312019 waits the “Right Away” from Finsbury Park station with a southbound Great Northern outer suburban service, 18th February 1978.

Unit History
312019 is one of a batch of twenty six, four car units built at York works between 1976 and 1978 for the Great Northern outer suburban services following electrification. The class 312 was the last class of multiple unit to be constructed with the British Rail Mark II bodyshell and slam doors. This latter feature contributed to their relatively early withdrawal. During the late 1980s the 312/0 units moved to the Great Eastern for outer suburban services from Liverpool Street following the delivery of new class 317 units for Great Northern outer suburban services. On transfer 312019 became 312719. In 2003 First Great Eastern acquired new class 360 units to replace the last of the slam door stock and the class 312 units were gradually removed from traffic with the last units being withdrawn in March 2004.

Tags:   18th February

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312022 approaches Finsbury Park station with a southbound Great Northern outer suburban service, 18th February 1978. In those days I was made of much hardier stuff to stand on the end of the platform taking photographs on what was a very cold and freezing day.

Praktica LTL Ektachrome 200

Tags:   18th February

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On a bitterly cold mid winter evening 312022 waits to depart for Royston from the suburban train shed at Kings Cross, 17th February 1978.

Unit History
312022 is one of a batch of twenty six, four car units built at York works between 1976 and 1978 for the Great Northern outer suburban services following electrification. The class 312 was the last class of multiple unit to be constructed with the British Rail Mark II bodyshell and slam doors. This latter feature contributed to their relatively early withdrawal. During the late 1980s the 312/0 units moved to the Great Eastern for outer suburban services from Liverpool Street following the delivery of new class 317 units for Great Northern outer suburban services. On transfer 312022 became 312722. In 2003 First Great Eastern acquired new class 360 units to replace the last of the slam door stock and the class 312 units were gradually removed from traffic with the last units being withdrawn in March 2004.

Praktica LTL, Ektachrome 200

Tags:   17th February

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Four car class 312 EMU 312108 leads a twelve car formation east through Stratford in the early morning winter sunshine, 17th November 1978.

Unit History
The class 312 EMU’s were built in three batches (between 1975 and 1978) for outer suburban passenger services. They were the last class of EMU to be constructed using the Mark II coach bodyshell, and also the last EMU’s built with slam doors. This latter feature contributed to their relatively early withdrawal. 312108 is from the first batch of nineteen units built at York works in 1975/76 for Great Eastern services out of Liverpool Street. It was renumbered 312788 in the early 1980’s and remained on Great Eastern duties until the late 1980’s when it transferred to London, Tilbury and Southend services from Fenchurch Street. It was displaced on these duties by class 357 Electrostar units and was withdrawn in 2003.

Tags:   17th November

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312110 is the leading four car unit of a twelve car train approaching Colchester, 30th May 1978.

Unit History
The class 312 EMU’s were built in three batches (between 1975 and 1978) for outer suburban passenger services. They were the last class of EMU to be constructed using the Mark II coach bodyshell, and also the last EMU’s built with slam doors. This latter feature contributed to their relatively early withdrawal. 312110 is from the first batch of nineteen units built at York works in 1975/76 for Great Eastern services out of Liverpool Street. It was renumbered 312790 in the early 1980’s and remained on Great Eastern duties until the late 1980’s when it transferred to London, Tilbury and Southend services from Fenchurch Street. It was displaced on these duties by class 357 Electrostar units and was withdrawn in 2003.

Praktica LTL

Tags:   30th May 312110

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