Porterbrook’s stored ex-GTR Class 319s moved to Long Marston

Class 319s sent off-lease by Govia Thameslink Railway have been moved to Long Marston for further storage.

Owned by Porterbrook, the fleet of four-car dual-voltage electric multiple units (EMUs) are being replaced by new Class 700 EMUs.

Rail Operations Group (ROG) has been moving the ‘319s’ from Hornsey, hauling them using Class 37/7s modified by equipping the ‘37s’ with electro-pneumatic brake translation equipment and Dellner and Tightlock couplers compatible with EMUs.

ROG had been hauling EMUs with Dellner couplers for 18 months, but hauling the ‘319s’ was the first time it used direct coupling through its new drop-head Tightlock coupler arrangement. The new Tightlock arrangement has been designed, engineered and fitted by UK Rail Leasing at Leicester.

On July 21, 319008 and 319439 were moved from Hornsey. They followed 319438/447, which had been moved the day before.

On July 13, ROG had moved 319437 to Long Marston. The day before 319425/428 were moved from Bedford Cauldwell depot to Long Marston, and 319012 and 319215 were taken for storage on July 11. On July 10, 319003 and 319421 were moved, and the first to move of the recent batches were 319423/430 on July 8.

Class 319s stored at Long Marston now are 319003/008/012, 319214/215/218/219, 319372/373, 319421/423/425/428/436-439/ 447/451-453/455.

THOMAS NICKLIN. Rail Operations Group 37884 hauls 319425/428 through Longbridge on July 12, on their way for storage at Long Marston. The ‘37’ has been fitted with new coupling equipment, enabling it to haul electric multiple units without the need for translator...