Dapol announces OO Class 323 EMU

Available in DC, DCC and DCC Sound versions, the new models are expected to arrive in February 2025 and will be priced at £350 DCC Ready, £385 DCC Fitted and £470 DCC Sound.

Model Specification 

• 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

Proposed liveries

• 4D-323-001 - Class 323 323203 Regional Railways Centro
• 4D-323-002 - Class 323 323227 Regional Railways Greater Manchester PTE
• 4D-323-003 - Class 323 323213 London Midland
• 4D-323-004 - Class 323 First North Western “Barbie” with Northern branding
• 4D-323-005 - Class 323 323241 West Midlands Trains
• 4D-323-006 - Class 323 323225 Northern New – White/Blue
• 4D-323-007 - Class 323 323221 Regional Railways Centro Heritage Repaint

About the model

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 for British Rail’s Provincial Sector.

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. Of the 43 units built, 26 are in operation with West Midlands Railway and 17 with Northern Trains. 

From 2018, the units received new, accessible toilets and upgrades to their internal Passenger Information Display Systems. 

With the introduction of new Class 730 units, the West Midlands Trains Class 323s will transfer to Northern, joining the existing fleet in the Manchester Area. 

The units are known for the distinctive sounds that can be heard during acceleration or deceleration. These sounds are generated by the traction electronics and we are working on reproducing this for our DCC sound-fitted models. 

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