Class 304 Profile and Models

Class 304

304031 at Levenshulme circa 1983. ©pdc666

The British Rail Class 304 (Originally classed as AM4) were AC electric multiple units designed and produced at British Rail's (BR) Wolverton Works. The Class 304 was produced for BR's new electric suburban services, enabled by the first phases of the West Coast Main Line electrification between Crewe and Manchester/Liverpool/Rugby. The units conformed to the 1959-design for alternating current (AC) electrical multiple units, and were externally very similar to the Class 305, Class 308 and the 1,200 V direct current (DC) Class 504 units. Following their introduction during the early 1960s, the Class 304 could be found in operation across the southern and Midland section of the West Coast Main Line. Midway through their service life, the units were reclassified as the Class 304 under the TOPS numbering system. The fleet was withdrawn from service during the early to mid 90s, largely due to the arrival of cascaded rolling stock such as the Class 305/2 units and new Class 323 units. Despite efforts to do so, no units survived into preservation, all examples being eventually scrapped.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Unit

Electric Multiple Unit

Builder

BR Wolverton Works

Build Dates

1960 to 1961

Total Built

45 sets

Coaches Per Unit

3 or 4-car

Capacity

236 to 337 seats

Power Output

830hp

Top Speed

75 mph

Operated By

British Rail

Main Duties

Local Passenger

In Service Until

1996

Surviving Examples

0

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) DC Kits No image available Requires assembly Not set DC304
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Class 304 London Midland Region 25Kv Multiple Unit (4 Car Unit) kit Awaiting Categorisation