Dapol have revealed colour render images for their newly tooled range of Class 323 electric multiple units in OO Gauge!
This exciting new range of units is expected to arrive in stock during Mid-2025 and seven different models are available to pre-order now. All of these are available DCC ready, DCC fitted or DCC Sound Fitted.
The project has now reached the end of the design phase and is ready to progress into the tooling shop. The Dapol development team are busy acquiring accurate sound files for the 323, with the help of BLS & WMR, and colour render images have been created which you can see here.
Dapol's Class 323 tooling will cover both 'early' and 'later' versions of the class, with detail variations provided for different destination boards, headlamp clusters and more.
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Product Features
Available in DC, DCC and DCC Sound Versions
Plux-22 DCC Socket
14-Pin Electrical Connection between cars – just one DCC Chip needed.
Speaker fitted in each driving car as standard
Low profile motor in centre car driving all wheels.
DCC Controllable lighting, including Door Open lights when in stations.
DC switchable tail-lights as standard· Bespoke DCC Sound scheme.
Bodyside display indicators on 4D-323-001 and 4D-323-002
Close-coupling mechanism within set.
Accurate livery reproduction.
Alternative destination labels.
Interior and cab lighting.
Working BSI coupling on front ends to allow 6 or 9-car operation.
Correct bodyside and headlight arrangements for all versions.
Original and refurbished internal layout in centre car.
Correct toilet modules for original and refurbished units”
Fully painted interior, with correct colour schemes for each version.
Poseable dummy pantograph and full roof detail.
Prototype Information
The British Rail Class 323 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by Hunslet Transportation Projects and Holec. All 43 units were built from 1992 through to 1995. Entering service in 1994, the 323s were among the last trains to enter service with British Rail before its privatisation in the mid-1990s.
The units were designed to operate on inner-suburban commuter lines in and around Birmingham and Manchester with swift acceleration and high reliability. The units are known for the distinctive sounds that can be heard during acceleration or deceleration. These sounds are generated by the traction electronics. The Class 323s were initially beset with a number of technical problems related to their traction motors, doors, traction converters, gearbox and vibration at high speed which took several years to resolve, preventing them from entering service. The first unit finally entered revenue-earning service on 7 February 1994.
Of the 43 units built, 26 are in operation with West Midlands Trains and 17 with Northern Trains. In the first half of 2024 the West Midlands Trains units are planned to be replaced by new Class 730 EMUs, and 34 units will be operated by Northern Trains.