Disposal of surplus electric units gathers pace

THERE has been a surge in the movement of electric multiple units (EMUs) to scrapyards in recent months, as rolling stock owners dispose of redundant assets.

Sims Recycling at Newport Docks has been particularly busy, dismantling ex-BR Class 321/322s, Class 455/456s, and - perhaps most surprisingly - two exHeathrow Connect Class 360/2 ‘Desiro’ EMUs most recently owned by Rail Operations Group (ROG).

However, to counter that trend, the Global Centre of Rail Excellence has announced the acquisition of the three remaining Class 360/2 EMUs from ROG. The former Heathrow Connect units are currently stored at MOD Bicester and had been destined for the scrapyard before their reprieve at the start of October.

They will be moved to GCRE in South Wales during 2023, when its two test loops and rolling stock storage facility open. The trains will then be available to the rail industry as testbeds for ETCS, train control, traction, suspension and other innovative technology.

Elswehere, disposal of Southern’s Class 455/7 suburban EMUs was completed in record time after their retirement in May. All 46 sets were moved to Newport in just over three and a half months between May and mid-August, with 455804/819 the last to head west on August 16.

South Western Railway (SWR) has also made inroads into its Class 455 fleet, although ongoing delays to the introduction of Alstom Class 701 ‘Aventra’ EMUs means that the process is taking longer than anticipated. So far, 455704/736/ 740, 455847/855 and 455907/918 have donated components to keep their sisters running before being scrapped by Sims.

In July and August, almost all of the ex-SWR Class 456 two-car EMUs moved from store at Porterbrook’s Long Marston site to Newport for scrap. By late September, all but 456009 had been accounted for.

Greater Anglia said goodbye to its trio of ex-West Yorkshire PTE Class 321/9s (32901-903) and five former Stansted Express Class 322s (322481-485) in August/September - a process completed when 322483/485 were hauled from Ilford to Newport by ROG’s 37884 on September 21. Although built for Liverpool Street-Stansted Airport services, the ‘322s’ led a nomadic life with First North Western, ScotRail and Northern before finally returning to join the similar Class 321s at Greater Anglia.

Of the Class 321s that once formed the backbone of GA’s outer-suburban fleet, only the 30 refurbished ‘Renatus’ sets (321301330) now remain in traffic.

It had been hoped that various electrification schemes would give many EMUs a further lease of life, most notably the Class 321s and ‘365s’. However, all but three ‘365’ vehicles have been scrapped, along with 321344-366, 321405/410/ 422/425/435/437/438/442/445/ 446-448.

Of the rest, Eversholt Leasing’s 321331-336/338-343, 321407/ 419/428/429 are stored at Wolverton Works pending possible conversion to freight EMUs, 321337, 321406/409/421/423/ 424/426/427/430/432-434/436 are at HNRC Worksop, and 321402/ 408/431/439-441/443/444 are at Gascoigne Wood (near Selby).

Porterbrook’s useful dual-voltage Class 319s have fared somewhat better since being replaced on Thameslink duties, although many are stored awaiting redeployment or conversion. Only 319004/013, 319216/218/, 319374/376, 319451/453/456 have so far been scrapped, but 319362-365/371, 319454/460, HydroFLEX demonstrator 799001 and 799201 are stored at Long Marston. Other units in store include sets leased to ROG and converted for freight use, and GWR’s tri-mode Class 769/9s, which could finally enter traffic in December.

Many storage locations across England remain busy, including Potter Group’s Ely Papworth

Sidings and Harry Needle Railroad Company’s Worksop facility. No fewer than 27 Class 43 HST power cars remain at Ely (43017/020/ 023-025, 43165/174/190/191, 43206/238/295, 43305-307/ 309-312/314-320/367), plus a large quantity of former LNER Mk 3 trailer vehicles.

Also on site are 24 former GA Class 317s (317337-341, 317501/ 502/504/506-508/510-512, 317881-886) awaiting disposal or further use. The stored units were all modified to meet improved PRM accessibility rules after January 2021. All unmodified Class 317s were scrapped in 2020-22.

One relatively modern fleet awaiting a deal to secure a new operator is Akiem’s Class 379 ‘Electrostar’ EMUs. Local sources report that the 11 sets stored at Harwich (379002-004/009/011/ 015/016/018-020/028) are deteriorating and will therefore require costly overhauls to make them suitable for passenger service again.

The rest of the class is currently stored at Ilford (379001/005/006/ 010/014/017/021-023/026/027), Cambridge (379008/012/029/030), and Orient Way stabling sidings in east London (379007/013/024/ 025).

South of the River Thames, the introduction of ex-SWR Class 707 ‘Citybeam’ units and a general reduction in services has allowed Southeastern to reduce its Class 465/466 fleet, although these units are not yet slated for disposal. In late September, 465235-240/243246/248-250 were stored at Ely, 465241/242/247, 466010/016/ 024/027/043 were at HNRC Worksop, and 465907/912/929 and 466001/033 were in warm store at Wabtec Doncaster.

Next in line for disposal are likely to be TfL Rail’s six remaining Class 315s (315837/838/847/853/856/ 857) and Merseyrail’s Class 507/ 508s. The latter’s withdrawal is dependent on the long-delayed introduction of new Stadler Class 777 EMUs.

■ Thanks to Andrew Donnelly for his assistance in compiling this summary.