Second Generation EMUs

It is now some forty years since the term ‘Second Generation EMU’ entered rail industry parlance. The British Rail (BR) Class 313 heralded a new era back in 1976/77 with BR’s first order of suburban passenger trains with both a pantograph (for 25Kv AC) and shoegear (for 750V DC ‘third rail’). These units continue to see daily service both on north of London commuter services and on Sussex’s Coastw...