| British Rail Class 303 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Class 303 at Milngavie in 1983 | |
| In service | 5 November 1960–30 December 2002 |
| Manufacturer | Pressed Steel Company |
| Order no. |
|
| Built at | Linwood, Renfrewshire |
| Family name | BR First Generation Mark 1 |
| Replaced | Various steam engines/early carriages |
| Constructed | 1959–1961[1] |
| Entered service | 1960–1961 |
| Refurbished | 1984[2] - c.1990 |
| Scrapped | 1974–2003[2] |
| Number built | 91 |
| Number preserved | 1[2] |
| Number scrapped | 90[2] |
| Successor | |
| Formation | |
| Diagram | |
| Design code | AM3 |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Operators | |
| Depots | |
| Lines served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel[4] |
| Train length | 199 ft 6 in (60.81 m)[3] |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)[3] |
| Height | 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)[3] |
| Floor height | 3 ft 7.5 in (1.1 m)[4] |
| Doors | Twin leaf sliding, pneumatically operated |
| Articulated sections | 3 |
| Wheelbase | 46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) (bogie centres, per car)[4] |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h)[1] |
| Weight |
|
| Traction motors | 4 × MV 155kW[1][3] |
| Power output | 618 kW (829 hp)[3] |
| HVAC | Electric |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC & 6.25 kV AC overhead[4] |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ |
| Bogies | |
| Braking system(s) | Electropneumatic[4] |
| Safety system(s) | AWS[4] |
| Coupling system |
|
| Multiple working | Within class, and Class 311[3] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 303 electric multiple units, also known as "Blue Train" units, were introduced in 1960 for the electrification of the North Clyde and the Cathcart Circle lines in Strathclyde. They were initially classified as AM3 units before the introduction of the TOPS classification system, and were the dominant EMU on the Glasgow suburban railway network for over 25 years before being progressively phased out by newer rolling stock. The final units were withdrawn from service in 2002. The fleet's lifespan was 42 years.
The units were later used on the Inverclyde and Argyle lines of the Glasgow suburban railway network as various electrification schemes came to fruition.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Fox 1994, pp. 7–8
- ^ a b c d "Class 303 History". Scottish Trains Website. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Class 303". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Vehicle Diagram Book No.210 for Electrical Multiple Units (including A.P.T.)" (PDF). Barrowmore MRG. BRB Residuary Ltd. ED201, ED220, EE206, EE241, EF202, EF217. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Servicing depot opened in 1987
- ^ Fox 1987, p. 50.
- ^ Following closure as a passenger station in 1979, Bridgeton Central became a major servicing depot for Cl.303s until 1987