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The reference for locomotives and railcars

British Rail Mark 3 EMUs

British Rail classes 317 to 322, 325, 442, 455, 456 and 210

Great Britain 1981 526 produced
Greater Anglia 317501 in August 2012 at Bethnal Green Hugh Llewelyn CC BY-SA 2.0

Between 1981 and 1996, British Railways received a large number of electric multiple units based on the Mark III coach profile. Unlike some previous units using an aluminum body, they were all-steel. With a total of two to five cars per set, all classes have one car with four traction motors of different power. The classes 317 to 322 are four- or five-car sets for 25 kV AC with a top speed of 90 or 100 mph. 

The class 325 is similar to the classes 317 to 322, but has no seats, no windows and is being used by the Royal Mail. The classes in the 400 range designate EMUs for service under DC with third rail. While the class 442 consists of five cars and reaches 100 mph, the classes 455 and 456 consist of four and two cars and are being used for suburban service with a top speed of 75 mph. 

Apart from the electric units, only two prototypes of the class 210 were built with diesel-electric propulsion. In the end these were not built in series, since other DMUs with hydraulic transmission were ordered. Most trains of the electric variants are still running. Many were refurbished in the first 20 years of the 21st century.

ScotRail 320414 in June 2019 at Gourock Dave Souza / CC BY-SA 4.0
325008 together with a second set in March 2002 at Slindon Steve Jones / CC BY 2.0

Technical data

General

Property 317 321 325 455
Built 1981-1982, 1985-1987 1988 1995-1996 1982-1985
Manufacturers BREL
Wheel arrangement 2-2+B-B+2-2+2-2
Gauge 1,435 mm (Standard gauge)

Dimensions and weights

Property 317 321 325 455
Length 81.16 m 80.92 m 81.16 m
Wheelbase 14.17 m
Empty mass 137.3 t 137.9 t 138.5 t

Power

Property 317 321 325 455
Power source electric - AC electric - AC/DC electric - DC
Continuous power 738 kW (1,003 PS) 455 kW (619 PS)
Top speed 161 km/h 121 km/h
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