The Elizabeth Line's 40 Year Old Trains! Class 315 Review - Crossrail’s Shenfield Branch

[@chm0225]

As someone from Hong Kong where many of our rolling stocks that are still in use today were manufactured by Metro Cammell, I have to say the motor sound of this Class 315 resembles the one on our first-generation KCR EMU, which was introduced back in 1982 but has sadly recently been phased out. Our batch of trains were operated in a more metro-style service with lots of stopping (10+ stations along 46km of tracks), which may explain the tear and wear they sustained over the years

[@pmk2000]

i miss the KCR EMU - British style and quality, classic motor sound. I intended to take the Class 318 on ScotRail when i visited Glasgow. Btw, I also visited twice for the 1938ts on the Isle of Wight Railway, in summer 2014 and late 2019, they are remarkable.

[@forestllwong4789]

Agree, give me back my KCR-EMU. It's been immortalised with the legacy of the KCR and later the east rail line...

[@chm0225]

@ProfTheWood seems that MTR (the current operator of ex-KCR lines starting from 2007) is planning to preserve 1-2 of the leading cars of the rolling stocks. In fact, if you’re interested, you can search online and would be amazed to see the preservation of a KCR 3-car, pre-mid-life-refurbished rolling stock set. The look of that set actually resembles the BR-era design. Meanwhile, some GM diesel locomotives are preserved and now in museum as display

[@JKK_85]

Interestingly TFL has actually contracted MTR to run the Elizabeth line so they're both run by the same operator.

[@somax1259]

im pretty sure most of the PEP family of trains (including the class 315) sound like that aswell

[@iman2341]

TfL really has taken care of these old units extremely well looking at their condition.

[@mattwatkins8750]

I used to travel on these from 2010, when (not so) Greater Anglia controlled them. They were dirty and constantly broke down, especially in winter. When TFL rail took over (around 2015 I think) and refurbished the trains there was a huge difference both in comfort, cleanliness and even how the ride felt on journeys.

[@michaeltajfel]

Since the Elizabeth line opened on 24 May, the Liverpool Street - Shenfield off peak frequency has been 7/8 minutes, except on Sundays. This can in fact be seen on the Shenfield display in the video.

[@stopthetories]

Worked on the 315s at Ilford Car Sheds and at Southend Victoria. Simple, reliable, work horses but not very comfortable and the heating systems are prone to failure. Carriage designations are DMS1-PTS-ATS-DMS2

[@rdw1970]

As someone who used to commute during the morning rush hour from Brentwood to Liv St, I can't say I missed these trains when they were finally replaced. They just weren't designed for modern day commuting and you felt crammed in even if you got a seat. Probably would have been better if they had banks of 4 seats on each side. The trains were usually packed by Romford and I saw frequent rows between commuters by the time the train got to Ilford. They look nice for their time though.

[@gdwnet]

I never had an issue. Mind you, I always go to the back of the train. Everyone squeezes in the front few carriages because they are idiots.

[@simplesimon2802]

The overcrowding problem was exasperated by timetable changes that reduced the number of trains which ran in the rush hours. Another problem was that deskbound pen pushers had demanded changes to the signalling system which increased the gap between the trains, causing a reduction in actual number of trains that could be run. This was even though the system had operated for several decades in perfect safety. I live in Ilford, in the 1980s we had 22 rush hour trains an hour but nowadays there are only something like 15 trains in the busiest part of the evening rush hour. The best way to solve the overcrowding issue at Ilford (and make life easier for passengers joining trains at Manor Park, Forest Gate and Maryland) is to start trains from the bay platform at Ilford and run some other trains non-stop. But the boffins closed this platform for the longer Class 345 trains, claiming that the required platform extension for the longer trains would be in the way. I do not believe them ... I see them as having a 'cant do' attitude.

[@gdwnet]

@@simplesimon2802 _I live in Ilford, in the 1980s we had 22 rush hour trains an hour_ Yeah, I was commuting from Ilford/Manor Park from 1992 to 2007 before I moved. I still do a very occasional liverpool st to stratford run.

