LAST CLASS 304 on the X City Line.

On this day 31st march 1996 I went for a ride on the old bouncy class 304 units.

[@danielsellers8707]

I remember riding these units around Manchester as a young child on the GMPTE Wayfarer tickets. That distinctive fan noise on startup brings back some memories...

[@antman09ful1]

Yeah Daniel great days with comfy seats not like today new units.

[@leenettywilson528]

Enjoyed this video I loved them sort of trains the noise of them the doors slamming the suspension the look of them blue and the yellow at the front I use to go on the railranger it was a ticker were u could go all over the greater Manchester area the ticket cost us a £1 ,10p and me and a few mates would just go on train rides alday loved it I was about 14 years old I think it was about 1990 wot a decade the nineties were everything's just not the same anymore times change but I wish I could go back alit of us do anyway godbless you,

[@antman09ful1]

They were a great unit Lee, always nice and warm, I remember that storm in 1987 when there was very high winds and it wasn't forecasted by Mr Fish at the BBC. I was trying to get to Inverness that night and was put on a class 304 from Crewe to Carlisle, that was some ride. Thank you for watching this old footage of mine. Mike.

[@leenettywilson528]

@@antman09ful1 wow mate I remember the that storm not to much I was to young but has I got older I remember seeing the weather man fish with his white mustash and them glasser's lol even the weather men are not wot they use to be lol anyway I bet that was a mint ride Crewe to Carlisle only because it was on a 305 I think Crewe depot has some of them units left anyway mike godbless you and ur family, netty Lee,

[@leenettywilson528]

304 I meant to say,

[@antman09ful1]

OK Lee, thanks for reply.

[@GSIBOSS]

Thanks for posting this, i used to live next to the Manchester - Altrincham line and used to think the 304s were great, stuck with the Metrolink now breaking down every other day

[@GerardHowells]

Love this. I started riding the cross city line regularly shortly after their withdrawal so my main memory is of the 323s but I do remember taking a journey on a 304 shortly before we moved from Moseley to Erdington on a very hot summer's day. I genuinely think it's what began my love of trains, the memory of the whine of the motors and the mechanics of the slam doors still give me a warm feeling.

[@antman09ful1]

That's great Gerard that this old video footage of mine has jogged your memory from way back in the 90s. Thank for your comment. Regards Mike.

[@alanmills6757]

My first train - used to ride it from West Allerton to Liverpool Lime Street on the service from Crewe - the whirring, the decor, the lovely front - all made them a special memory

[@antman09ful1]

I always remember these units to be very warm in the winter, pleased you have enjoyed this old video of mine Alan.

[@KevinRBoyd]

I was at college in Northampton between 1986 and 1988 and travelled to Manchester on InterCity to interview someone there for my project. I missed my train on the way back and had to ride a 304 a long way. I reckon all the suspension was in the seats...

[@antman09ful1]

Sorry for the late reply but I must agree with your comment about the seats, they were a bit bouncy bouncy. thanks for watching Kevin.

[@jsp7202]

Wow, hard to believe that was twenty years ago. Loved to ride those old 304's and did make it out that day. I can remember when the train pulled into Aston on its way to New Street on one trip and it filled up with unhappy Chelsea fans who had just watched their team loose to Man United in the FA cup semi final. Thanks for uploading the video, even if I didn't see myself in it!

[@antman09ful1]

Sorry I never got you on film, but it was a great but sad day for the class 304s working there last day in the West Midlands. I must thank you for watching this video from all them years ago. Cheers.

[@tonyg9379]

Great vid, thanks. I remember them on the styal line in the '60s', we used to go and sit on the platform watching them in and out. That was when they were green, with the yellow lining. Originally 4 cars, and much later reduced to 3.

[@antman09ful1]

Hi Liam I'm happy that people like yourself enjoy watching the old stuff, and i'm finding it interesting looking back and picking footage of interest myself. Mike

[@jhclausen]

Fame at last! I'm on this video from 4:25 to 4:35 and also at Lichfield taking a photo.

