317 345
DTSO 77092 is owned by the EARM,
With the ACMU Society providing support to the organisation.
British Rail History:
317345 was one of the first batch of units built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) in York, in 1982​. 317345 was initially delivered to Cricklewood Depot on the Midland Mainline, introduced on services out of London St Pancras. it soon transferred to Hornsey depot with the introduction of the Class 319s, and served the routes out of Kings Cross, First under Network Southeast before passing to private operator WAGN (West Anglia Great Northern)
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317345
Vehicles Owned By:
The East Anglian Railway Museum
(Accredited Museum)
Located at EARM Near Colchester, Essex
ACMU Society Role:
Providing direct financial support, publicity and volunteer assistance towards the ongoing Conservation
Vehicle Details:
Driving Trailer Standard Open
DTSO No. 77092​​​
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Restored Cosmetically and on public display
More Information:
317345 at Hornsey Depot Sometime in 2002, Thanks to Scott Ansell
Driver John Webb
It was under WAGN's operation that 317345 received its distinguished name. In a ceremony held at Hertford North station shortly before Christmas in December 2005, the train was officially named "Driver John Webb" in honour of a long-serving and highly respected railwayman.​ John Webb's career on the railways spanned an impressive 50 years.
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'Driver John Webb' Nameplate on 317345, Thanks to MK Tom's Transport Photography
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He began his journey with British Railways in 1953 as a cleaner, a traditional entry point for aspiring locomotive crew. Through dedication and skill, he progressed to the role of driver, becoming a familiar face on the Great Northern lines. In his later years, Webb took on the crucial responsibility of training new drivers on the very electric multiple units he was so familiar with, passing on his wealth of knowledge to the next generation. The naming of 317345 was a fitting tribute to his half-century of service and his contribution to the safe and efficient operation of the railway.​
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​Withdrawal and Preservation
After a long and successful career, the entire Class 317 fleet was gradually withdrawn from service, being replaced by newer rolling stock. The final Class 317s were retired in July 2022, marked by a farewell running day which the ACMU society helped to commemorate. 317345 was withdrawn much earlier in March 2021, having clocked just under 2.5 million miles in service. The Driving Trailer Second Open (DTSO) vehicle, No. 77092, was donated to the East Anglian Railway Museum, which was announced on the 14th October 2021. Another coach from the unit, Trailer Composite Open (TCO) No. 71621, went on to be moved to The Depot in Caxton, used as an office space.​​
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A year later the vehicle was wrapped by Aura Brand Solutions into "Revised" Network Southeast livery, Unveiled on the 12th October 2022. It was moved into the new Exhibition shed in early 2024, ready to tell the story of electric suburban rail travel. It was reunited with John Webb at the Railway 200 open day on the 13th July 2025, when the new exhibition shed had its grand opening.