CLASS 309

In 1962 a total of 76 new generation passenger vehicles of the EMU type were built by BR York works, which at the time were deemed as the 'new standard' electric multiple unit.
These 76 vehicles were for use on the Liverpool Street-Clacton/Walton route. These vehicles were formed into 15 4-car and eight 2-car sets, all were gangwayed throughout and designed for 100mph operation. The front end of power cars were rounded to give a streamlines appearance and the livery carried was maroon.
The actual design of the AM9 stock was based on Mk1 hauled stock of the period. Frontal indication was by a stacked four character route indicator in the gangway door, no destination indicator was provided.
As originally formed each 'unit' was marshalled with one power car, fitted with four 280hp motors. The cars were formed as eight 2-car sets - 309/1, eight 4-car sets 309/2 and seven 4-car sets 309/3. These formations remained until the early 1970s, when the TRB of set 616 was withdrawn due to frame faults, its place was taken by a 'new' vehicle 69108 converted from DMU car 59831.
From the 1970s the formation of the Class 309 stock became very fluid, over the period 1974-81 a number of loco-hauled cars were rebuilt to EMU standards by Swindon to strengthen the original two car sets to four, this was further complicated by in 1981 the withdrawal of the eight griddle/buffet cars, this for a time saw three car sets formed which were later strengthened by further loco-hauled conversions.
The Class 309s were withdrawn from Great Eastern line running in January 1994. At which time sets 309613/616-618/623/624/626/627 were transferred to Longsight for Manchester area use, some reformations took place but the sets remained as four car sets until withdrawn from service in 2000.
Two 3-car sets have emerged from attention at Alstom Eastleigh in mid-2001 as signalling development trains in connection with the Virgin Pendolino project and operate on the Old Dalby test track.
After being delivered in maroon livery, the sets were repainted into BR blue, then blue and grey. With the onset of the short lived London SouthEast sector some sets were painted into 'Jaffacake' colours with NSE livery finally being adopted. After transfer to Manchester one set emerged in Manchester Airport colours, with in 2001 the two Alstom sets painted in white/blue livery,

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As Built condition (modified condition see below)

As built
Sub class: 309/1 309/2 309/3
Number range: 601-608 611-618 621-627
Former number range: - - -
Alpha code: AM9 AM9 AM9
Introduced: 1962 1962 1962
Built by: BR York BR York BR York
Formation: DMBSK+BDTS BDTC+MBSK+TRB+DTC BDTC+MBSK+TSO+DTC
Vehicle numbers: DMBSK - 61940-61947 BDTC - 75637-75644

BDTC - 75962-75968
BDTS - 75984-75991 MBSK - 61932-61939 MBSK - 61925-61931
TRB - 69100-69107 TSO - 70253-70259
DTC - 75976-75983 DTC - 75969-75975
Set length: 132ft 9 1/4in 265ft 8 1/2in 265ft 8 1/2in
Vehicle length: 64ft 6in 64ft 6in 64ft 6in
HeigHt: 13ft 0 1/2in 13ft 0 1/2in 13ft 0 1/2in
Width: 9ft 3in 9ft 3in 9ft 3in
Seating: Total - 108S Total - 36F/112S/32U Total - 36F/176S
DMBSK - 48S BDTC - 18F/32S BDTC - 18F/32S
BDTS - 60S MBSK - 48S MBSK - 48S
TRB - 32U TSO - 64S
DTC - 18F/32S DTC - 18F/32S
Internat layout: 2+2, Compartment 2+2, Compartment, 2+1F 2+2, Compartment, 2+1F
Gangway: Throughout Throughout Throughout
Toilets: BDTS - 1 BDTC, DTC - 1 BDTC, DTC - 1
Weight: Total - 99 tons Total - 168 tons Total - 167 tons
DMBSK - BDTC - BDTC -
BDTS - MBSK - MBSK -
TRB - TSO -
DTC - DTC -
Brake type: Air (EP/Auto) Air (EP/Auto) Air (EP/Auto)
Bogie type: Commonwealth Commonwealth Commonwealth
Power collection: 6.25kV ac and 25kV ac overhead 6.25kV ac and 25kV ac overhead 6.25kV ac and 25kV ac overhead
Traction motor type: 4 x EE 4 x EE 4 x EE
Horsepower: 1,128hp 1,128hp 1,128hp
Max speed: 100mph 100mph 100mph
Coupling type: Buck-eye Buck-eye Buck-eye
Multiple restriction: Within class Within class Within class
Door type: Slam Slam Slam
Special features:

1981 formations

  Modified formations
Sub class: 309/1 309/3
Number range: 309601-309608 309611-309627
Former number range: 601-608 611-627
Alpha code: AM9 AM9
Introduced: 1961 1961
Built by: BR York BR York
Formation: DMBS+TS+TC+BDTS BDTC+MBS+TS+DTS
Vehicle numbers: DMBS - 61940-61947 BDTC - 75637-75644, 75962-75968
TS - 71569-71572, 71108-71110 MBS - 61925-61939 (not in order)
TC - 71573-71576, 71111-71114 TS - 70253-70259, 71754-71761 (not in order)
BDTS - 75984-75991 DTS - 75969-75983 (not in order)
Set length: 265ft 8 1/2in 265ft 8 1/2in
Vehicle length: 64ft 6in 64ft 6in
Height: 13ft 0 1/2in 13ft 0 1/2in
Width: 9ft 3in 9ft 3in
Seating: Total - 24F/196S Total - 18F/194S
DMBS - 48S BDTC - 18F/32S
TS - 64S MBS - 48S
TC - 24F/24S TS - 64S
BDTS - 60S DTS - 50S
Internat layout: 2+1F/2+2S 2+1F/2+2S
Gangway: Throughout Throughout
Toilets: TS, BDTS - 1 BDTC, TS, DTS - 1
Weight: Total - 167.5 or 170 tonnes Total - 169 tonnes
DMBS - 60 tonnes BDTC - 40 tonnes
TS - 32 or 34.5 tonnes MBS - 57 tonnes
TC - 35.5 tonnes TS - 35 tonnes
BDTS - 40 tonnes DTS - 37 tonnes
Brake type: Air (EP/Auto) Air (EP/Auto)
Bogie type: Commonwealth Commonwealth
Power collection: 6.25kV ac* and 25kV ac overhead 6.25kV ac* and 25kV ac overhead
Traction motor type: 4 x EE 4 x EE
Horsepower: 1,128hp 1,128hp
Max speed: 100mph 100mph
Coupling type: Buck-eye Buck-eye
Multiple restriction: Class 302-312 Class 302-312
Door type: Slam Slam
Special features:  
Originally 2-car sets
* 6.25kV ac isolated		 * 6.25kV ac isolated