British Rail Class 318
Encyclopedia
The British Rail Class 318 is an electric multiple unit
(EMU) train
, which operates exclusively in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
network in West Central Scotland
. The units were introduced fully on 29 September 1986 as part of the electrification of the Ayrshire Coast Line
between and /Ardrossan
with alternating current
(AC) overhead lines
. Usage was extended to in January 1987. They were also used on the Inverclyde Line
in small numbers. The trains currently operate the Argyle Line
. The trains can also be found very rarely on Cathcart Circle and occasionally on the North Clyde Line
s.
units used in the Network SouthEast
region, 21 of these British Rail Mark 3
-based units were built by BREL
at York
works between 1986-1987, to replace the elderly Class 101
, Class 107
, Class 120
and Class 126
diesel multiple unit
s (DMUs) which had worked the Glasgow
South Western sector for nearly 30 years. The technical description of the units are DTSO+MSO+DTSO, consisting of a central motor car (with a roof mounted Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph
and four Brush TM2141 traction motors located under the floor within both bogies (two motors per a bogie)) with a driving trailer at either end. The units run on the standard 25 kV
AC overhead line system, and are standard class throughout, with one toilet located in the rearmost driving trailer.
Up to four sets can be worked in multiple to form a 12-car set, although platforms are only capable of handling 8-car trains. The units have a maximum speed of 90 mph (40 m/s), and can complete the 41 miles (66 km) journey between Glasgow Central and Ayr in around 52 minutes. With the introduction of the Class 334s
, in 2001 - 2002, onto Ayrshire
/Inverclyde
routes, both the 334s and 318s were found operating them same lines together.
colours. It is unclear whether this was necessary due to normal wear or was just an improvement. Some sections also had a small table fitted between the seats. The repainting of the fleet into SPT carmine and cream livery was also undertaken gradually at this time.
In July 1995, units 318254 and 318262 were operating a Glasgow Central to Largs service when a braking system failure resulted in the train overshooting the end of the platform at Largs railway station
. The train crashed through shops at the front of the station, and out into Main Street, Largs. Being very early in the morning, there were no serious injuries. The cab of vehicle 77244 (from set 318254) needed to be completely rebuilt. 318262 managed to move by rail back to Shields depot. The reconstruction of the Largs railway station
building took almost ten years to complete.
On 3 September 2007, unit 318254 derailed near Exhibition Centre railway station
in Glasgow. The train, which ran ECS from Anderston railway station
after terminating there and reversed to head back to Anderston to take up its next service, was empty apart from a driver, a trainee, an instructor and a ticket examiner. Two of the four were injured and the others walked away unharmed. This is the same unit that was involved in the Largs rail crash. 318254 is still in service today.
On 16 January 2008, number 318267 was involved in a minor collision at Glasgow Central station
whilst stationary. British Rail Class 334
number 334017 was working the 08:24 passenger service from when it collided with the empty Class 318 train whilst preparing to terminate at Glasgow Central. The Class 334 train was in the process of braking and was travelling at less than 4 mph (2 m/s) when the collision occurred. Four passengers were slightly injured; however only one required hospital attention, and was transferred to Glasgow Southern General hospital in a taxi.
All Class 318s have recently undergone a conversion process which involves the removal of the corridor connection
on the driver's cars. Although one may see this as detrimental to passenger operations, there have been no great problems with the Class 334
or Class 320
units which also have no corridor connections. Apart from 'cleaning up' the appearance of the driver's cars, this allows the driver to have a far more spacious operating environment and gives the driver a better overall view. In appearance, modified units are very similar to the first batch of Class 150
diesel "sprinters", which were also based upon the Mark 3 bodyshell but lacked end corridors.
The Class 318 units were refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock from between 2005 and 2007. The passenger accommodation has also been improved, with new passenger door controls. The interior has been fully repainted in white, and new grab handles have been fitted. New lighting has been fitted, with similar gondolas to the Class 320 units. First ScotRail
originally promised new passenger information systems, similar to those seen on other trains. This was not fitted to the first units to undergo refurbishment (318251 and 318264); however, they have been fitted to the subsequent units, and were retrofitted to the initial units later.
The voice used in the audio announcement systems (in line with other First ScotRail services), is that of Scottish
actress Fletcher Mathers. The system is based on the one used in Class 320 units rather than the Class 334 and Class 380
units.
announced that all ScotRail trains (including from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
) would be eventually repainted in a new, blue livery with white Saltire
markings on the carriage ends. Due to the 318s' recent refurbishment and re-livery, the units are expected to be the last in the EMU fleets to be repainted in Saltire livery. All Class 318 units will be repainted.
