The class 312s

The class 312s

The class 312s are an updated version of the 310s and were introduced in the early 70s. Some of the class worked on the LTS route alongside class 302s and 310s while the others worked on the Great Eastern main line out of Liverpool street station. 4 units, numbered as class 312/2, worked in the midlands during the 1980s, but later rejoined their classmates and were renumbered in the class 312/7 series like all the other 312s at that time. The LTS 312s were sadly all withdrawn by the end of March 2003 when they were replaced by the new class 357s. The Great Eastern 312s were still in use on a handful of services towards the end of 2003 after most of their services had been replaced with new class 360 Desiros, and the remaining 4 units are likely to be withdrawn by April 2004 after replacement by new 360s. The Great Eastern 312s are now the last slam-door AC EMUs in regular service. Preservation does seem to be a possibility.