[@lbautosandrails]

The 315s are going soon. I like the Class 315. The Class 345 is one of my favourite trains. I love your content :) !

[@lmlmd2714]

ah, memories.... use to ride these a lot into Liverpool Street from Harold Wood when I lived in London, though often times found it better to go to Upminster, then pick up a fast train into Fenchurch Street. Another trick was to backtrack to Shenfield, and take a fast train from there. The all-stop service was slow, and in summer, unbearably sweaty. Other than cheaping out on the no air-con, they were nice enough trains though - I liked the low backed, facing seating... felt way more open than the airline style stuff you get on newer trains, and you could face the person you were travelling with which was a nice social touch.

[@sxnnyfn2751]

I live in Harold wood now and go into Farringdon. It’s not worth backtracking to shenfield anymore since both trains take 35 minutes to get to Liverpool Street! How times change

[@JohnTaylor-bf6ll]

Well, that was the rolling stock long used by Anglia on its London suburban lines, so I assume it was simply handed over to tfl when tfl took over the Shenfield line. However, it does look as though it's had a refit.

[@Rheilffordd]

I’ve just discovered this video, watched it all, and discovered all your other videos too! I really enjoyed this, your video is one of very few on KZbin that narrate and explain a route and the train one is travelling on in a relaxing and straightforward way. Well done, have liked and subscribed, look forward to more!

[@numberIII-tc3im]

class 315s are in such a good condition that they deserve a second life. they don't deserve to die at all. English trains are so good because they are so expensive, and the money is well worth it.

[@petermartin3818]

The 'Shenfield Shark' is a throwback to when Ballast trains had them in the consist, and were originally designed as a ballast spreader, and not a brake van. This example survives because it was taken out of service due for maintenance in the late 90s, the exact date escapes from memory but it has been there ever since and has become a local land mark with many people left wondering what it is! The 315's were a product of the British Rail design ethos for an inner suburban high density low roof EMU based on the 313 GN inner suburban units, which were the first to use dual voltage - either 25kv overhead or cam contactor operated 750 vdc 3rd rail. This resulted in production of 30 units of 314 - a 3 car variant of a 315 for ScotRail, 507, 508 for Southern and latterly Mersey Rail. The 315 class totalled 61x4 car units construction at York, and shared the first thyristor controlled electronic equipment between Brush and GEC. Units 801-841 being Brush equipped, 842-861 being GEC. The Brush units had an unfortunate design problem which persisted for many years, where the electronics was basically cooked in its own oven by heat generated from various sources, took many years to sort out, and only finally cured by a total equipment upgrade later in their life. History moves on and salute the efforts of the 315 group in conserving one. As time goes on, the preservation heritage movement looks to the future when the first Stadler 700 type gets preserved! There is much thought provoking with the fact that, if Crich can do it for the electric tram, who can do it for the electric train? Hmmm.....

[@TheoDubs8692]

I remember these back in the 90s when they wore NSE "toothpaste" livery, and later FGE livery with the green and grey swooshes on the ends. They have certainly stood the test of time well! Clearly they are well maintained and kept very presentable (even if the more recent liveries have been on the bland side). They are basic but, I think that is probably one of the reasons they have lasted so long - there really isn't that much to go wrong with them! Now I think about it, the class 317s are almost as old as these! The 321s have been around a while too! People used to bash BR at every opportunity when they were around but, for all their faults, they did produce some sturdy and enduring locos/units in their time.

[@emjackson2289]

Red stripe, blue stripe, three stripe white . . . .

[@andrewbutler6477]

Good to see the old timers still in service like the valley lines around Cardiff which are still operated by the old sprinter units which are now 35 years old but still a good old workhorse

[@emjackson2289]

Around Newcastle there's a stack of Sprinter units running from Northern Rail and ScotRail. I'd not fancy needing a 2- or 3-car Sprinter from Newcastle Central to Dumfries though!

