British Rail Class 318
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| British Rail Class 318 | |
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 Citizen's Network (318259) at Partick after refurbishment, showing the new driver's cab and PIS system. |
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| In service | 1986 - Current |
| Manufacturer | BREL |
| Number built | 21 trainsets |
| Formation | 3 cars per trainset |
| Operator | First ScotRail |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 90 mph (145 km/h). |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Voltage | 25kV |
The British Rail Class 318 is an electric multiple unit train, which operates exclusively in the SPT 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 Glasgow and Ayr/Largs/Ardrossan. They were also used on the Inverclyde Line in small numbers and on rare occasions the Cathcart Circle, Neilston and the Newton line.
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[edit] Background and History
Effectively a 3-car version of the Class 317 units used in the South East region, 22 of these Mark 3-based units were built by BREL at York works between 1984-1985, to replace the elderly Class 101 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 two driving trailers at either end. The units run on the standard 25kV AC overhead power collection system, and are standard class throughout, but with one toilet located in the rearmost driving trailer.
Two sets can be worked in multiple to form a 6-car set, which is usually the case for Glasgow-Ayr services, dropping to 3-car sets for the Largs and Ardrossan runs. The units have a maximum speed of 90mph, and can complete the 34 mile journey between Glasgow Central and Ayr in around 45 minutes.
Since the introduction of the Class 334 units onto the Ayrshire Coast route, a number of 318s have been cascaded onto the Argyle and North Clyde routes. On the latter the 318 can be sometimes be seen running in formation with Class 320 sets.
It is rumoured that the Class 318 are soon to return to just Ayrshire and Inverclyde services due to being able to carry more passengers than Class 334 units, until 4 car units arrive on the Ayrshire routes.[citation needed]
As recently as March 2008, no 318267 recently have SPT Rail logos lost , making the unit unbranded.
[edit] Accidents and incidents
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. The train crashed through the station building and out onto Largs Main Street. Luckily, 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. According to the March 2005 edition of First ScotRail's newsletter, firstInsight, the reconstruction of the station building had then just been completed.
On the 3 September 2007, unit 318254 derailed near Exhibition Centre station in Glasgow. The train, which ran ECS from Anderston, after terminating there, and reversed to head back to Anderston, to take up 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. It is worth pointing out that this is the same unit as in the Largs rail crash.
[edit] Changes in the fleet
During the late 1990s, the 318s underwent a minor refitting which involved replacing the seats with new seating in the newer corporate 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 was also undertaken gradually at this time.
All Class 318s have recently undergone a conversion process which involves the removal of the corridor connection on the driver's cars. Although one might feel this is detrimental to passenger operations, there have been no great problems in the Class 334 or Class 320 which also have no corridor connection. Apart from 'cleaning up' the appearance of the driver's cars, this allows the driver to have a far more roomy 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 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 264), 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 334s.
[edit] Named units
- 318259
- Citizens' Network
- 318266
- Strathclyder
[edit] References
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