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06/03/04
Unit 312718 standing at platform 10 London Liverpool Street with the 'Grand Slam' Charter. The train was formed of 8 coaches, units 312721 and 312718, the later of which, pictured here, would form the rear portion as far as the first stop, Southend Victoria. 06/03/04
06/03/04
The train arrives at it's first schedualed stop, Southend Victoria and is pictured standing next to 315842. The 312 looks vastly superior to the 315 which has a very displeasing and square front end. 06/03/04
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06/03/04
06/03/04
312721 stands at the buffers at Colchester Town during the 'Grand Slam' Tour. The unit is displaying Walton in the headcode box, the next stop being Walton on the Naze, this is interesting for me as I am from Walton-on-Thames... now I bet there has never been a 312 down there! 06/03/04
06/03/04
The two units 312721 (left) and 312718 (right) stand nose to nose at Colchester Town. Notice the different branding on the two units, 312721 being treated with 'First' text and logos. 06/03/04
06/03/04
The pair of units with 312718 leading wait for a passing service from Walton on the Naze at Kirkby Cross, a station at which trains crossing must be a very rare event! This is a nice overall view of both the units as they wait patiently at the station. 06/03/04
06/03/04
312718 stands at the buffers at Walton on the Naze just after 12:35
06/03/04
06/03/04
Another new meets old shot was provided at Clacton, where we had a whole hour to streatch our legs. Here unit 312721 stands alongside 321318, again looking vastly superior.
06/03/04
The interior of the trailor coach in 312721, minus enthusiasts. The internal layout is very good, with a nice shade of green on the seats and unobtrusive lighting
06/03/04
The two units nose to nose at Calcton. 312721 is nearest, with 312718 beyond it. The units were all prepared to a very good standard that day for the tour in connection with Heartfordshire Railtours, which I must commend for doing a very good and profetional job.
06/03/04
The other end of the trains features 312718 and 321314 outside the station building at Clacton. Clacton has a rarther nice station, signal box (still with NSE branding) and considerable area for stabling units.
06/03/04
The basic, but quite useable toilet facilities of the 312's, well actually just the sink (the other photo came out blury!). I find it strange that the instructions are in 4 languages, 2 of which are certinally not western, does First Great Eastern have a large chineese following? Some people say I'm sad... I'll let you draw your own conclusion!
06/03/04
312721's driving coach taken across the tracks as the unit paused at Colchester.
06/03/04
The trailer coach.
06/03/04
The motor Coach.
06/03/04
The other driving coach of unit 312721 during the Colchester stop.
06/03/04
From Colchester we traveled to Ipswich, where there was not time to disembark but few were bothered as the train windows provided great views of the frieghtliner yard, full to the brim with 86's! Following this we traversed the branch to Harwich Town, where 312721 here stands having it's destination blinds rolled on.
06/03/04
The train stands at the diminuative Harwich Town station. The station only sees 5-6 trains per day, and I cannot think of any reason why this many people would be here again for a long time. Incidentally on the tour the following week it rained the entire time the train was at Harwich Town.
06/03/04
A cab shot of 312718 taken through the window, it was open so I took the opertunity. From the picture it looks quite spacious, light and airy.
06/03/04
The full 8 car train stands at Harwich Town before working the return leg of the journey to London Liverpool Street.
06/03/04
A head on view of the front end of 312721 was possible at Harwich Town by stanidng on the concrete behind the buffers, unfortunatly there was a large pole for the catenary obscuring many photos. Note the Heartfordshire Railtours sticker in the center window.
06/03/04
312718 in the now fading light at Harwich Town ready to work the final leg of the railtour back to london, and carry many, many tired enthusiasts home.
06/03/04
On the return to Liverpool Street there was one further pathing stop for an Anglia train to pass. I took the opertunity to get a few last daylight shots of the 312's, here the light of the train are shown well, the headcode box has been painted very crudely!
06/03/04
312721's tail lights on the rear of the train are far less impressive. Unfortunatly I cannot remember where this pathing stop was for sure, though my leaflet suggests it is likely to have been Witham.
06/03/04
London Liverpool Street, the journeys end. the last tired passengers wander away from the train, to leave just a few desperate soles to photo it.
06/03/04
Finally, now all the passengers have left I got my opertunity to photo the first class section, it looks very luxurious, and very dated! It beats the advantage of first class on modern trains by far.
06/03/04
312718 stands at the end of the platform prior to leaving for Ilford EMU Depot. Behind the 312 is one of First Great Easterns class 360 desiros which have replaced the 312's.
06/03/04
One final shot of 312721, which I had traveled in for the day. This was my first and last trip on 312's, and I knew I would be unlikely to see them again. The final Class 312 service was on 25th June 2004 and was the 17:50 Liverpool St - Witham, formed of 312018/21/23, unfortunatly I could not be there to mark the occasion.
06/03/04
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