Class 319
The class' chief claims to fame come from glamorous workings away from their normal territory - indeed from working outside of the UK. On 10 December 1993 units 319 008/09 operated a special train from Dollands Moor (Cheriton) to Coquelles (Calais) during the hand over of the Channel Tunnel from its contractors to its operators. Subsequently a 319 unit transported HM The Queen through the Channel Tunnel during the official opening ceremony. All 319 units were introduced in Network SouthEast livery. However during October 1994 the Thameslink shadow franchise introduced - it is believed contrary to a directive applied at the time of the shadow franchise process - a controversial new livery on some of their units consisting of a silhouette of the London skyline against a grey background. This was rapidly nicknamed the "graffiti" livery. Upon privatisation the 319 fleet was split between Thameslink and Connex South Central. |
Unit 319052 at Purley June 1996. The coach number is now on the dark blue at the base of the side, immediately to the left of the lamp post. Note that in this livery "Thameslink" was always to the left of the two symbols, even on the driving trailer at the other end of the unit. photograph by John Lewis |
| This unit was seen at St Pancras newly painted in the
"Graffitti" livery in April 1995. Note "Thameslink" now on
the ends of the unit in an italic style font and the unit number is in a
different font than in the NSE livery.
photograph by John Lewis |
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Close up of the Thameslink lettering on the side of unit 319051, Purley
March 1966.
photograph by John Lewis |
| Close up of the Thameslink "graffitti" symbol. The
grey of the coach side is used to symbolise buildings in silhouette, the shape
of St Paul's dome can be seen on the left, and to the right of it the
towers of Tower Bridge, with a City office block between.
photograph by John Lewis |
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The "graffitti" livery was applied to class 319/0 units starting
at 319030 and upwards, plus unit 319.022, seen here at Farringdon on 1 February
1997, looking towards Kings Cross. Note that this is the transition place
between the SR's 750 volts dc system and the 25kV system and the 3rd rail
(plus an earth return fourth rail) is present, as well as the overhead wiring.
photograph by John Lewis |
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This page was last updated 3 December 2002
