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Class 313 Electric Multiple Units BREL YORK

Class 313 three-car EMUs were built in 1976-1977 by British Rail at York Carriage Works. Class 313 EMU work off 25 kV AC overhead power line OR Class 313 EMU can also work off 750 V DC third rail shoe gear. Class 313 EMUs have a maximum speed of 75 mph. Class 313 EMU formations can be DMSO-PTSO-BDMSO or DMSO-TSO-BDMSO. Class 313 EMU units have a steel underframes with an aluminium alloy body and roof.

A history of Class 313 EMUs

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Six-car Class 313 EMU 313054 on a First Capital Connect suburban commuter service at King's Cross station, London with a Capital Connect train for Welwyn Garden City (Welwyn G.C.) train

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A history of Class 313 EMUs

The Class 313 was the first production member of the BREL 1972 “PEP‑derived” family and the first dual‑voltage EMU in Britain, entering service in 1976 and remaining in traffic until 2023.
It is one of the most historically important suburban EMUs ever built in the UK.
Below is a full, structured history synthesised from authoritative sources.

Origins and Design Lineage of the Class 313EMUs

The Class 313 was the first production train derived from the 1971 PEP prototypes (Classes 445/446), which introduced lightweight aluminium bodies, rapid‑transit‑style doors, and automatic couplers.

  • They formed the start of the BREL 1972 family, which later included Classes 314, 315, 507, 508.

  • They were the first second‑generation EMUs built for British Rail.

Why they were built

  • To operate the newly electrified Great Northern suburban routes into Moorgate.

  • To replace ageing Class 105/106 DMUs and Class 501 DC units.

  • To provide dual‑voltage capability for routes using both 25 kV AC overhead and 750 V DC third rail.

Construction of the Class 313EMUs

  • Builder: British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL), Holgate Road Works, York

  • Built: February 1976 – April 1977

  • Number built: 64 units (313001–313064)

  • Family: BREL 1972 suburban EMUs

The Class 313 was the first British train to combine:

  • A pantograph for 25 kV AC

  • Third‑rail shoes for 750 V DC

  • Automatic Tightlock couplers enabling driver‑only coupling/uncoupling

Technical Characteristics of the Class 313EMUs

Formation of the Class 313EMUs

3‑car sets:

  • DMSO – PTSO – BDMSO (Driving Motor Standard Open – Pantograph Trailer Standard Open – Driving Motor Brake Standard Open)

Key Specifications of the Class 313EMUs

  • Traction motors: 8 × GEC G310AZ (82 kW each)

  • Power output: 656 kW

  • Max speed: 75 mph (120 km/h)

  • Acceleration: 0.79 m/s˛

  • Braking: Electro‑pneumatic + rheostatic

  • Body: Steel underframe with aluminium body/roof

  • Doors: Double‑leaf sliding pocket doors (2 per side per car)

  • Safety systems: AWS, TPWS, Tripcock (for North London Line units)

  • Electrical systems:

    • 25 kV AC overhead (pantograph on centre car)

    • 750 V DC third rail (shoegear on driving cars)

Entry Into Service of the Class 313EMUs (1976)

The Class 313 entered service on Great Northern suburban routes in 1976, including:

  • Moorgate–Welwyn Garden City

  • Moorgate–Hertford North

  • King’s Cross suburban services

Their low‑roof profile allowed them to operate in the ex‑London Underground tunnels south of Drayton Park.

Operational History Across the Network of the Class 313EMUs

Great Northern (1976–2019)

  • Primary operator for over 40 years.

  • Later refurbished by WAGN and First Capital Connect.

  • Replaced by Class 717 units from 2019.

North London Line & Euston DC Lines

  • Replaced Class 501 units on the DC lines into Euston.

  • Operated North London Line services until replaced by Class 378s.

London Overground (2007–2010)

  • Used on the North London and West London Lines.

  • Withdrawn in 2010 and replaced by Class 378s.

Southern (2010–2023)

  • Final years spent on the Coastway routes (Brighton–Seaford, Brighton–Hove–West Worthing).

  • Last units withdrawn May 2023, ending 47 years of service.

Refurbishments of the Class 313EMUs

Major refurbishments occurred:

  • 1997–2001 (Silverlink)

  • 1999–2003 (WAGN)

  • 2010–2011 (Southern)
    These included interior modernisation, accessibility upgrades, and new liveries.

Withdrawal and Disposal of the Class 313EMUs

  • Withdrawals began in 2019 (Great Northern) and completed in 2023 (Southern).

  • 62 units scrapped, mostly between 2019 and 2023.

  • 2 units preserved.

Preservation of the Class 313EMUs

Two units survive:

  • 313121 (preserved by the Class 313 Preservation Group)

  • 313134 (preserved for educational/heritage use)

Significance of the Class 313EMUs

The Class 313 is historically important because it was:

  • The first dual‑voltage EMU in Britain.

  • The first production PEP‑derived unit, shaping suburban EMU design for decades.

  • The oldest EMUs on the National Rail network at the time of withdrawal.

  • A key part of suburban operations across London for nearly half a century.

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Preserved LocomotivesHOMEPAGE for all of Phil and Molly's PicsMy Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

docspics images of Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays photos of Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays photographs of Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays pictures of Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays  Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery  to Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent  eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular Class 313 EMU rail tour holidays

Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See other TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 *

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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