[@antman09ful1]

+jhclausen Oh ok then so you was court on this old video. well done for being there on a sad day.

[@craigdoran6811]

Fantastic units, allways seemed to end up being looped in these at Tile Hill between Coventry And Birmingham. Happy days

[@antman09ful1]

Great day when we had them units Craig, thanks for your interest in my video.

[@390h8er]

I think I only went on a 304 just the once but I remember that interior! Going through the tunnel between New St. and Five Ways; the lighting was so dim and the dark panelling and seats made it feel almost scary. And then there was the noise/motor sounds(!) Good post.

[@antman09ful1]

Great stuff, thanks for watching my video.

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Great archive footage there mike i remember these when i was about 10 years of age.And the watching them arrive into my local station Four Oaks was really going back !! Cheers for sharing these great memories. Regards Liam

[@mark747captain]

Wow, I used to use this line all the time, Northfield to New St to get to the airport plane spotting as a kid. I remember the electrification works meaning coaches on a Sunday but I don't remember these electric trains but that is most likely because I'd stopped going when I was 16 this was the year I turned 21. Nice upload, thanks.

[@antman09ful1]

I'm pleased Mark you have found this video of these old class 310s units and brought back so great memorise for you. Thanks for watching.

[@mark747captain]

@@antman09ful1 No, thankyou, Sir. My mate was a guard on the X-City line and finished work at Cross Country. He told me a heck of a lot about the trains.

[@antman09ful1]

Hi glad you enjoyed this video and yes you had them too, thanks for your comment. Mike.

[@MetroTitanD78]

At 4:38 onwards the sound of the track is absolute heaven and something sadly missing from today's railways, loved hearing it on the old LTS line with the 310/312 units.

[@antman09ful1]

That's great you have enjoyed this old video, it bring back so many memories of sitting in a nice warm train. Cheers for watching.

[@MetroTitanD78]

@@antman09ful1 thanks for sharing and bring back so many memories from my childhood 😊

[@antman09ful1]

Ok that's good, happy I could relive your memories of that class. cheers Mike

[@LittleKitty22]

Great video, thank you for uploading this. I love the 323 units but would have liked to have experienced the 304's too. Unfortunately this footage was recorded just over a month before I came to the UK so I never had chance to see the 304's.

[@antman09ful1]

Well thanks for commenting on this old video.

[@pmallenuk]

Brings back some memories. I remember riding them on the Walsall line to Bescot.

[@EM-yk1dw]

Listen to that roar of the fan to cool the germanium rectifiers. I miss them and the AM10s too.

[@antman09ful1]

Amazing sounds from them good old units Edward, thank you for watching and commenting.

[@EM-yk1dw]

antman09ful1 My pleasure and thank you for bringing back the memories and producing a fantastic film. I miss units like this so much.

[@antman09ful1]

Hi Mate thanks for watching my old footage, I do remember seeing the doors open at the Duddeston wagon sheds but I dont think I filmed anything, I used to visit the Carriage shed a lot but did'nt have a camcorder in them days. Mike.

[@eagle50043]

great vid. some nice memories there as i travelled on 304's throughout my childhood and teens, and i went on this last day aswell :-)

[@soundseeker63]

What really annoys me is that not a single one of these 304/5/7/8 slammers has been preserved. A whole era of BR sparky traction for the masses gone forever! I used to enjoy riding on the very similar class 308s as a kid. The "ding ding" guards bell, the hum of the transformer, the clackety ride, and instant access to as much fresh air as you can handle! A character unlike any modern train. I do actually like the 323s and 333s that replaced the 304/308s, they are just so clinical by comparison.

