The 317’s were delivered From Jan 81 for driver training on the recently electrified Bedford-Luton section of the Midland main line. The 48 unit build was unusual in that the TC vehicles were built at BREL Derby the remaining DTS/MS cars being built at York.

A prolonged driver only opertating issue (DOO) led to many of the units being stored out of use pending settlement of the DOO issue. This led to several 317’s being stored away from the wires, Nottingham being one example after despatch from the BREL works at York. The Ayr electrification announcement also saw a brief visit by 2 of the class North of the border.

Before turning a wheel in public use 317 301 running with 317 325 was used for driver training. Whilst stabled at Cricklewood a light engine move (class 45) was sent down an occupied siding rather than a clear siding, the 45 colliding heavily with the 8 car 317, sometime in 1982 we think.

For various reasons most of the collision force was absorbed and transferred to the inner end of DTS 77048 . The original formation was 77000 62661 71577 77048 (301) and 77024 62685 71601 77072 (325) 77048 was cut up into 3 bits (first cut behind cab,2nd cut where doors are,3rd cut at next set of doors) stripped of all useable bits and then disposed of.

Meanwhile all the bits were sent to Wolverton where a replacement 77048 was constructed.
In order to provide a serviceable unit (325) ran with 77000 62685 71601 77072 and (301) was 77024 62661 71577 and waiting the new dts to arrive was shunted out of the way. When the new DTS did arrive no further reformations took place 317 301 and 325 still running like this today as 317 501 and 317 883.

Eventual introduction came with the dispute settled and the 317’s entered full service on 110783. It is likely that 317301’s rebuilding delayed her introduction on the "Bedpan" services by a few months.

In 1988 the new Thameslink through services South of the river saw 319’s introduced and force the 317’s off the Midland onto the WCML.. In 1988/9 the 317’s killed off the majority of our trusty 310 units on NSE services from Birmingham/M.Keynes-Euston. However they too were cascaded away from the WCML from April 89 onwards to the Eastern (Ilford and East Ham) as 321 units arrived from York. The DOO camera’s and screens installed in the late 80’s at stations like Leighton and never ever used were allegedly designed for use with 317’s rather than 321’s.

So 317301 after a bit of a "false start" can claim to have worked out of St Pancras, Euston, Kings X, Liverpool St and Fenchurch St in her 28 year career, will she also serve Paddington when electrified to Reading?

1707 Euston-M.Keynes 150488

0717 Bedford-Moorgate 171102

1325 Liverpool St-Stansted Airport 240608. as her current 317501 guise….

317501 can still stray from National Express East Anglia workings in 2009 as the class regularly visit Wolverton Works , for car 77048 this really is returning home?

317301 still has a few unanswered questions…..Does 77048 carry any "built at Wolverton " plates? And can anybody advise on the date and peak involved in that rough shunt at Cricklewood…

317301 phot spot…., shunt damage views courtesy of R.Morel collection, 317801 view from Mark Beal

A front end view of a short lived original M 77048

Damage close up ..1

Damage close up..2

And here’s classmate 317303 literally in her WCML sunset days locally at Northampton Riverside sidings on 250488.

In her current guise of 317501 and in Nat ex livery she is photted by "MB" at Tootenham Hale on 1325 Liverpool St-Stansted Airport 130608

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