British Rail Class 321 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 321
Class 321 unit no. 321404 at Euston railway station.
In service	1988-Current
Manufacturer	BREL
Number built	117 trainsets
Formation	4 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Greater Anglia
Specifications
Car length	19.95 m (65.5 ft)
Width	2.82 m (9.3 ft)
Height	3.78 m (12.4 ft)
Maximum speed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight	Total - 137.9 tonnes
Power output	1,328hp (996kW)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Track gauge	Standard gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)

The British Rail Class 321 is a type of electric train. These trains were built in the UK between 1986 and 1989. They are known as Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). This means they use electricity to run and can be linked together. The Class 321 design was very successful. It even inspired other similar trains like the Class 320 and Class 322. People sometimes called the Class 321s 'Dusty Bins'. This fun nickname came from a popular TV game show called 3-2-1, because the train's class number was 321.

Class 321/3, no. 321362 at Manningtree in 2003. This train shows the original First Great Eastern colours. These colours were based on the older Network SouthEast design.

Where Did Class 321 Trains Operate?

Class 321 trains were first used for services to Bedford. By 1990, they began working on the Great Eastern Main Line. They travelled to places like Southend Victoria, Braintree, and Clacton. These new trains replaced older models, such as the Class 302 and 305 EMUs. Many of those older trains were nearly 50 years old!

Some Class 321 trains, especially the 321/4 models, were later used by Silverlink. They then briefly worked for London Midland. These trains mostly ran services from Euston to Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Tring.

Images for kids

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  321401 in Network SouthEast colours at Rugby

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  321903 in West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive colours at Doncaster

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  Silverlink coloured 321425 at Watford Junction

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  London Midland 321411 at Watford Junction

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  First Capital Connect 321420 + 321405 at London King's Cross

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  Arriva Trains Northern 321901 at Doncaster in June 2004

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  Refurbished Class 321 Renatus No. 321304 at Ipswich in December 2016

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  The inside of a Standard Class carriage on a refurbished Class 321

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  Greater Anglia Class 321

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  Greater Anglia (ex-NXEA) Class 321

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  Greater Anglia (Renatus) Class 321

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  Greater Anglia (ex Northern Trains) Class 321