[@mikesurry1832]

I'm a wheelchair user, I was put on a 315 end of May 2022 at Romford (Not in the Wheelchair Carriage) got to Shenfield and I could not get off as they only had a ramp for the 315 wheelchair carriage door not any other door ? Eventually after several staff members and managers authority I used a ramp for the 321 very dangerous but I made it.... They was not expecting 315 at that point having removed ramps for it and the cowboys at Romford who put me on wherever they fancied didn't help.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

I started in the in the big wide world of work with BREL and worked on the Class 315 project.

[@AllTheTrainspotting]

And I thought I saw the last of these trains in my latest video... well caught! I wonder if we can still ride on it in June/July...

[@acehole7147]

Yes they are still going, saw one waiting to head out of Liv St today evening, around 6:15. Think they are in use until the Elizabeth line connects fully

[@jacksugden8190]

Most have gone for scrap, except one went for preservation, the in-unit will be fully restored to BR Network Rail condition.

[@waleedarif6740]

At least the last Class 315s have gone at a good time. At least in my opinion they have not been treated with the same disrespect like the 309s and my favourite, 312s were treated with when they got phased out being underaged back in the naughties.

[@simplesimon2802]

I liked the trains that came before these - the LNER designed Class 306!

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video. ☺️

[@khalidmehmood41]

Hey Haaziq, AOA, This tayya abbu like yor chanle keep it up

[@dan27032]

Less than a minute in but just want to point out Liverpool St - Shenfield has been a thing for as long as 315s have existed. So the line isn't "new" it's just been chosen as a part of the Crossrail network

[@stuarttupp3541]

These remind me of the Class 455s that I caught from Waterloo to Staines. They are incredibly basic and the seats are uncomfortable. But they're such simple trains that they just keep going and going.

[@fkl770]

aha from Liverpool that train is very similar to our merseyrail trains (class 507/508) heavy bunch of trains i love the sound of them!

[@thisis_mudchute]

10:36 another reason the 315s cant go in the core is because the platform edge doors wont align with the train doors

[@nixcails]

Technically isn't the Paddington -Reading/Heathrow and Liverpool Street - Shenfield still TfL Rail rather than Elizabeth Line and only becomes the Elizabeth Line when connected up. I have to say the longevity of the Class 315's (and their cousins on the Sussex Coastway [313's] and Merseyrail [507/508]) is a testament to the good design and maintenance. Especially as popular belief is that Great Britain didn't make reliable things in the 1970/80.

[@OMtheRails]

Nope - became part of the Elizabeth Line when the Core section opened, as has always been the plan (albeit with all the 315s replaced) - indeed it is rather amazing, especially as they were all meant to have been scrapped over 4 years ago!

[@nixcails]

@@OMtheRails thanks for updating me. My understanding was the Elizabeth Line was just Paddington to Abbey Wood and the East and West sections hadn't been rebranded. I was last up their in February when the 345's were still branded TfL Rail from LHR - PAD.

[@nigelfoster6151]

​@@nixcails TFL branding was removed from the remaining 315s

[@WILD4X4D]

Being a Quebecer, Bombardiers fall from grace hurts especially hard.

[@ChoobChoob]

The London Overground and TfL Rail 315s (and LO 317s) felt like we lived in an alternate universe where London's suburban railways were always operated by TfL (or LT).

[@c0wqu3u31at3r]

Be great if that happened to all the metro services in London

[@shacarioking5149]

I'm lucky the 315s still exist

[@lewisculverwellvlogs9789]

The Class 315s will be retired and withdrawn and sent for scrap at Newport and Rotherham hauled by Class 37 and Class 57 Locomotives in November 2022 when the Shenfield services are extended from Stratford under the tunnel to Paddington

[@bobingabout]

8:46 hey look, it's a Class 08!

[@uchiajason]

Does anyone know whats happening with the platforms at liverpool st once the elizabeth line runs through the core?

