Class 315 Electric Multiple Units BREL EMU

Class 315 EMUs were built by BREL at York from 1980-1986. 

Class 315 4-car sets are constructed from steel and are designed for inner suburban services.

Class 315 4-car-sets have a maximum speed of 75 mph. Class 315 units are operated by Greater Anglia trains.

Contemporary and Heritage-Preserved, Diesel, Diesel-Electric and Electric Locomotives

A history of Class 315 EMUs

315806 (on right 321360) at Liverpool Street station\London

Class 315 859 (4-car set EMU unit 315859) with a Greater Anglia train at Stratford station

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Carriage 64557 from EMU unit 315849, showing the Greater Anglia use of livery of "One" metallic grey with a black bodyside stripe? and white National Express "interim" stripe as branding. Grey-blue and no black stripe?

Class 315 802 (EMU unit 315802) at Stratford station, the Greater Anglia carriage livery of white and red doors, apart from yellow driving cab front.

Class 315 EMU unit 315817 entering Stratford Station with an east-bound Great Anglia train.

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Carriage 71313 from EMU Class 315 car-set 315833 in the Great Anglia livery.

A history of Class 315 EMUs

The Class 315 EMUs were the final development of the BREL 1972 suburban AC family, built 1980–81 at York, and they served London’s suburban routes for over forty years until final withdrawal on 9 December 2022.

Below is a structured, comprehensive history tailored to your interest in British rolling stock evolution, technical lineage, and preservation context.

Origins and Design Lineage of the Class 315 DMUs

The Class 315s were part of the BREL 1972 family, derived from the 1971 PEP (Prototype Electro-Pneumatic) suburban EMU design. This family also produced Classes 313, 314, 507 and 508, totalling 755 vehicles.

Why they were built

• Commissioned to replace the ageing Class 306 units on the Great Eastern suburban network.
• Designed for 25 kV AC overhead operation only (unlike the dual-voltage Class 313).
• Intended for high‑frequency metro-style services into London Liverpool Street.

Construction of the Class 315 DMUs

• Built: 1980–1981
• Manufacturer: British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL), Holgate Road Works, York
• Number built: 61 four‑car sets (315801–315861)

Technical Characteristics of the Class 315 DMUs

The Class 315s were robust, simple, and highly standardised—ideal for intensive suburban work.

Formation

DMSO – PTSO – TSO – DMSO (4-car fixed sets)

Key Specs

• Traction motors: 8 total (4 per DMSO), Brush TM61‑53 or GEC G310AZ
• Power output: 660 kW
• Max speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
• Braking: Electro‑pneumatic disc brakes
• Body: Steel underframe with aluminium body/roof
• Doors: Double‑leaf sliding pocket doors (2 per side per car)
• Safety systems: AWS, TPWS
• Couplers: Tightlock (within-class only)

Ride and performance

Acceleration of 0.75 m/s² made them well‑suited to short‑hop metro services with frequent stops.

Operational History of the Class 315 DMUs

Early BR Era (1980s–1990s)

• Entered service in 1980 on the Great Eastern Main Line suburban routes from Liverpool Street.
• Worked the Shenfield Metro, Romford–Upminster branch, and Lea Valley Lines (to Chingford, Enfield Town, Cheshunt).

Post‑Privatisation Operators of the Class 315 DMUs

The fleet passed through several operators:

• Network SouthEast
• First Great Eastern
• National Express East Anglia
• Greater Anglia
• London Overground
• TfL Rail
• MTR Elizabeth line (final operator)

Refurbishments of the Class 315 DMUs

• 2004–2008: Full interior and systems refurbishment at Bombardier Derby.
• 2015–2016: Additional refresh for London Overground and TfL Rail units at Bombardier Ilford.

Withdrawal and Final Operations of the Class 315 DMUs

• The Elizabeth line introduction (Class 345) and London Overground’s Class 710 Aventras made the 315s redundant.
• Final regular passenger services ran until 9 December 2022.
• A major farewell railtour was held on 26 November 2022, organised by the Branch Line Society, MTR Elizabeth Line, and the Class 315 Preservation Society.
• The fleet even won a Golden Spanner Bronze Award for reliability in November 2022—remarkable for 40‑year‑old EMUs.

Disposal and Scrapping of the Class 315 DMUs

• 60 units scrapped, mostly between 2022–2023.
• Some units stored at Wolverton Works during the disposal phase, including 315809, which enthusiasts discussed as a potential preservation candidate.

Preservation of the Class 315 DMUs

• One unit has been secured for preservation by the Class 315 Preservation Society, following a Sales Purchase Agreement with Eversholt Rail Group.
• This followed four years of campaigning and fundraising.
• The preserved unit is expected to become the sole surviving example of the class.

Significance in British EMU Development of the Class 315 DMUs

The Class 315s represent:

• The final evolution of the PEP/BREL 1972 suburban EMU concept.
• A bridge between 1970s BR modernisation and 21st‑century metro stock.
• A long‑serving, reliable workhorse of London’s commuter network.

Their longevity—over 42 years in service—is a testament to the durability of the BREL 1970s design philosophy.

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My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See other TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 *

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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