British Rail Class 325

British Rail Class 325
Three Class 325 units passing through Stafford in 2011
In service
  • Previous Operators:
  • 1996–21 September 2024
  • TBA:
  • Varamis Rail
ManufacturerABB Transportation
Built atDerby Litchurch Lane Works
Family nameBR Second Generation (Mark 3)
Constructed1995–1996
Number built16
Number scrapped10
Formation4 cars per unit:
DTV(A)-PMV-TAV-DTV(B)
Fleet numbers325001–325016
Capacity235 "York" trolleys
Owners
Operators
DepotCrewe IEMD
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Train length80.8 m (265 ft 1 in)
Car length
  • DT vehs.: 19.95 m (65 ft 5 in)
  • Others: 19.92 m (65 ft 4 in)
Width2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)
Height3.78 m (12 ft 5 in)
Maximum speed100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight
  • DTV vehs.: 29.1 t (28.6 LT; 32.1 ST)
  • PMV vehs.: 49.5 t (48.7 LT; 54.6 ST)
  • TAV vehs.: 30.7 t (30.2 LT; 33.8 ST)
  • Total: 138.4 t (136.2 LT; 152.6 ST)
Traction systemGTO thyristor
Traction motors4 × GEC G315BZ
Power output990 kW (1,330 hp)
Electric systems
Current collection
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: BREL P7
  • Unpowered: BREL T3-16
Braking systemElectro-pneumatic (disc)
Safety systems
Coupling systemDrop-head Buckeye
Multiple workingWithin class (up to 3 units total)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Data sourced from except where otherwise noted.

The British Rail Class 325 is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train owned by Royal Mail. The trains were operated from 1995 to 2024 for the Royal Mail to carry bulk mail. The class consists of four-car sets with dual-voltage 25 kV (AC) and 750 V (DC) power. While the Class 325 cabs bear a resemblance to the Networker family of DMUs and EMUs, the Class 325 is based on the Class 319.

History

Mockup of Class 325 cab

These units, which were ordered in 1994, were initially given the TOPS classification Class 350 which was changed to Class 325 before the trains entered service.

The 16 units were built at ABB Derby between 1995 and 1996. They are similar to Class 319 units, sharing the same traction equipment and body design, but are fitted with cabs of the same design as the ABB Networker family.

The units entered into service carrying parcels and mail from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh at 100 mph (160 km/h). They are based at Crewe IEMD – International Electric Maintenance Depot.

Operations

At launch, the trains were operated by British Rail's parcel service, Rail Express Systems (RES). With the Privatisation of British Rail operation was transferred to English Welsh & Scottish Railway. Such work continued alongside Class 86 locomotives up the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Main Line until 2003, when Royal Mail withdrew the postal contracts, resulting in decreasing use until the units entered storage following the end of work.

GBRf's contract expired in 2010. A new contract for Royal Mail operations, and responsibility for managing the Class 325 fleet, was won by DB Schenker. As of June 2010, seven trains were to be run a day, between London, Warrington and Glasgow via the West Coast Main Line, with capacity to be flexible as required. The sets can be worked together to make up four-, eight- or twelve-car trains.

In 2012, unit number 325010, which had been damaged and was stored as a source of spares for the rest of the fleet, had been scrapped.

On 14 June 2024, services from Low Fell to Willesden were withdrawn.

In July 2024, Royal Mail announced that it would stop moving mail by its own rail fleet in October 2024, citing cost grounds. It stated that “Royal Mail will continue to use rail services to transport mail across the country, however our own freight trains are at the end of their operational lives."

Fleet details

Class Operator Qty. Year built Cars per unit Unit nos.
325 Varamis Rail 6 1995–1996 4 325001–325002, 325005, 325011, 325014-325015
Scrapped 10 325003-325004 325006-325010, 325012-325013, 325016

Vehicle numbering

Individual vehicles are numbered in the ranges as follows:

DTV PMV TAV
68300–68331 68340–68355 68360–68375

DTV(A) vehicles take the even numbers from the DTV range, while DTV(B) vehicles take the odd numbers.

Illustration

Side-profile illustration of a Royal Mail Class 325 unit (without Royal Mail logos)

Named units

Some units received names:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Baker, John (October 2024). "A Baker's dozen
    Royal Mail '325s'". Fleet Focus. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1483. pp. 38–43.
  2. 1 2 3 Butlin, Ashley (May 2025). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 171, no. 1490. p. 79.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Marsden, C. J. (2007). "Class 325". Traction Recognition. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-0-7110-3277-4. OCLC 230804946. OL 16902750M.
  4. 1 2 Pickering, Graeme (August 2024). "Final delivery is made to the UK's last coal-fired power station". Freight. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1481. p. 81.
  5. 1 2 Werner, H.-G., ed. (November 2017). DB Cargo UK Class 325 EMU – Royal Mail (PDF). Doncaster: DB Cargo UK. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 Marsden, C. J., ed. (June–July 2010). "The All Time Guide to EMU Classifications" (PDF). Modern Locomotives Illustrated. No. 183. ISSN 1756-8188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Glasspool, D. "Class 325". Kent Rail. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Johnson, P. (2009). An Illustrated History of the Travelling Post Office. Hersham: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-86093-620-6. OCLC 310156483.
  9. ↑ "Royal Mail awards rail contract to DB Schenker". Doncaster: DB Schenker Rail (UK) Limited. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
  10. ↑ Pritchard, Robert (May 2012). "325 sent for scrap". Today's Railways. No. 125. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 69.
  11. 1 2 "Royal Mail to stop moving post by rail on cost grounds". Rail Magazine. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 "Class 325s go for scrap, but some will be available for sale". Network News. Rail Magazine. No. 1023. 27 November 2024. p. 6.
  13. ↑ Pritchard, Robert; Beardsley, Ian (February 2025). "Another 325 for scrap". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK. No. 276. p. 60.
  14. ↑ "'Networker' Fleet List". Modern Locomotives Illustrated. No. 223. February 2016. pp. 46–47.