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Introduction

The Class 320 units arrived in Scotland in 1990.

Operations

Scotrail operate a fleet of 34 Class 320 units. Although based at Shields Depot, south of the River Clyde, they operate on the North Clyde Line and Argyle Line routes via Glasgow Queen Street (Balloch/Dalmuir to Springburn/Cumbernauld/Airdrie) and via Glasgow Central (Dalmuir/Milngavie to Larkhall/Motherwell/Cumbernauld), and also on Glasgow Central High Level to Lanark services as well as Glasgow Central High Level to Newton and Cathcart Circle services.

Originally Class 320's did not run on the Argyle line with the exception of ECS workings to/from Shields ETD, however following the cascade of the Class 334's to the Airdrie - Bathgate line in 2011 they commenced operation on Argyle Line passenger services. They are now regularly paired with Class 318 units on both the North Clyde and Argyle line services.

Modifications/Overhauls

The Class 320 fleet was fitted with yaw dampers during 2010 to permit the maximum speed to be increased from 75mph to 90mph.

Between June 2011 and October 2013, the Class 320 fleet was overhauled at Doncaster Wabtec, which included the fitting of toilets and a repaint into ScotRail Saltire blue livery.

In March 2017, it was announced that the Class 320/3 fleet will be refurbished at Knorr-Bremse Rail Services at Springburn from October 2017. The work will include a full internal refurbishment, including the replacement of flooring, tables and seat covers, the installation of power sockets and a space for bicycles.

The first to receive refurbishment was 320315, which was moved to Knorr-Bremse Works Springburn on 14/10/17 by ROG 37884 (removing the need for translators due to its coupler adapter).

Services

The Class 320s currently work on the North Clyde electric services between Balloch/Dalmuir and Springburn/Cumbernauld/Airdrie and the Argyle Line between Dalmuir/Milngavie and Larkhall/Motherwell/Cumbernauld, as well as Glasgow Central High Level to Lanark services.

Prior to the re-opening of Airdrie-Bathgate, the Class 320s worked only on services on the North Clyde line from Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie in the west to Springburn and Airdrie in the east.

Class 320/4

Seven former London Midland Class 321/4 units were transferred to ScotRail during 2016. The units were reduced from 4-car to 3-car sets by removal of the TSOL trailer vehicle, and were reclassified and renumbered into the 3204xx series. Work was done at Doncaster Wabtec works.

Initially, the first three units (320411, 320412 and 320416) retained London Midland livery and remain unrefurbished when entered passenger service in March 2016.

The first fully refurbished Class 320/4 unit in full ScotRail blue livery was 320415 and entered passenger service on 15th August 2016. All 7 Class 320/4 units were completed in January 2017, with 320416 being the last to be refurbished.

The Class 320/4 units operate on the Argyle Line between Dalmuir/Milngavie and Larkhall/Motherwell/Cumbernauld, as well as Glasgow Central High Level to Lanark services. From December 2016, Class 320/4 units began to operate on the North Clyde Line and some Cathcart Circle and Newton services.

Detailed Conversion History - The First Batch

The first conversion, 321411 moved to Doncaster Wabtec on 06/07/15. Renumbered as 320411, but still in London Midland livery, the 3-car unit it ran to Glasgow Shields Depot on 20/01/2016. Entered passenger service on 19th March 2016. Returned to Doncaster Wabtec for refurbishment and re-livery on 27/06/2016. It received the full Scotrail blue livery and was transferred back to Glasgow Shields Depot on 10/11/16.

321412/416 transferred to Doncaster Wabtec on 05/09/15 in preparation for transfer to Scotrail
321412 renumbered as 320412, but still in London Midland livery, the 3-car unit it ran to Glasgow Shields Depot on 02/03/2016.

320412 returned to Doncaster Wabtec for refurbishment and relivery on 14/07/16, but only got as far as York Holgate Sidings. It ran forward to Doncaster the following day on 15/07/16. It received the full Scotrail blue livery and was transferred back to Glasgow Shields Depot on 19/10/16. Entered passenger service on 7th November 2016.

321416 renumbered as 320416, but still in London Midland livery, the 3-car unit it ran to Glasgow Shields Depot on 18/03/2016. 320416 held the livery the longest of all units until it ran back to Doncaster Wabtec for refurbishment and relivery on 11/11/16. It received the full Scotrail blue livery and was transferred back to Glasgow Shields Depot on 18/01/2016 and re-entered passenger service by 20th January 2017.

321414/415 transferred to Ilford on 19/09/15, on temporary loan to London Overground
321415 transferred to Doncaster Wabtec on 04/02/16, to be converted to 320/4

321415 was renumbered to 320415 and received the full ScotRail blue livery. Transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 10/06/2016. Entered passenger service on 15th August 2016.

321413/417 transferred to Wolverton Works on 20/09/15.
321417 then went on loan to London Overground based at Ilford on 24/12/15.
321417 went to Doncaster Wabtec on 02/03/16 to be converted to 320/4.

321414 went to Doncaster Wabtec on 31/03/16 to be converted to 320/4.
321413/417 transferred to Wolverton Works on 20/09/15. 321413 then went on loan to London Overground based at Ilford on 21/09/15. 321413 went to Doncaster Wabtec on 11/03/16 to be converted to 320/4.

321417 was renumbered 320417 and recieved the full ScotRail blue livery. Transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 29/07/2016. Entered passenger service on 17th August 2016.

321413 was renumbered to 320413 and received the full ScotRail blue livery. Transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 07/09/2016

321414 was renumbered to 320414 and received the full ScotRail blue Livery. Transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 05/10/2016

Additional Class 320/4 units

It has been announced by Transport Scotland on 6th November 2017 that five additional Class 321 units were to be converted to Class 320/4, bringing the total Class 320/4 fleet to 12 units. Units 321401, 321403, 321404, 321418 and 321420 were chosen for conversion. This time conversion work took place at Wabtec Kilmarnock.

The first unit in the second batch, 320404, was delivered to Shields Road TMD on 8th August 2018 and entered passenger service shortly after.

Conversion of five additional units were completed in April 2019, when the final unit, 320418 was delivered to Shields Road TMD.

Detailed Conversion History - The Second Batch

321404 was sent to Wabtec Kilmarnock on 18/10/2017. It was released as 320404 and was transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 08/08/2018. Entered service shortly after.

321401 was sent to Wabtec Kilmarnock on 27/03/2018. It was released as 320401 and was transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 27/10/2018. Entered service shortly after.

321403 was sent to Wabtec Kilmarnock on 08/10/2018. It was released as 320403 and was transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 12/02/2019. It had entered service by 26/02/2019.

321418 was sent to Wabtec Kilmarnock on 16/11/2018. It was released as 320418 and was transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 16/04/2019. It has since entered service.

321420 was sent to Wabtec Kilmarnock on 11/07/2018. It was released as 320420 and was transferred to Glasgow Shields Depot on 07/12/2018. Entered service on 04/01/2019.

See Also

Internal Links

• Class 320 Formations
• Class 320 Overhaul 2020-2021
• Class 320 Overhaul
• Class 320 Overhaul 2011-2013
• Class 320 3 Diagrams SX
• Class 320 4 Diagrams SX
• Class 320 Photo Album

External Links

• Wikipedia Class 320 page