[@OMtheRails]

Used for Gidea Park rush hour services and the usual c2c diverts/Saturday workings

[@uchiajason]

@@OMtheRails do forgive i think you mentioned this in the video! Thanks for answering

[@thisis_mudchute]

they will be used for limited services that terminate at hogh-level platforms in peak times (most will still go to low-level) and on weekends, the 2tph c2c service uses those platforms

[@uchiajason]

@@thisis_mudchute thanks, i believe this stock is no longer used?

[@thisis_mudchute]

@@uchiajason this stock hasnt been used aince 6 november 2022 but 345 trains still go to high level occasionally, and i forgot to mention before, this also applies at paddington

[@romeomarks8344]

It’s a great connection it makes it faster that’s the only difference otherwise the train looks exactly the same as Sheffield ones

[@goatgamer001]

The 315 entered service in 1980 and it's coach length is 19.80m lol

[@goatyperson]

Do you prefer old trains or new trends

[@johnthedummy]

Could you make Merseyrail's 40 year old trains? class 508's and 507's ??? could be very nice

[@mineclonergamer8193]

no air conditioning, but it's too cold ❄️ in winter. In summer is useful

[@andyc3088]

One point if you put text up can you keep up longer?

[@westyham1]

Why are they using this old rolling stock?

[@downonthestour]

Best trains these are 😉 Great video midland 👍

[@sullacicero2610]

Most people wouldn’t have known Shenfield before the Elizebeth line. I use the line every day. The real issue is at Paddington.

[@stpguy123]

Waterloo Line is the shortest not Upminster to Romford but it is one of shortest

[@yeahman70]

I thought TfL Rail put them all out of service?

[@JM-tc3hk]

Will these trains be displaced elsewhere in the U.K.?

[@CPTrains]

They will be scrapped, too old to be used elsewhere.

[@harryelliott4310]

Elizabeth Line

[@Martindyna]

Interesting video but a shame you didn't appear to sit in a motor coach so we could hear the traction motors. You walked through the pantograph car and the transformer hum was evident. Alot of people like the sounds these older trains make, certainly people didn't appear to avoid the loud Class 319 motor coaches.

[@moriturama96]

what did the in-carriage announcement say the operator were?

[@OMtheRails]

They haven’t stated the TOC since the transfer to TfL in 2015 (as with most GA stock anyways), but as it says in the video, this was recorded as TfL Rail a few months before the Elizabeth Line transfer, with a few shots post transfer 😁

[@jacobporrett]

Excelent mate

[@jamesmcleod738]

Presumably these will be withdrawn at some point. Do you know if any Class 315s will be preserved?

[@silenthunteruk]

There is a preservation society hoping to preserve one, but there are questions on how competent they are.

[@TheAmtrakSpartan]

Is class 345 trains go on Liverpool street to shenfield?

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Yes

[@flrasp]

im pretty sure merseyrail use those but without the overhead wires

[@davidemmott6225]

very similar but I think a few technical details are different. Also Merseyrail ones have been reconfigured with a different seat layout.

[@thisis_mudchute]

they use 507/508, these are 315s, mostly similar but several differences

[@unknownartist7204]

wait the 315s are still around?

[@OMtheRails]

Indeed they are - used on weekday peaks between LST and Shenfield, although only one pair is out now.

[@ashleyjiscool]

I would say they er a lot more comfortable then the 465 and a little more then the 317/321

[@c0wqu3u31at3r]

Mad these are every 10 minutes off peak whereas where I am in SE London we barely get 2 trains an hour

[@silenthunteruk]

I generally tried to get 321s or 360s when I could; not my favourite units, especially with no air conditioning.

[@generalfilms9947]

I will miss these trains

[@matthewalbery8827]

hmm, its a brake van not a wagon. Sorry had to point that out.

[@SSS92934]

What app do you use for the speed?

[@OMtheRails]

Speedmeter- available on the app store but not sure about Android/Google Play 👍

[@Gideonsmythe]

The 315s weren't the best, the 306s they replaced were far better suited to the Great Eastern "Electric Lines" as they used to be called.

[@TonyBanks21]

I thought these trains had all now been retired ??

[@OMtheRails]

Still in service, but can be withdrawn anytime between September 2022 and April 2023.

