British Rail Class 317/2
The Class 317/2 is the Great Northern outer-suburban subclass of the Class 317 family, comprising twenty-four four-car sets (317349–317372) built at BREL York in 1985–87 for the electrification of the King’s Cross outer-suburban routes to Cambridge and Peterborough, which was completed in 1987–88. The 317/2 sets were built to a slightly higher specification than the earlier 317/1 Midland City sets, with air conditioning fitted to the trailer vehicles and an interior configured for the longer-distance Cambridge and Peterborough commuter flows that required greater luggage space and a more comfortable environment than the shorter Bedford corridor.
In all mechanical respects the 317/2 is identical to the 317/1: the same thyristor-controlled 25 kV AC power system, the same BREL York four-car body, and the same 100 mph maximum speed. For the full design history and fleet information, see the main Class 317 entry.
Design and development
The 317/2 was the second batch of Class 317, built specifically for the Great Northern electrification. Air conditioning on trailer vehicles and a luggage space configuration suited to longer-distance commuting distinguished the subclass from the 317/1. See main Class 317 entry for full detail.
Service and withdrawals
317/2 sets entered King’s Cross outer-suburban service in 1987–88 and worked the Great Northern corridor for over thirty years. Under privatisation they were operated by First Capital Connect and Greater Anglia before withdrawal in 2017–2022. See main Class 317 entry.
Identification features
See Class 317.
Numbers and names
317349–317372317/2 sets numbered 317349–317372
- 317349
- 317350
- 317351
- 317352
- 317353
- 317354
- 317355
- 317356
- 317357
- 317358
- 317359
- 317360
- 317361
- 317362
- 317363
- 317364
- 317365
- 317366
- 317367
- 317368
- 317369
- 317370
- 317371
- 317372
24 sets numbered 317349–317372. Built BREL York 1985–87 for Great Northern electrification.
Notable locomotives
- See Class 317
Allocations and regions
Hornsey and Cambridge depots for Great Northern outer-suburban services: King’s Cross–Cambridge and King’s Cross–Peterborough via the East Coast Main Line electrified suburban services. Later worked Greater Anglia West Anglia routes.