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
(EMU) train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
, which operates exclusively in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is a public body which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating regional transport, and especially the public transport system, in the Strathclyde area of western Scotland...
network in West Central Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The units were introduced fully on 29 September 1986 as part of the electrification of the Ayrshire Coast Line
Ayrshire Coast Line
The Ayrshire Coast Line is one of the lines within the Strathclyde suburban rail network in Scotland. It has 26 stations and connects the Ayrshire coast to Glasgow...
between and /Ardrossan
Ardrossan railway station
Ardrossan railway station can refer to one of several railway stations in the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland:*Ardrossan Harbour railway station*Ardrossan South Beach railway station*Ardrossan Town railway station...
with alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
(AC) overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
. Usage was extended to in January 1987. They were also used on the Inverclyde Line
Inverclyde Line
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services...
in small numbers. The trains currently operate the Argyle Line
Argyle Line
The Argyle Line is a suburban railway located in West Central Scotland. It connects the Lanarkshire towns of Lanark, Larkhall and Motherwell to West Dunbartonshire via central Glasgow using sub-surface running...
. The trains can also be found very rarely on Cathcart Circle and occasionally on the North Clyde Line
North Clyde Line
The North Clyde Line is a suburban railway in West Central Scotland. The route is operated by First ScotRail, on behalf of Transport Scotland...
s.
Background and history
Effectively a 3-car version of the Class 317British Rail Class 317
The British Rail Class 317 alternating current electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches, from 1981-82 and 1985-87. They were the first of several classes of British Rail EMU to be based on the all-steel Mark 3 bodyshell, departing from the "PEP"-aluminium design which had...
units used in the Network SouthEast
Network SouthEast
Network SouthEast was one of three passenger sectors of British Rail created in 1982. NSE principally operated commuter trains in the London area and inter-urban services in densely populated South East England, although the network reached as far west as Exeter...
region, 21 of these British Rail Mark 3
British Rail Mark 3
British Rail's third design of standard carriage was designated 'Mark 3' , and was developed primarily for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train...
-based units were built by BREL
BREL
British Rail Engineering Limited , was the railway systems engineering division of British Rail, until the design and building of trains in the UK was privatised in 1993. On 31 October 1969, the company was incorporated as British Rail Engineering Limited.-Main products:The vast majority of BREL's...
at York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
works between 1986-1987, to replace the elderly Class 101
British Rail Class 101
The British Rail Class 101 diesel multiple units were built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath in Birmingham from 1956 to 1959, following construction of a series of prototype units. This class proved to be the most successful and longest-lived of all BR's First Generation DMUs, with the final five...
, Class 107
British Rail Class 107
The British Rail Class 107 diesel multiple units were built by the Derby Works of British Railways and were introduced in 1960. The class looked similar to the later Class 108 units, but were heavier - having been built out of steel.-Usage:...
, Class 120
British Rail Class 120
The Class 120, were a cross-country DMU in three-car formation, built at the British Rail Swindon Works.Totalling 194 cars, three batches were built:*1958 - 49 sets for the Western Region*1959 - 7 sets for the Scottish Region...
and Class 126
British Rail Class 126
The British Rail Class 126 diesel multiple unit was built by BR Swindon Works in 1959/60 to work services from Glasgow to Ayrshire and comprised 22 Motor Second vehicles , 22 Motor Brake Second , 10 Kitchen Trailer First and 11 Trailer Composite vehicles formed into 22 3-car sets formed Motor...
diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s (DMUs) which had worked the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
South Western sector for nearly 30 years. The technical description of the units are DTSO+MSO+DTSO, consisting of a central motor car (with a roof mounted Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph
Stone Faiveley AMBR Pantograph
The Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph is one of the four standard pantographs in use on British railway locomotives and multiple units.The Stone Faiveley pantograph is commonly associated with older locomotives and EMUs, with its maximum operating speed of up to 160 km/h .- Video clips :* * -...
and four Brush TM2141 traction motors located under the floor within both bogies (two motors per a bogie)) with a driving trailer at either end. The units run on the standard 25 kV
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
AC overhead line system, and are standard class throughout, with one toilet located in the rearmost driving trailer.
Up to four sets can be worked in multiple to form a 12-car set, although platforms are only capable of handling 8-car trains. The units have a maximum speed of 90 mph (40 m/s), and can complete the 41 miles (66 km) journey between Glasgow Central and Ayr in around 52 minutes. With the introduction of the Class 334s
British Rail Class 334
The British Rail Class 334 is a suburban electric multiple unit built by Alstom in Birmingham. They are part of the Juniper family of trains along with Classes 458 and 460. They were built for SPT/ScotRail outer suburban services in Glasgow, UK. They later became part of First ScotRail/SPT fleet...
, in 2001 - 2002, onto Ayrshire
Ayrshire Coast Line
The Ayrshire Coast Line is one of the lines within the Strathclyde suburban rail network in Scotland. It has 26 stations and connects the Ayrshire coast to Glasgow...
/Inverclyde
Inverclyde Line
The Inverclyde Line is a railway line running from Glasgow Central station through Paisley and a series of stations to the south of the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde, terminating at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, where it connects to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services...
routes, both the 334s and 318s were found operating them same lines together.
Fleet changes
During the late 1990s, the Class 318 units underwent a minor refitting which involved replacing the seats with new seating in the newer corporateCorporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
colours. It is unclear whether this was necessary due to normal wear or was just an improvement. Some sections also had a small table fitted between the seats. The repainting of the fleet into SPT carmine and cream livery was also undertaken gradually at this time.
Accidents and incidents
Largs railway station
Largs railway station is a railway station in the town of Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south west of .- History :...
