309

	Recognition and Equipment information
	Class 309

View Technical Data

Go to Index Page

Contact Us

Showing its as built maroon livery, Clacton set No. 618, a fur car buffet set, is viewed from its DTC end. Note the wrap around cab windows, these were later replaced by a flat screen due to the high cost of replacement. The front end design of these express sets incorporated a gangway connection with a central headcode box, while air connections and control jumpers were located each side. Buck-eye couplers were provided. CJM Collection

After maroon livery and a spell in BR blue, the Clacton sets emerged in blue/grey colours as shown here on four car set No. 623 at Colchester. By the time this picture was taken the wrap around cab windows had been replaced with flat units. CJM

In common with all the Eastern Region electric multiple unit stock, major facelift overhauls were undertaken in the 1970s-80s which resulted in some major set reformations. The original 2-car sets were made up to four car units, but remained identifiable as the guards van/pantograph was above the cab end and not on an intermediate vehicle. The facelift overhauls also saw the sliding quarter lights in passenger saloons replaced with hinged hopper windows. Painted in Network SouthEast livery, set No. 309602 departs from Colchester. CJM

By the late 1980s, to provide headlights, a new light cluster unit was fitted on the front end below the driving window just above the buffer beam which housed a headlight and tail light. In NSE livery set No. 309615 passes a Class 315 at Stratford. This originally had a buffer/griddle car in its formation, but these were later removed and replaced by a converted TSO. CJM

After replacement on the Eastern (Great Eastern) Region, some of the Class 309s were found other work in the Manchester area operating from Longsight on main line Regional Railways services. A small amount of refurbishing was carried out for this work with sets repainted into Regional Railways livery as shown here on set No. 309623. CJM

With the development of Manchester Airport as a major transport hub, Regional Railways North West agreed to the repainting of set No. 309624 into a special Manchester Airport livery. The set is seen departing from Manchester Airport. CJM