The order was part of a modernisation of the diesel shunting fleet in the 1980s which also resulted in the Renfe Class 309 and 311.

[3] 4 units have been converted to a formation known as "Medium Distance Teco" (TMD)[1] (Spanish: Teco de Media Distancia); this is a service intended to move containerised freight a distance between 120 and 300 km (75 and 186 mi), and compete with road transport.

[note 1] Each train consists of 8 60 ft (18.29 m) wagons and a class 310 locomotive at either end, with a container capacity of 24 TEU.

[2] The 310.1 locomotives received modified cabs, similar to the design of the rebuilt Renfe 333.3 subclass.

Later the two sets were sold to FGC and in 2009 began use transporting car parts to a SEAT factory.