. The train crashed through shops at the front of the station, and out into Main Street, Largs. Being very early in the morning, there were no serious injuries. The cab of vehicle 77244 (from set 318254) needed to be completely rebuilt. 318262 managed to move by rail back to Shields depot. The reconstruction of the Largs railway station
Largs railway station
Largs railway station is a railway station in the town of Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south west of .- History :...
building took almost ten years to complete.
On 3 September 2007, unit 318254 derailed near Exhibition Centre railway station
Exhibition Centre railway station
Exhibition Centre station - previously called Finnieston [1979-1986] and earlier Stobcross [1894-1959] - is in Glasgow on the Argyle Line. It serves the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which is accessible by adjoining footbridge from an island platform...
in Glasgow. The train, which ran ECS from Anderston railway station
Anderston railway station
Anderston railway station serves Glasgow's Financial district of Anderston and, across the M8 motorway, the housing schemes of Anderston West. It is a manned station with an island platform and most of it is underground.- History :...
after terminating there and reversed to head back to Anderston to take up its next service, was empty apart from a driver, a trainee, an instructor and a ticket examiner. Two of the four were injured and the others walked away unharmed. This is the same unit that was involved in the Largs rail crash. 318254 is still in service today.
On 16 January 2008, number 318267 was involved in a minor collision at Glasgow Central station
Glasgow Central station
Glasgow Central is the larger of the two present main-line railway terminals in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. The station was opened by the Caledonian Railway on 31 July 1879 and is currently managed by Network Rail...
whilst stationary. British Rail Class 334
British Rail Class 334
The British Rail Class 334 is a suburban electric multiple unit built by Alstom in Birmingham. They are part of the Juniper family of trains along with Classes 458 and 460. They were built for SPT/ScotRail outer suburban services in Glasgow, UK. They later became part of First ScotRail/SPT fleet...
number 334017 was working the 08:24 passenger service from when it collided with the empty Class 318 train whilst preparing to terminate at Glasgow Central. The Class 334 train was in the process of braking and was travelling at less than 4 mph (2 m/s) when the collision occurred. Four passengers were slightly injured; however only one required hospital attention, and was transferred to Glasgow Southern General hospital in a taxi.
Refurbishment
Corridor connection
A Corridor connection is a flexible connector fitted to the end of a railway coach to enable passage from one coach to another without falling out of the train.-Coaches:...
on the driver's cars. Although one may see this as detrimental to passenger operations, there have been no great problems with the Class 334
British Rail Class 334
The British Rail Class 334 is a suburban electric multiple unit built by Alstom in Birmingham. They are part of the Juniper family of trains along with Classes 458 and 460. They were built for SPT/ScotRail outer suburban services in Glasgow, UK. They later became part of First ScotRail/SPT fleet...
or Class 320
British Rail Class 320
The British Rail Class 320 is an alternating current electric multiple unit train found on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport rail network in Central Scotland, and is used exclusively on the North Clyde Line between Helensburgh and Airdrie, North Lanarkshire via Glasgow Queen Street...
units which also have no corridor connections. Apart from 'cleaning up' the appearance of the driver's cars, this allows the driver to have a far more spacious operating environment and gives the driver a better overall view. In appearance, modified units are very similar to the first batch of Class 150
British Rail Class 150
The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :...
diesel "sprinters", which were also based upon the Mark 3 bodyshell but lacked end corridors.
The Class 318 units were refurbished at Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock from between 2005 and 2007. The passenger accommodation has also been improved, with new passenger door controls. The interior has been fully repainted in white, and new grab handles have been fitted. New lighting has been fitted, with similar gondolas to the Class 320 units. First ScotRail
First ScotRail
ScotRail Railways Ltd. is the FirstGroup-owned train operating company running domestic passenger trains within Scotland, northern England and the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London using the brand ScotRail which is the property of the Scottish Government...
originally promised new passenger information systems, similar to those seen on other trains. This was not fitted to the first units to undergo refurbishment (318251 and 318264); however, they have been fitted to the subsequent units, and were retrofitted to the initial units later.
The voice used in the audio announcement systems (in line with other First ScotRail services), is that of Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
actress Fletcher Mathers. The system is based on the one used in Class 320 units rather than the Class 334 and Class 380
British Rail Class 380
Class 380 is the designation given to a class of electric multiple unit trains which operate on the national railway network in Scotland.- Description :...
units.
Future
In September 2008 the Scottish Government's agency Transport ScotlandTransport Scotland
Transport Scotland was created on 1 January 2006 as the national transport agency of Scotland. It is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government's Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department and accountable to Scottish Ministers...
announced that all ScotRail trains (including from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is a public body which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating regional transport, and especially the public transport system, in the Strathclyde area of western Scotland...
) would be eventually repainted in a new, blue livery with white Saltire
Saltire
A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
markings on the carriage ends. Due to the 318s' recent refurbishment and re-livery, the units are expected to be the last in the EMU fleets to be repainted in Saltire livery. All Class 318 units will be repainted.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 318 | First ScotRail | 21 | 1986-1987 | 3 | 318250 - 318270 |