British Rail Class 323
The British Rail Class 323 electric multiple units were built by Hunslet TPL from 1992-96. Forty-three 3-car units were built for inner-suburban services around Birmingham and Manchester. These trains were the last vehicles to be built by the struggling manufacturer Hunslet before it collapsed.
| British Rail Class 323 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) West Midlands Trains 323214 at Astonin March 2019 | |
| In service | 1994 - present |
| Manufacturer | Hunslet TPL |
| Refurbishment | 2011-2013, 2018-2021 |
| Number built | 43 |
| Formation | Three car |
| Capacity | End Units 97 seats Central Unit 81 seats Total capacity 275 seats |
| Operator | Northern Trains West Midlands Trains |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | End Units 23.37 m Central Unit 23.44 m |
| Width | 2.80 metres (9.2 ft) |
| Height | 3.78 metres (12.4 ft) |
| Maximum speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) |
| Weight | 119.8 tonnes |
| Power output | 1.168 MW |
| Voltage | 25 kV AC Overhead |
| Braking system(s) | Regenerative Air Brake |
| Safety system(s) | |
| Coupling system |
|
| Multiple working | Within-class only (in service); other units with Tightlock autocouplers (rescue purposes only) |
| Gauge | Standard gauge 1,435 mm (56.5 in) |
Class 323, no. 323209 waiting at Birmingham New Street on 24th September 2003. This unit was operated by Central Trains (now West midlands Trains) and is painted in Centro livery.
British Rail Class 323 Media
Class 323 on approach to Crewe in 1999, still in BR-era Regional Railways/Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive livery.
London Midland Class 323 at Birmingham New Street in 2014
Northern Rail Class 323 in de-branded First North Western livery at Manchester Piccadilly in 2007
Northern Trains Class 323 at Liverpool Lime Street in 2021