[@peterbuckley265]

AND LAST DYS OF VARIOUS E M U ' S, NOT ADVERTISED IN THE MEDIA IN LONDON' DISGUSTING INCOMPETENT PEOPLE WHO FORCED PEOPLE TO MISS THE LAST DAYS THROUGH THE LACK OF INFO, SHOULD BE CHARGED THE FULL COST OF ONE REBUILD OF ALL THESE UNITS TO RUN AS HERITAGE UNITS, AS PRESERVED STEAM LOCOS DO. THAT WILL TEACH THEM TO DO THINGS RIGHT. I WORKED AT VARIOUS RAIL UPGRADE CLOSURES, 2006 TO 2013 AS A PAST RETIREMENT JOB ON CONTRACT AND WENT PAST MY LINE OF DUTY TO ENSURE PEOPLE GOT AN EXCELLENT SERVICE SORTING OUT PROBLEMS, NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY; LIKE ASKING SUPERVISORS TO ASK THEIR DRIVERS ON NETWORK RAIL TO ANNOUNCE THE VICTORIA LINE CLOSURES AT VAUXHALL AND WALTHAMSTOW. I HAD A REPUTATION OF EXCELLENT SERVICE ALL OVER GREATER LONDON,WAS CALLED AN EXPERT AND LEGENT, PLUS GOT MANY COMMENDATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, RAIL AND BUS STAFF AND LU RAIL CLOSURE MANAGER AND HIS STAFF.

[@jefflloyd7308]

Soft spring seats heaven

[@antman09ful1]

Proper train's we had then Jeff.

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

Loved the slammer's, we had them in the south too !

[@antman09ful1]

Thanks very much for watching my old video.

[@danw1374]

And boy did you have to slam them to make sure they were shut properly!

[@jasonl4411.]

Lovely stuff

[@antman09ful1]

Oh yes these were great units that kept you warm. Thanks for watching this old video of mine.

[@markslater3842]

Used to go on these as a seventeen old, to my first job travelling from Rugby to Tile Hill everyday

[@antman09ful1]

Do you Mark, in the winter they were always warm with them bouncy seats. Thanks Mark for finding this old video of mine. Regards Mike.

[@m18tankdestroyer43]

I miss the old gals, used to travel up and down the Trent valley bouncing up and down side to side! sadly none survive now. I miss those days now.

[@antman09ful1]

They were great day wasn't they but we didn't realise how much we would miss them bouncy units. Thanks for watching.

[@Shadow_x12]

Great video!

[@antman09ful1]

Oh these were great units if you was cold.

[@Davo37609]

I finally put a name to a face. I saw you down rugby station for the new sleeper coaches on the early morning of Tuesday 22nd January 2019.

[@antman09ful1]

Hello Ben, where did we meet inside the waiting room or on the platform ? Thank you very much for watching my footage. Regards Mike

[@westerleighwerek1493]

Great vid, used to enjoy the ride out to Saltley (Duddeston) and Bescot on these on days out from Bristol!

[@antman09ful1]

+Westerleigh Werek Thanks for your comment, I think once you've had a ride on a 304 you never forget get them.

[@danielsellers8707]

@@antman09ful1 That's right, I remember them around Manchester (and to / from Crewe to visit the railway museum) in my young days (approx. 1986-92), especially that start up sound at 3:44 and thought they were unusual for not having gangways between the coaches (by then) whereas the 305s that replaced them had been refurbished during their time in the South East.

[@antman09ful1]

Daniel thanks for watching, and I'm pleased this video give you some good memories of these units.

[@alanpmillsuk]

Class 304 was the first train I ever went on when they used to be on the Liverpool Lime St-Crewe service and we'd board at West Allerton

[@antman09ful1]

They were great to ride on I think. Thank you for watching.

[@gallimead]

Luckily I started at UCE in 1993. So saw these quite a lot, before they disappeared. Dusty, but very warm in the winter.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes such great days wasn't they.

[@danielsellers8707]

As the 304s never received gangways I think with hindsight maybe they should have swapped the driving cars once withdrawals started so that 2 out of the 3 non corridor vehicles had toilets; the "toilets in 2 cars" sets would have been numbered in the 3041xx (series 1) or 3042xx series (series 2). Not sure when withdrawals started but probably in early 1990s once 305s arrived from NSE and 310s in the West Midlands although there were always some 310s on the Birmingham locals...

[@antman09ful1]

Thank you for checking out this old video of mine, and your input about the units.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes thats right they did the Walsall run.

[@sidslick1]

Great video.

