Surviving BR EMU classes: SPT/ScotRail Class 320

AS the ranks of BR-built suburban trains continues to shrink, the time to stop taking them for granted has most certainly arrived and in the case of some classes, gone forever. Whilst a handful of units have been redeployed on other networks such as the Class 319 in the north west of England, new train construction will eventually push them out.

A stronghold of BR-built suburban EMUs remains in Scotland on the Glasgow suburban network. Inner suburban services are still routinely served by Class 318 units originally built for the Ayr Line electrification, together with Class 320s and former Class 321s displaced from London Midland suburban services. Sadly, ScotRail Class 314s succumbed during 2019 with 15 of the 16-strong fleet scrapped.

This edition of D&E Files is dedicated to the ScotRail Class 320 following the release of the Revolution Trains models of Class 320 and Class 321 in February. Twenty-two units (320301-322) were built in 1990 for suburban services on the fascinating network of lines north of the River Clyde including the Argyle

Line and North Clyde Line. Class 320s have dominated services originating from Airdrie, Springburn, Milngavie, Dalmuir, Balloch and Helensburgh Central at various times since their introduction, and have extended their range south of the Clyde since late 2016, displacing Class 314s.

Amazingly for 1990, Class 320s were constructed without lavatories because of the short journey times. Speed was restricted to 75mph to suit suburban services with closely spaced stations typical of the Glasgow suburban routes. Consequently, bogie yaw dampers were not fitted to the bogies. Subsequent fitting of dampers allows them to be operated at 90mph, matching the maximum speed of Class 318s.

Refurbishment between 2011 and 2013 saw the installation of lavatories alongside other interior improvements. It was at this time that the SPT carmine and cream livery was replaced with Saltire livery and named units lost their nameplates.

Class 320/4

The class was strengthened with the addition of seven Class 321/4 units cascaded from the London Midland suburban services in 2016. They were refurbished at Doncaster and reduced to three-car formations by the removal of the Trailer Standard Open (TSO) before being introduced in 2016. The first three units arrived on the network in London Midland livery, followed by the first refurbished unit in August 2016.

The former Class 321/4s were reclassified as Class 320/4, retaining their original unit numbers. A further five were introduced in 2018 following refurbishment by Wabtec in Kilmarnock. (320401, 403, 404, 411418 and 420).

Liveries

All 22 Class 320/3 units were delivered in SPT orange and black livery, which was replaced with SPT carmine and cream from 1997. This, in turn, was revised slightly by 2004.

Saltire blue livery was applied during the refurbishment scheme of 2011-2013. Apart from the first three former Class 321s to be allocated to ScotRail as Class 320/4, the additional units were finished in Saltire livery from introduction.

Modelling

No mainstream ready to run ‘OO’ gauge model of a Class 320 or 321 has been produced. Bratchell Models produces injection moulded plastic kit for

Class 320s and Class 321s in various formats.

An undecorated Class 320/3 kit costs £189, whilst the Class 321 is £252, including wheels. www.bratchellmodels.com

Early days for the long-lived Class 320/3 with No. 320321 approaching Partick from the west on a dull afternoon on March 30, 1991.

Thirty years later and No. 320321 continues to ply the routes north of the Clyde as it has always done. It is a much changed EMU, now being uprated for 90mph running and refurbished internally, including a new lavatory. Partick (again) is the location of this picture which was taken on April 22, 2021. Whilst there are no immediate plans to replace Class 318s and Class 320s, don’t delay too long if you want pictures of these trains in regular service.

Unrefurbished Class 320/3 No. 320307 awaits its next turn at Helensburgh Central on March 16, 2006. It carries the revised version of SPT carmine and cream livery.

No. 320306 leads No. 320415 on a Balloch-Airdrie service on approach to Bowling on April 22, 2021.

Newcomers to the fleet include Class 320/4 No. 320415, one of 12 Class 321s cascaded from the London Midland. It was photographed at Partick on April 22, 2021. It was the first fully refurbished Class 320/4 to be introduced in August 2016.

MSO No. 63041 of No. 320321 Rt. Hon John Smith QC MP wearing revised SPT carmine and cream livery with the full height of the passenger doors finished in cream and the updated SPT logo. A total of eight Class 320s have carried names, which were removed during refurbishment in 2011.

A record shot of MSO No. 63029 of No. 320309 Radio Clyde 25th Anniversary taken at Bowling in October 2003. It carried the original form of SPT carmine and cream livery, with lining crossing the passenger doors.

The inner end of DTSO No. 78110 of Class 320/4 No. 320416 showing the external appearance of the lavatory compartment. The window and body panel arrangement is different from those fitted to refurbished Class 320/3.

MSO No. 63026 of No. 320306 showing the pantograph well, Brecknell Willis pantograph and the roof detail.

Inner end of DTSO No. 77900 of Class 320/3 No. 320302 with a different window arrangement adjacent to the lavatory compartment.