The SouthEast

When First Great Eastern took over operations from Network SouthEast, units began to receive one of two variations of the white, grey, blue and green livery, with many units receiving this repaint along with few Class 315s and the many Class 312s still in operation with FGE. The new Class 360s meanwhile were introduced in the new FGE blue and pink livery, which no Class 321s ever received. Following the decision of the Strategic Rail Authority to merge the Anglia, Great Eastern and West Anglia franchises into one operator, National Express took over this operation and branded themselves ‘One’ as to signify the unity between the three existing operations. Before National Express rebranded to National Express East Anglia only one Class 321, 321446, ever received the colourful ‘one’ rainbow livery as the operator chose instead to repaint the Class 315 fleet.

As the National Express Great Eastern brand only lasted 4 total years, when Greater Anglia took over there were still many units left to be painted. The new Greater Anglia livery was a quite boring all over white livery. Variation did exist however, as some units retained the blue doors from the NXEA livery while others were painted in the new Greater Anglia red. Eventually however the repainting of units ceased, with First Capital Connect units introduced to Greater Anglia in 2017 remaining in their blue livery until withdrawal, this was due to the potential large scale refurbishment of units which was started a year prior. As these were the most prevalent of all liveries upon withdrawal, many survive, Varamis Rail unit 321440 retains it’s white with red doors livery, as well as units 321338, 321339, 321341 and 321342 retain their white with blue doors livery. In addition to this Eastern Rail Services unit 321434 is also in as withdrawn white with blue doors livery. 

Beginning in 2016, the first 30 Class 321/3s underwent a massive refurbishment at Doncaster works. Named the ‘Renatus’ programme, units received a brand new interior, the fitting of a Universal Access toilet as well as air conditioning. Traction packages were also replaced, with the 1980s DC motor equipment replaced with new Vossloh Kiepe AC equivalent. These units were in a drastically different livery from the other members of the greater anglia fleet, receiving a much more modern white, red and grey livery upon release to Greater Anglia from Doncaster Works. Additionally however was prototype for this work 321448, which received a unique Eversholt Rail livery, later given Greater Anglia branding.

First Capital Connect units began operation on services on the East Coast Main Line out of London Kings Cross, and were painted in blue, pink and purple livery named by the operator ‘Urban Lights’. With only 13 however their use was limited, only working select services to Peterborough and Cambridge. Upon introduction of further new trains to FCC, now Great Northern, these units were once again withdrawn. They were further split with a some going to Greater Anglia and a some seeing the same conversion to Class 320s for use with ScotRail. The Greater Anglia units, as mentioned previously, were never repainted from their unbranded FCC blue. This has meant two units have survived in this livery, as Varamis Rail operate 321407 and 321419, however unit 321419 has since received the Varamis Rail branding over the existing blue base coat.