303003
Key
Pictures marked with 1 taken by Chris Adams from UK traction
Pictures marked with 2 taken by Ross Aitken pictures taken from the European Rail Server.
Pictures marked with 4 taken from the Railway Centre website.
click on a picture to see a full size view.
Units in number order
303003 approaching Glasgow Central on a Sunny Day in 1997 coming from either Newton, Neilston or Cathcart Inner service via Queens Park. This unit was one of the 6 units which made it to the last day on 30th December. My Last ever 303 journey was on 303003 on the 8:20 Motherwell to Dalmuir Service on the 20th December 2002. It was taken to Immingham for scrapping on 13th January 2003. Notice how clean and smart this unit looks not compared to the 303s in their last 3 or 4 years.(2)
303004 leaving Glasgow Central in 1997 going to Ayrshire. This unit was one of the 6 units which made it to the last day on 30th December. It was taken to Immingham for scrapping on 20th January 2003. (2)
303010 leaving Glasgow Central on a miserable day for Newton via Maxwell Park which I think is one of the nicest stations on the SPT network. 303010 was withdrawn and scrapped in 2001. Incidentally I think 303010 was one of the first units to receive the minor alteration to the motor coach in 1999 where the luggage rack was removed next to the door going past the Guards compartment in the motor coach as well as sealing up the window there as well. (2)
Another unit to make it to the Last Day was 303011. Along with 303088 it travelled on the final journey to Helensburgh. It was one of the better units left at the end and had received life extensions at the end of 2001 to its wheel bogies. It has now been taken to Immingham for scrapping, leaving on 20th January 2003. It is pictured here in October 2002 at Queen St Low Level.(1) Picture 2 shows 303011+303091 in 6 car formation returning from a cathcart circle peak hour journey. (2)
This unit was one of the first units to be withdrawn in 2002. Along with 008, 012 and 077 016 was taken to Immingham in January 2002. It was in service up to 3 days before going to Immingham. 016 was a regular on the Argyle Line during 2000 when the services were totally 303 operated. 303016 is seen here at Platform 4 at Motherwell. (2)
303019 was one of 4 303's painted in Carmine and Cream Livery. It was withdrawn in March 2002. My final Journey on this unit was Sunday 24th February 2002. I caught this train to the SECC for the Model Rail Show. It was filthy both inside and out. This was during the Drivers Overtime ban. That day there was only 5 or 6 trains out on the Argyle Line. I noted that 303006, 303085, 303019, 303020 and 303009 were out that day. There was no 318s out that day. 303019 is seen here approaching Glasgow Central in a 6 car formation with an orange and black set. (4)
303020 was quite a fast mover. Along with 033 which had some acelleration on it. I remember getting on 020 at Central Low Level. It was on a Hamilton Circle service and was running about 20 minutes late. It made up those 20 minutes by tanning it up the WCML and between Newton and Blantyre. 020 was withdrawn in Summer 2002 and was taken to Immingham just before Christmas 2002. 303020 is seen here at Platform 3 at Motherwell. (2)
One of the few units painted in Carmine and Cream, 021 was a regular on the Argyle Line in 2000, 2001 and 2002. It was also one of my favourite units. I liked the Carmine and Cream livery as it suited these trains. It was withdrawn in Summer 2002 and taken to Immingham in September 2002. 303021 is seen at Glasgow Central with a service from the Cathcart Inner circle. (2)
Another unit in Carmine and Cream, 303023 which was withdrawn in 2001 was reinstated in 2002 for a few months. It was a regular on the Argyle line in 2002 being paired as a 6 car set with 303079 for 3 weeks during the Drivers work to rule in 2002. It was withdrawn in Summer 2002 and sent to scrap in the Autumn. 303023 is seen at Glasgow Central with a service for Newton via Maxwell Park. (2)
303025 is seen here in this picture at Glasgow Central in 2000. It is about to leave with a Neilston service. This picture was taken not long before one of the trailers was set on fire by vandals. This set was scrapped in 2002. (1)
303027 is seen at Shields. This front view shows the main destination box eg Lanark, the sub destination box eg via Glasgow Central, reinforced glass in the windscreens, the jumper cables and brake pipes for when working in multiple, head and tail lights, coupling, horn and buffers. This particular unit was withdrawn in November 2002 and taken to Immingham in late 2002. (4)
