Greater Anglia Class 321 Farewell around Essex - 29/04/23

From 1988 to 2023, the class 321 Electric Multiple Units manufactured by BREL in York, have, for 35 years, served the West Coast Main Line, and in great majority, the Great Eastern Main Line in utmost comfort and reliability. However, all good things must come to an end.

The 3rd April 2023 marked the final runs in scheduled passenger service, before they would be culled for an 'Ad-Hoc' basis only, until the 29th April 2023. Unfortunately, no further workings materialised.

On 29th April 2023, Greater Anglia ran one last hurrah for these sterling machines in the form of a farewell tour to many routes in Essex that the class have served over the years.

Sparkling clean and equipped with two metal headboard on each unit, with the title 'Class 321 Farewell' applied, the last chance saloon of 'Dusty Bin's running in the eastern region is seen throughout Essex in this video, with 321307 and 321314 being selected to charter the train.

The following shots were obtained throughout the day:

1. 321314 and 321307 are seen with the horn blaring past Wivenhoe Woods working 5G16 from Clacton-on-Sea to London Liverpool Street.

2. 321307 and 321314 apply the brakes at Cowdray Avenue for a signal check to head to Colchester Town past Cowdray Avenue, on 1G16 from London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea.

3. After reversing in Britain's Oldest Recorded Town, 321314 and 321307 speed past Rectory Road running as 1G16 from London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea.

4. Next up, one of the final chances to sight these workhorses on classic 60-foot length bullhead rail! Following a reversal at Thorpe-le-Soken, 321314 and 321307 sound superb as they clickety clack their way past Mayfields Farm with 1G17 from Clacton-on-Sea to Walton-on-the-Naze.

5. 321307 and 321314 run down grade past Frating Abbey Farm Road on 1G18 from Walton-on-the-Naze to Harwich Town.

6. 321314 and 321307 speed past Wheatsheaf Lane working 1G18 from Walton-on-the-Naze to Harwich Town.

7. 321307 and 321314 are dwarfed by the Stour Estuary as they run past Bradfield whilst working 1G19 from Harwich Town to Stowmarket.

8. 321314 and 321307 pace past Springvalley Lane on 1G20 from Stowmarket to Southend Victoria.

9. Finally, 321307 and 321314 are seen racing through Alresford with 5N22 from London Liverpool Street to Clacton-on-Sea.

Farewell Class 321s, you will be missed! 1988 to 2023 - 35 years of sterling work and comfort.

Thanks for watching, South East Train Hub.