[@antman09ful1]

Thanks for watching this very old video.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I agree a shame,I remember traveling on one from Crewe to Carlisle on night and that was some ride.

[@jamesbraithwaite478]

They're exactly what ran on the line between Altrincham & Deansgate before Metrolink took over in 1990.

[@antman09ful1]

Amazing unit they were, so nice and warm in the winter James.

[@Isochest]

It's sad not one of these early AC EMUs has been preserved. They did have their own unique sounds and rides

[@antman09ful1]

That's very true mate, I do agree they had a great sound and the comfort was excellent and nice and warm in the winter.

[@Isochest]

@@antman09ful1 Thanks. I forgot about the powerful heaters that were a godsend in winter

[@None-zc5vg]

@@antman09ful1 Someone did try to preserve a "304" but the vandals finished it off, as they did with a mixed "100/105" two-car DMU that was a regular on my local line and which was intended for the NRM, I kid you not. It seems that there was very little official interest in preserving any of the old DMUs/EMUs, even before privatisation came along.

[@antman09ful1]

Glad you enjoyed my video.

[@MKTTransportVideos]

Beautiful units.

[@antman09ful1]

Such great units always nice and warm in the winter, thanks for taking a look at this old video.

[@antman09ful1]

Thank You for watching.

[@DowntheJunction]

God I miss these units, I'd love to ride one from Stoke to Longport again

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I remember them with them bouncy seats and heaters under the seats. I once travel on one from Crewe to Carlisle overnight. Thank you Simon for watching my video of these great old units.

[@antman09ful1]

It was on a very stormy night in about 1987.

[@danw1374]

No 310 units remain either, the last one was used for track testing up until about 2004 before being scrapped, its sad i agree.

[@MKTTransportVideos]

Fortunately half a 312 does survive.

[@anthonymcdonnell6615]

well at least you will be able to ride on a class 502 EMU And Class 503 both are being restored the class 502 EMU is at burscough and the 503 EMU at Hornby margate site

[@antman09ful1]

I agree with your comment.

[@Swifty11Productions]

Great video!! :)

[@chrishulse5305]

Those units could have gone on forever.

[@antman09ful1]

They were bloody great unit, I remember one night going from Crewe to Carlisle on one. Thanks for watching.

[@stephendines1936]

I seem to remember 304s on the LTS line but they were 4 car units.

[@antman09ful1]

Not sure if they worked on that line Stephen, think they were class 302's

[@jhclausen]

They were 308s. Very similar. They went to Leeds after the LTS.

[@stephendines1936]

antman09ful1 I worked on LTS line at Tilbury Riverside, we did have 304s but mostly 302s. The 302s had flat fronts.

[@paulconner9354]

@@stephendines1936we had 305s and 308s on the LTS that had identical cab fronts to the 304, except they didn’t have a guards van behind one of the cabs. 305/1s had the same large intermediate windows as the 304. Most of the later 305 and 308s were 4 car. Apparently a few 304s were loaned to the eastern region in the 60s to compensate for some unreliability issues with the 305s

[@Davo37609]

Hellfire real units !!

[@antman09ful1]

I called the hot bum units in the winter Ben.

[@Davo37609]

They had hellfire heating. No other units have had such good heating.

[@antman09ful1]

Sorry mate like the 154 photo.

[@joempoem478]

£2 for a mug!

[@antman09ful1]

OK.

[@malcolmgeorge1180]

They've have better seats

[@antman09ful1]

Oh yes a very good unit with proper seats. Thanks for taking a look Malcolm.

[@peterbuckley265]

WHERE WAS THE PUBLICTY, LITTLE OR NOWT IN THE MEDIA AND NOTHING IN LONDON. SO THROUGH THE RIFE INCOMPETENCE AND LAZINESS ENDEMIC OF THE USELESS UK, < SACK THESE INCOMPETENTS> MANY PEOPLE KNEW NOTHING OF THIS AND WERE FORCED TO MISS OUT. EOPLEO

[@antman09ful1]

Its been so long ago I can't remember, but thanks for watching Peter.