British Rail Class 331

The announcement of the new trains was made by Arriva UK Trains when it was confirmed that it would become the next operator of the Northern franchise from 1 April 2016. CAF were selected by Arriva as they were the only manufacturer able to produce both new diesel () and electric multiple units from the same platform, the Civity, thus increasing familiarity for drivers and reducing maintenance costs once in operation. Bombardier submitted a bid to produce electric units based on their new Aventra platform, but was unable to offer the matching DMU that Arriva required. Furthermore, Bombardier already had a long order book for Aventra units and Arriva believed CAF were in a stronger position to guarantee on-time delivery of the units. with the first completed unit being unveiled on 31 January 2018. Testing began in the UK in September 2018, and in March 2019, a four-car Class 331 unit (331111) became the first train to be completed at CAF's Llanwern factory. On 28 June 2019, the new trains were launched by a special service for the media. Regular passenger service with the Class 331 (along with its diesel counterpart, the ) started on 1 July 2019. During the first episode of the seventh series of Great Continental Railway Journeys, first shown in 2020, Michael Portillo drove unit 331005 inside the CAF factory in Zaragoza. ==Description==

Arriva UK Trains stated its aim for a "step-change in quality" for the new trains when compared with older trains in the Northern fleet such as the Pacers and Sprinters. Northern selected a "wide and spacious" vestibule area to allow for quicker passenger flows when boarding and disembarking to minimise dwell times which can result in delays. It is envisaged this improved acceleration result in efficiencies and improved punctuality on commuter routes with multiple stops across the Northern network. The units are designed with a projected lifespan of 35years and it is planned they will operate beyond 2050 with maintenance and refurbishment. Other features included are digital seat reservation systemhowever these are to future-proof the train and Northern do not envisage using these on many, if any routes. Although the vast majority of services will operate as three or four-car formations, some three-car units are doubled up to form six-car services. As a result, they are fitted with Automatic Selective Door Operation (ASDO) for use on routes where station platform lengths are not sufficient to fully accommodate the train. This ASDO is linked to an automated system which informs the passengers through both announcements and the passenger information screens located in each saloon. ==Routes==

In West Yorkshire, the Class 331 units replaced the eight and trains operating alongside the fleet of units on / to / and Leeds to stopping services. In the North West, the 331s were deployed on inter-city electrified services from to and services from to Blackpool North. The 331s were also introduced on the to Blackpool North route and the Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport route. ==Fleet details==

Illustration Named units Both 331106 and 331110 are named Proud To Be Northern. Units 331010 and 331109 also have a special NHS livery to thank them for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unit 331004 is named The Bradfordian to celebrate Bradford's UK City of Culture status in 2025. ==See also==