British Rail Class 317 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 317
Class 317 at London Liverpool Street
In service	1981 - Current
Manufacturer	BREL York
Constructed	1981 - 1986
Refurbishment	1999 - 2000 Railcare Wolverton
Number built	72 trainsets
Formation	4 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	First Capital Connect National Express East Anglia (including Stansted Express)
Specifications
Car length	19.83 m
Width	3.70 m
Height	2.82 m
Maximum speed	100 mph (160 km/h)
Weight	137.3 t (317/1, 317/2, 317/7) 138.18 t (317/6 only)
Power output	746 kW
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC Overhead
Track gauge	1,435 mm

A Class 317 train at Cambridge in 2003. These trains have been used by different companies over the years.

The Class 317 is a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) train used in Britain. These trains were built by BREL at their York factory. They were made in two main groups, first from 1981 to 1982, and then from 1985 to 1987.

The Class 317 trains were special because they were the first British EMUs to use a strong, all-steel body design. This design was called the Mark 3 bodyshell. It was a new step forward from older designs that used more aluminium. Many other train types, like the Class 318 and Class 455, also used this strong Mark 3 design.

What is a Class 317 Train?

The Class 317 is an electric multiple unit. This means it's a train that runs on electricity and has its own engines. It doesn't need a separate locomotive to pull it. Each Class 317 train is made up of four connected carriages.

How Class 317 Trains Were Built

These trains were built in two main stages. The first group was made between 1981 and 1982. The second group followed from 1985 to 1987. They were designed to be strong and reliable for passenger travel.

Key Features of the Class 317

• Speed: These trains can travel up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
• Power: They get their power from overhead electric lines, using 25,000 volts of alternating current.
• Size: Each carriage is about 19.83 meters long.
• Weight: A full four-car train weighs around 137 to 138 tonnes.

Where Class 317 Trains Have Operated

Class 317 trains have been used by several different railway companies over the years. They have mainly served routes in the south-east of England.

Early Use and Operators

When they were first built, these trains were used by British Rail. They were an important part of the railway network. Over time, as the railway system changed, different companies took over their operation.

Modern Operators and Routes

• First Capital Connect: This company used Class 317 trains on routes connecting London with places like Cambridge and Peterborough.
• National Express East Anglia: These trains also served routes for National Express East Anglia, including the Stansted Express service to Stansted Airport.
• Other Companies: Some Class 317 trains were even loaned to other companies, like LTS Rail, for a few years.

Refurbishment and Updates

To keep the trains modern and comfortable, many Class 317 units were updated. This process is called refurbishment.

When Trains Were Updated

Most of the Class 317 trains were refurbished between 1999 and 2000. This work was done at a place called Railcare Wolverton.

What Refurbishment Included

During refurbishment, the inside of the trains was often updated. This included new seats and a fresh look for the passenger areas. These updates helped make journeys more pleasant for passengers.

Images for kids

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  A Class 317 train at Welwyn Garden City

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  Class 317/2 in its original blue and grey colours

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  A refurbished Class 317/6 at London Liverpool Street. These trains were updated in the late 1990s.

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  A Class 317 train at Peterborough.

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  A Class 317/3 train at Cambridge

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  The inside of a refurbished Class 317/6, showing the standard seating area.

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  The inside of a Class 317 train, refreshed by First Capital Connect.

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  A Greater Anglia Class 317/6 at Stratford

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  A Stansted Express Class 317/7 train at London Liverpool Street

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  The inside of a refurbished Class 317/7 train.

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  The updated inside of a Greater Anglia Class 317/6 train.

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  A Greater Anglia Class 317/6 train at Hackney Downs.

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  A special nameplate on train 317348.

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  Class 317 train 343 on its last day of service with Greater Anglia before it was retired.