#3531
British Rail Class 303
🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by Pressed Steel Car Company· from 1960· class of 91 British 3-car electric multiple units
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4 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences
- 1. 14.06.83 Milngavie 303.016 (6076992180): Phil Richards from London, UK· CC BY-SA 2.0
- 2. Class 303 016 at Langside: Pencefn· CC BY-SA 3.0
- 3. Class 303 at Wemyss Bay (April 1984): Pencefn at en.wikipedia· CC BY 2.5
- 4. Preserved Class 303 EMU set at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway: ScottD2998· CC BY-SA 4.0
what is it?
The British Rail Class 303 electric multiple units, also known as "Blue Train" units, were introduced in 1960 following the electrification of the North Clyde and the Cathcart Circle lines in Strathclyde, Scotland. 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 The final units were withdrawn from service in 2002.
who runs it
base stats
Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.
fun facts
- First built 66 years ago, in 1960.
- Served for 42 years (1960–2002).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1960
- in service from
- 1960
- retired
- 2002
- status
- retired
- number built
- 91
- kind
- multiple unit
- traction
- electric
- origin
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- builders
- Pressed Steel Company
- operators
- National Express ScotRail, Scottish Region of British Railways, British Rail ScotRail, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive
- top speed
- 121 km/h
- power
- —
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q849787, Wikipedia: British Rail Class 303 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.