I've ridden Northern's units in the Manchester area more than the West Midlands ones. I think the only time I've been on a West Midlands one (or back then London Midland) was a quick hop from New Street to Aston. If you mean 313 I've ridden them a lot more. I had a few rides on Great Northern's before they were taken out of service, and I've had plenty of rides on Southern's units around Brighton and the South Coast. They're fine for short trips although anything longer than an hour is pretty miserable. I once went from Portsmouth to Brighton on one and I wished I was on an Electrostar.
The only time I've been on a 323 was while it as being built. I was Project Accountant at Hunslet TPL back in the mid-90s when they were part of Jenbacher. They had a potential contract with Scottish Rail (IIRC) for c35 units, but the government wouldn't commit so they closed down. They had to close the local road when they were finishing off a set, because the yard wasn't big enough to accommodate the 3 linked units.
