British Rail Class 309 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 309
Two Class 309 electric multiple units coupled together at London Liverpool Street. One of these is in Network SouthEast livery and the other is in "Jaffa Cake" livery with "Essex Express" branding.
In service	1962-2000
Manufacturer	BR York
Number built	1962-1963
Formation	2/3/4 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	British Rail
Specifications
Maximum speed	100 mph (160 km/h)
Weight	Total - 99 tons (309/1) Only Total - 168 tons (309/2) Only Total - 167 tons (309/3) Only
Braking system(s)	Air (EP/Auto)
Track gauge	Standard gauge (1,435 mm)

The front of a Class 309 train in blue/grey InterCity livery with original 'wrap around' cab windows at London Liverpool Street station

The front of a Class 309 train in blue/grey InterCity livery with modified front windows at London Liverpool Street station

The British Rail Class 309 "Clacton Express" electric multiple units (EMUs) were built by British Rail (BR) York Works from 1962-1963. They were initially classified as Class AM9 before the introduction of TOPS. These units were the first express 25 kV alternating current (AC) units to be built by British Rail, and British Rail's first EMUs to be capable of 100 mph.