens AG and CAF
Operator = Northern Rail
Refurbishment = 2008 - 2009
Formation = 4 cars per trainset
Built = 16 trainsets
InService = 2000 - Current
Weight = 147.9 t (3 cars)
186.4 t (4 cars)
Capacity = 260 seats (3 cars)
360 seats (4 cars)
MaxSpeed = 100 mph (161 km/h)
Gauge = 1,435 mm
Brakes = Regenerative air brake
Voltage = 25 kV AC Overhead
Power = 1.4 MWThe British Rail Class 333 electric multiple units were built by Siemens and are based on the Class 332 trains operated by Heathrow Express.

Description

Sixteen three-car units were introduced in 2000 by Northern Spirit and are now operated by Northern Rail on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines in West Yorkshire, England (between Leeds, Bradford Forster Square, Ilkley and the North Yorkshire town of Skipton). Occasionally they are used for local services on the line between Leeds and Doncaster. They are based at the Neville Hill depot in Leeds and painted in the livery of West Yorkshire Metro, the local passenger transport executive.

The units still carry the old 'combined' Northern Spirit and Metro livery of all over red with the large N vinyl, but are due to be rebranded in the summer of 2008 in Northern/West Yorkshire Metro livery. ["http://www.northernrailways.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=440]

Units 333 002 and 333 004 have now received their new livery of a revised Northern/West Yorkshire Metro livery. [Today's Railways Issue 81]

Due to increased passenger numbers, the sets were lengthened to four cars in 2002.

Performance

The units are capable of 100mph, but the maximum speed on any part of the routes on which they operate is 90mph; their brisk acceleration and high power makes them well-suited to commuter services with generally short distances between stations in the hilly part of Yorkshire in which they operate. They are fitted with standard class only 3+2 high-density seating, and each set has one toilet.

Gallery

ee also

*Class 332

References

External links

* [http://www.caf.net/ingles/home/index.php CAF Spain]
* [http://www.siemenstransportation.co.uk/ SIEMENS]
* [http://www.northernrail.org Northern Rail]