THE 400 Series Preservation Group, owners of 4-VOP EMU set No. 3905 at the East Kent Railway, is negotiating with Beacon Rail Leasing and Arlington Fleet Services, regarding the future of the first-built Class 313 unit No. 313201 (313101/313001). It is hoped agreement will be reached shortly for the three-car unit to be kept in operational condition at Eastleigh Works. The purchase price for the unit is already covered.
Built by BREL, York in 1976/77, the dual-voltage Class 313s remained in use with Southern until May 2023. This unit was repainted in heritage BR blue and grey by Beacon Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway and with No. 313213, worked a farewell railtour on April 29.
The Class 313s spent most of their lives in north London on Euston–Watford DC and North London Line services with BR, later with Silverlink and London Overground. They were transferred to Southern in 2010 for use on
