new Southern Electric Group logo

Class 313s come to Southern

20 Class 313s were displaced by the introduction of London Overground Class 378 units and were transferred to Southern. The units have began to replace Class 377/3 units on East and West Coastway services from Brighton. The decision to replace the units has been controversial, as the Class 377s are much newer than the Class 313s and have more on-board passenger facilities. They also lack toilets, but as the units will only be used on short journeys, this should not be a major problem. On the plus side, there are at least 20 extra seats available compared to the Class 377s.

The Class 313 trains are being overhauled and repainted at Wolverton works. The refurbishment includes the standard items of a refurbishment such as new flooring, new seating, improved disabled space and the fitting of a Passenger Information System.

Unit 313206 was released from Wolverton Works on 14th April 2010 in Southern livery with Coastway branding, with other units following shortly afterwards.

The Class 313s commenced operations on 23rd May 2010, providing a 2 trains-per-hour service between Brighton and Seaford, as well as selected trains between Brighton and Lewes, Hove, West Worthing and Littlehampton.

We start off the feature with some test runs in their former London Overground livery.

313108 on test through Falmer

Unit 313108 did a test run from Brighton to Brighton via Haywards Heath, Newhaven and Falmer on 14th December 2009.
Above is a picture of the unit running between Falmer and Lewes.

photograph by Chris Livings

313109 with 313108 on a test run on 03/02/2010

313109 with 313108 on a test run on 3rd February 2010

photograph by Chris Livings

313108 with 313109 at Lovers Walk depot, Brighton

2 days later, 313108, with 313109 behind it, were captured stabled at Lovers Walk depot, Brighton.

photograph by Andy Robertson