Recognition and Equipment information
	Class 323

The Class 323s are the main power which operates on the Birmingham CrossCity line from Redditch to Lichfield via the centre of Birmingham. The sets were introduced to coincide with the lines electrification. 26 members of the 323 fleet are operated by Centro and are based at Soho depot. The sets are painted in grey, blue and light green centro livery with full yellow ends. The internal layout in for hi-density seating in the 2+3 style. Passenger access is by two pairs of bi-parting sliding plug doors on each coach. Set No. 323211 is seen arriving at Birmingham New Street from Lichfield. CJM.

The other 17 Class 323s, numbered 323223-323239 are allocated to Manchester Longsight for use in the Manchester, Crewe, Liverpool are surrounding area. Three sets (323223-225) have reduced seating for Manchester Airport use. All sets were originally painted in brown, red and grey Regional railways NW livery, but some now sport First North Western blue (see below). Technically the sets are the same as the Centro units. CJM

North Western Trains/First North Western started to apply their mid-blue offset by gold stars in the mid 1990s, a livery which perhaps suits these sets rather well. No. 323233 in FNW blue is seen under the roof at Manchester Piccadilly station alongside a Class 101 DMMU. CJM

Detail of Class 323 pantograph trailer second. On the Class 323s the two driving cars are the power vehicles, with the middle vehicle housing the power collection and transformer equipment. Sporting North Western Trains blue and gold livery vehicle No. 72233 is illustrated. CJM

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