Class 309 Profile and Models

The British Rail Class 309 "Clacton Express" electric multiple units (EMUs) were built by British Rail (BR) York Carriage Works from 1962–1963. They were initially classified as Class AM9 before the introduction of TOPS. These units were the first express 25 kV alternating current (AC) units to be built by British Rail and were their first EMUs capable of 100 mph. When built, units were originally planned to be used on the Original Proposed East Coast Main Line Electrification Scheme, however, when this was abandoned the units were deployed on Great Eastern Main Line (GEML) express services from London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze (also marketed as the Sunshine Coast Line) which is what gained them the class nickname Clacton Express. In the 1970s many of the units were reformed. The two-car units were augmented to four-car units. After becoming redundant on the GEML seven units were quickly put to use on suburban passenger services from Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent in 1994. (Information provided via Wikipedia)
Type of Unit	Electric Multiple Unit
Builder	BR York Works
Build Dates	1962 to 1963
Total Built	24 sets
Coaches Per Unit	2, 3 or 4-car
Capacity	108 to 220 seats
Power Output	1,120hp
Top Speed	100 mph
Operated By	British Rail First North Western
Main Duties	Regional Passenger
In Service Until	2000
Surviving Examples	Some individual cars in preservation