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I wonder if I could claim a first. This SPT/Scotrail class 334 was on its way from Adtranz Derby to Glasgow as one of the first two to be delivered in August 1999 without interior fittings, intended for acceptance trials and driver training. The convoy halted in Carstairs for two hours, hauled by Railfreight Distribution 47 348 St Christopher’s Nursing Home. The pic was taken from 1O12 Virgin Crosscountry’s 0650 service from Edinburgh to Southampton via Glasgow Central; it is possibly the first picture of the carmel-and-cream unit taken in Scotland. I think the unit number was actually 334 002 but I’m not entirely sure. The Porterbrooke ‘buffer’ coaches (yes, easily confused with the Scotrail Caledonian Sleepers) at either end contains the electrical circuits required to work the electro-pneumatic brakes (EPBs) fitted to these EMUs, aside from acting as a adapter-coupler. The ETH circuit on the loco supplies the necessary current to release the EPBs with the panto lowered. In this configuration the unit is permitted to be ‘dragged’ through non-electrified territory and has a maximum permitted ‘dragging’ speed of 100mph, although the class 47 is nominally limited to 95mph. This photo by Alex Lu was brought to you by Lexcie Corporation Edinburgh (http://www.lexcie.zetnet.co.uk) lexcie@innocent.com (0131) 558-8585.

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334 004 passing through Bowling with a service to Airdrie. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 8th April, 2005.

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334 005 departing from Bellgrove with a service to Balloch. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Monday, 26th September, 2005.

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334 006 at Wemyss Bay, having just arrived with a service from Glasgow Central. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 22nd April, 2005.

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334 007 at Wemyss Bay, having just arrived with a service from Glasgow Central. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 22nd July, 2005.

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334 009 at Wemyss Bay, having just arrived with a service from Glasgow Central. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 16th September, 2005.

334011-polmadie.jpg (107465 bytes)

Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPT)'s new 90mph class 334 electric units, intended for Ayrshire electric services, on show at Polmadie. At least six of these units have already been delivered to the Scottish Region, but are plagued by technical problems prior to entering service. The Railtrack safety case and authority for these units to run for anything other than test purposes are still being sought. Indeed any restricted authority for them to move under their own power was withdrawn (again) on 14 September 2000 when the 334 001 rolled away from Glasgow Central platform 11 whilst supposedly stabled. The unit derailed on the approaches to the station, causing chaos. The unit pictured here is a three-coach hybrid 334 001/334 011 which showed different numbers on either end, because the first coach of the first unit had been removed following the derailment. The basic bodyshell design (although not the bolted-on cab) of these units are based on the class 170 'Turbostar' units, widely in operation throughout Britain, although the interior & windows are fitted out differently. The design is also shared with classes 357 (c2c/LTS), 457 (Connex), 458 (SWT), 460 (GEx), and possibly other future designs given Bombardier's "modular" design concept. Alex Lu, lexcie@innocent.com, http://www.lexcie.zetnet.co.uk/

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334 012 at Wemyss Bay, having just arrived with a service from Glasgow Central. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 16th September, 2005.

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334 013 departing from Drumchapel with a service to Balloch. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Monday, 26th September, 2005.

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334 014 departing from Partick with a service to Dalmuir. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Monday, 30th May, 2005.

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334 015 departing from Dalreoch with a service to Balloch. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Monday, 4th April, 2005.

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334 021 at Airdrie. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 18th March, 2005.

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334 030 at Milngavie, having just arrived with a service from Motherwell. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Sunday, 17th April, 2005.

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334 030 at Partick with the 15:11 service to Lanark, calling at Exhibition Centre, Anderston, Glasgow Central (Low Level), Argyle Street, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Uddingston, Bellshill, Motherwell, Shieldmuir, Wishaw, Carluke and Lanark. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Monday, 30th May, 2005.

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334 035 at Wemyss Bay, having just arrived with a service from Glasgow Central. Photo taken by Andrew Reid on Friday, 22nd July, 2005.

334xxx~1.jpg (137487 bytes)

the new 334 series cars on the road to delivering to Scotland Budapest, 2000 jun. 16. 20:10 Photo and scan: Zoltán Németh (zoltan_nemeth@g51.kibernet.hu)

334xxx~2.jpg (148281 bytes)

the new 334 series cars on the road to delivering to Scotland Budapest, 2000 jun. 16. 20:10 Photo and scan: Zoltán Németh (zoltan_nemeth@g51.kibernet.hu)