303028 is seen here at Newton with a service for Glasgow Central via Maxwell Park. This unit was reformed from trailers from 303035 and 303079 and the motor coach was swapped with 037s motor coach, which was a victim in the Newton crash in 1990. This unit was withdrawn in 1999.(2)
This unit was used as a test unit receiving thrystor control and doors which opened out and folded against the side of the unit (similar to the 334). It also received a silicon cooler device. This unit was withdrawn in 1981 as it was less reliable, and non standard parts. The motor coach was scrapped and the trailers were reused on sets 028 and 079. 303035 is seen at Westerton shortly after introduction.(4)
303037 was one of the units involved in the Newton Train crash in 1990. It was reformed from one of the existing trailers - 75803, 61508 from 303028 which gained 037s original motor coach and trailer 75781 from 071 which was in the Bellgrove crash in 1989. The unit lasted in service till May 2002 before it was withdrawn. It was a regular on the Argyle Line in 2000, 2001 and early 2002. This picture shows 303037 departing from Glasgow Central with a service to Wymess Bay. This unit was scrapped in late 2002.(2)
There are 2 pictures of this unit. This unit has a bit of history attatched to it. In the 1980's trailer 75753 was replaced with trailer 75572 from set 007. In 2000 it was replaced by trailer 75766 from set 056. This trailer had the original sliding windows where as the rest of the set has hopper windows. The set was then withdrawn in 2001 and was reinstated in February 2002 and was one of the final 6 units in service. It was withdrawn on the 30th December 2002 and was taken to Immingham for scrapping in January 2003. Picture 1 shows 303043 at Motherwell with a Lanark service in 1998. (2) Picture 2 shows 303043 departing from Queen Street Low Level in 2002. Note the sliding windows in the front carrige. (1)
This unit was not really a regular on the Argyle line until 2002 when other 303s were withdrawn. It was one of the sets which survived past the Summer until November 2002 when it was finally withdrawn. It was taken to Immingham for scrapping in December 2002. The pictures show 303045 arriving at Central from an Ayrshire service on a miserable day. (2) The other shows 045 posing beside a 318 at Central. You can see from this picture how much better a 303 looks compared to a 318 which has no character compared to a 303 and will never better the 303s. It also shows how elderly looking the 303s are compared to the 318s(1)
303048 has had a colourful past like 043. 303048 was one of the second batch of 303s built, being introduced in 1961. It worked the Glasgow suburban routes until 1983 when it was transferred to Manchester to work services there. It served there until 1991 when it returned to Shields. The original trailer cars were swapped for those of set 042 with 048s original trailers going to set 052. The set was repainted into the its original livery and restored to its original condition. It was used as driver training vehicle and used for special events. It was also the last unrefurbished 303 in service from 1991 onwards. It remained in use in this capacity until 1998 when it was scrapped due to asbestos being found in the unit.
Like 045 set 054 was more of a regular out of the high level lines until 2001. It was one of the better sets left in traffic towards the end. I feel that if it hadnt have caught fire in March 2002 then it would have last until the last day. It was a regular on the Hamilton Circle service in February 2002 and was one of the cleaner sets in the end. 303054 is seen here at Newton in 1998. (2)
This unit was withdrawn in 1998. In this picture 303055 is seen leaving Glasgow Central with a service for Newton via Queens Park. It retained sliding windows until the end. It was scrapped in 2001. (2)
303056 was one of the last 2 units in service (the other being 303085) to retain sliding windows. 303056 lasted until 2000 when it lost trailer 75766 which was used to reform 303043. 303056 was one of my favourite units. I think the other coaches were scrapped in 2001. My lasting memory of this unit was coming home on the Lanark Express in 2000 when 056 was working in multiple with 085 which was to be the one and only time I ever saw these 2 in multiple. Even more special was the fact that they both had the old fashioned windows. 303056 is seen here at Glasgow Central.(2) The first picture shows 303056 in caledonian blue livery in the 1960s.
