British Rail Class 350

Vehicles of the British class 350 are four -piece electric regional trains ( EMU - electric multiple unit ) from the Siemens Rail Systems ( formerly Siemens Transportation Systems ) developed vehicle concept Desiro, which run among other things, on the West Coast Main Line between London and Birmingham.

Manufacturers and operators

Class 350/1

Manufacturer is the company Siemens Mobility, in its plant in Krefeld- Uerdingen the production of the first 30 trains built between 2004 and 2005 took place. Included in the contract is the maintenance over 25 years in a depot in Northampton, which went into operation in June 2006. The commissioning took place in Wegberg -Wildenrath. On 6 May 2005, the first six moves of the British railway company Central Trains were handed over, the last in August 2005. On 13 June 2005, the scheduled passenger operations began on the routes of the British railway companies Silverlink and Central Trains. The vehicles operate mainly in the southern part of the West Coast Main Line.

Class 350/2

In August 2007, 37 more four -car trains Class 350/2 were given a total value of around EUR 240 million, including spare parts package in order. Purchaser shall be British leasing business Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd. , Who leased to train operators London Midland, which has the West Midlands franchise. The end cars were produced in Krefeld, the first intermediate cars in Prague. After the decision to close the plant in Prague and the other intermediate cars were produced in Krefeld from November 2008. On 8 October 2008, the first train was handed over to the customer in Wegberg -Wildenrath. After receiving the scheduled passenger operation of the first ten trains on 12 December 2008, all 37 vehicles were delivered in June 2009.

Class 350/3 and 350/4

On 28 February 2012, a further order for 20 four -car multiple units was signed, which are manufactured in the years 2013 and 2014 in Krefeld. The order volume of around 170 million euros includes a maintenance contract and is funded by Angel Trains.

Operators of ten trains is referred for services to London, as a class 350/3 London Midland. The other ten trains operated by First TransPennine Express for a route from Manchester Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The first train of the operator First TransPennine Express, designated Class 350/4, was delivered in December 2013 until May 2014 the other new features will follow.

Rolling stock

The train set in aluminum construction is dual-system vehicles that can take either 750 V to DC bus or 25 kV AC overhead line to. Therefore, they are used universally on the English network. The air-conditioned EMUs have a standard toilet and a disabled toilet. The Class 350/4 has a total of three toilets.

The 350 /2 with chairs in the second grade with 3 2 seating, the type 350/1, however, with 2 2 seating.

Stretch

It is operated Class 350/1 on the main north- south routes of Britain between London Euston, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

The first ten EMUs Class 350/2 of the rail operator London Midland operate since 12 December 2008, the so-called West Coast Line, between London and Birmingham, and thus replaced the British class 321.

As of 2014, 20 new trains will complement the transport to London and the distance from Manchester Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh.