Class 313 EMU arrives at Cynheidre

The Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway (LMMR) have welcomed another Electric Multiple Unit to the railway, this time Class 313 no. 313201 which is owned by the 400 Series Preservation Group. The first car of the three-car unit arrived on Tuesday 25th November 2025 with the second and third arriving on Tuesday 2nd December 2025.

The Class 313 was introduced in 1976, originally built for the Eastern Region. The units then moved to the London Midland region before moving to Southern in 2010. When built they introduced a raft of design and technological advancements which were then state of the art and revolutionary.

To commemorate their introduction and heritage, 313201 (Formerly 313001 and 313101) was repainted into a heritage British Rail Blue & Grey livery by Beacon Rail Leasing and Govia Thameslink Railway.

Having spent most of its life in north London working Euston – Watford DC and North London Line services with both British Rail, Silverlink and London Overground under privatisation, the unit was transferred to Southern in 2010 following introduction of Class 378 units, seeing out its final years in service at Brighton depot.

313201 was the only Class 313 to be retained in operational condition and last operated under 3rd rail power as recently as June 2025 when it was used for driver experiences at Eastleigh Works.

Most recently it starred as an exhibit at the Greatest Gathering in Derby in August 2025.

It moves to the LMMR for short term storage ahead of finding a more permanent home and joins Class 315 EMU no. 315856 at the railway. It is a welcome addition to what is an increasingly interesting selection of rolling stock at the railway, in line with the railway's aim to provide an alternative heritage railway offering.