303058 lasted until August 2000 before being withdrawn following the Motor coach exploding at Blantyre. I remember on that day being stuck in the train behind at Newton for ages that afternoon before it was finally diverted up the main line to Motherwell. In the last 3 years of 303 operation Motor coaches exploding was a regular feature. In 2002 both 303054 and 303009 were withdrawn after their motor coaches caught fire. 303058 is seen approaching Glasgow Central in 1997.(2)
303060 was one of the units sent to the Manchester in 1983. It is seen here at Manchester in the GMPTE Livery Following withdrawal, it was sent back to Yoker Depot following withdrawal to use for spare parts.(4)
303061 was withdrawn in 1999 and scrapped in 2001. This was one unit I never travelled on. 303061 is pictured leaving Glasgow Central with a service to Newton via Maxwell Park.(2)
Pictured here is trailer car 75773 from set 303063 which was withdrawn in 1991. This vehicle was the last remaining unrefurbished 303 vehicle. I cannot remember travelling on set 063 as I am not old enough to remember that far back very clearly as I was only 10. The only thing I remember about that year was Motherwell winning the Scottish Cup. 75773 was torched by vandals weeks later. It is now stored at MOD Longtown (Dont know why as there isnt much of it left). It is seen at Yoker in this picture.(2)
Pictured here is set 303065. It was withdrawn in 2001. I dont really remeber being on this set very often. I dont think it was a regular on the Argyle Line. 303065 is pictured at Glasgow Central with an Ayrshire Service. (1)
303070 was a regular on the Argyle Line up until its withdrawal in 2001. It was scrapped in Autumn 2002.
Picture 1 shows 303070 at Newton with a Dalmuir service (2)
Picture 2 shows 303070 at Central with a service for Wymess Bay. (1)
303077 was one of the first units to be withdrawn in 2002. It was a regular on the Argyle line up until the end of its life. It was scrapped in April 2002. The picture shows 303077 arriving at Glasgow Central from the Cathcart circle.(2)
303083 was one of the final units in service surviving through Summer 2002 until November 2002. It wasnt really a regular on the Argyle line until other 303s were withdrawn in 2001/2002. It was easily recognisable by one of the windows on the guards corridor being boarded up and painted black. It was taken for scrapping in January 2003. This picture shows 303083 at Central Station.(1)
One of the carmine and cream sets 303087 was one of the earliest victims of the mass withdrawal of 303s in 2001/2002. Although withdrawn it survived at Yoker until 2002 until scrapping in the Autumn. It is seen here at Glasgow Central shortly after repainting into Carmine and Cream Livery. (2)
One of the last units to be withdrawn, 303088 was on the last journey to Helensburgh. 088 was initially withdrawn in 2001 only to be renistated in 2002. 303088 was recognisable by one of the boxed in areas under the seats in the motor coach had 61864 Radio box wrote on it. Since withdrawal 303088 had a temporary reprieve from the scrap man following the brakes on the set jamming when being taken to Immingham with 011 and 043. The set had to be removed at Rutherglen and dumped in the yard next to the station. After 2 weeks, it was moved to Shields to await its fate. 303088 is seen here approaching Glasgow Central with a Cathcart Outer Circle service. (2)
303090 was one of the units which lasted past the summer till Novemeber 2002. It was a regular on the Argyle Line until its withdrawal. 303090 was taken to Immingham for Scrapping in January 2003. 303090 is seen in this picture leaving Glasgow Central with a service for Gourock. (2)
303091 was another regular in the Argyle Line until its withdrawal in Summer 2002. 303091 had to have its cab ends rebuilt in 1973 after the Gower St collison that year. 61867 from 091 was said to be replacing 61504 from 009 following the fire on that Set in August 2002. However 091 was taken to Immingham for scrapping and 009 never ran again. 303091 is seen here at Gourock in picture 1 and in picture 2 at Glasgow Central. (1)
Farewell pictures
courtesy of Calum McMahon
These pictures were taken at the farewell event at Helensburgh. This event was to say farewell to the 303s. The pictures show 303011 with a wreath attached which says Last 303. Also the piper is seen playing a lament to the 303s.
