Dapol Class 323 EMU ready to go into tooling      

The model will come with a highly detailed Bracknell Wills HS-A pantograph, which can be posed in the down/stowed position or extended by the modeler to its deployed position for running sessions. 

Each car is connected to its neighbouring unit with an electrical interconnection, the jumper cables are located prototypically into recesses in the leading and training unit. 

There are some key differences between the early and late versions, including early versions having a destination board in the middle of the centre car, whereas the later version has this plated over, and the later version of the centre coach has some of its windows plated over.

Early versions of the locomotive also feature WIPAC lighting, whereas the later version features Modern group standard LED twin lamp light clusters.

Specification

• 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

The Dapol sound recording team is currently busy acquiring a sound recording of a 323 with the help of the BLS & WMR.

Proposed Liveries

• Class 323 323203 Regional Railways Centro
• Class 323 323227 Regional Railways Greater Manchester PTE
• Class 323 323213 London Midland
• First North Western "Barbie" with Northern branding
• Class 323 323241 West Midlands Trains
• Class 323 323225 Northern New - White/Blue
• Class 323 Regional Railways Cenrto Heritage Repaint

Available in DC, DCC and DCC-Sound versions and available to pre-order, it is anticipated that models will be available in shops towards the middle of 2025.

Prices

DCC Ready - £350.00

DCC Fitted - £385.00

DCC Sound - £470.00

About the prototype

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.  

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