[@ccjelley2390]

I prefer them - the air conditioning on the new units is not very pleasant

[@damiagunbiade]

These trains will remain for now. However they won't be here for long so better go and have a ride before they disappear later this year or earlier next year. When all Class 345s are 9 carriages these will disappear.

[@OMtheRails]

There are only 2 7 cars left, both of which have been redeployed to the Great Western Main Line. As for 315 withdrawal, it can be anytime between September and April next year, so will be interesting to see when it happens!

[@r00tyschannel52]

I don't know for sure about that. For certain they can't run them beyond Liverpool Street, or into the crossrail tunnel section at all. But they will possibly be used on the Gidea Park to Liverpool Street services running into the main line terminus.

[@michaeld5888]

Most Anglian stuff has been hand me downs from other regions. The cable run down the side of the trains I last used which gave feet nowhere to go was irritating coupled with the ridiculously crammed 5 across seating. Great not to have to use the railways any more. I used to absolutely love European train travel but that is in an entirely different league. The days of the 45 minute run in to Liverpool Street from Kelevedon on a comfortable class 309 are long gone. The slow 100 mph maximum rail here in the underfunded backward regions East of the 'East' coast main line rail is more for use as dire necessity than pleasure nowadays.

[@JohnPlayz22]

Well Class 315 is still in service

[@rg6427]

it’s terrible that the Elizabeth line still doesn’t have working wifi or mobile network… literally been taking the jubilee instead. Defiantly not a good launch

[@jahidk123]

Only 3 left

[@FMMPFansClub]

Similar to Hong Kong MTR East Rail Line MLR Train retire.

[@robtyman4281]

Only the UK would make such a noise about a brand new line, then use 40 year old trains to serve on part of it. And we wonder why people laugh at us?!

[@pharrellshek9679]

Farewell Class 315 ;(

[@mister_M.]

So it doesn’t go into the tunnel. It’s not a new train. And it’s not updated in any way. Also it doesn’t go all the way thru to central London or west. So basically they’ve added a new train on to the timetable that goes from shenfield to London Liv st. GREAT SUCCESS 20 years in the making top job government. Nice

[@andrewreynolds4949]

This is only on select services. It will change in September or October I think when the next phase is supposed to open.

[@pokeboi5438]

And they’re gone now 😔

[@kk-transport]

No wonder why it's unbranded

[@OJR5]

I hung it on me wall

[@DavidSmith-xf7fu]

In this age of no cash why replace/scrap trains for the sake of minimal improvements, these trains owe you nothing and do exactly what it says on the tin..? Ask people if they mind paying more to finance fancy new stock or keep the perfectly serviceable old stock and save cash..!!

[@JanekValgepea]

I hope these trains will eventually be replaced this year? They’re unbearable.

[@jaymarlon7460]

No it doesn’t every train should have toilets

[@spdfatomicstructure]

The Class 315s are being used similarly to tube trains though

[@Ozymandi_as]

If trains have a very high turnover of passengers, and are being used in a metro service pattern, I imagine it becomes very difficult to keep on-board toilets in service, and in a sanitary condition. The Elizabeth Line is not really intended for long journeys, so I think it's reasonable to ask people to manage their personal comfort accordingly.

[@nigelfoster6151]

​@@Ozymandi_as Pré covid, the 315s were jam packed as far as Ilford at rush hours

[@Ozymandi_as]

@@nigelfoster6151 .... and?

[@nigelfoster6151]

@@Ozymandi_as and what?

[@morzee94]

I normally have some affection for older rolling stock, but I’ve never liked the class 315. It’s just dull and outdated.

[@johnhagen31]

Narrative sounds flat and boring. Can't listen to it any more.

[@disappointingmarbleraces9028]

Ok and what else?

[@ozbolli]

Were these previously Mersey Rail stock?

[@thisis_mudchute]

this is a class 315 that uses a pantograph for electricity, merseyrail had 507s and 508s which used third rails, sinilar but has some differences

[@ozbolli]

@@thisis_mudchute thanks mate