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The Last Day.... The 5Z49 08:41 ECS from Yoker Carriage Sidings to Bellgrove via Shettleston Loop makes its way out to Shettleston past the assembled enthusiasts at Bellgrove Station. The train, formed by units 303088 and 303011 is seen (above left and centre) slowing through Bellgrove Station to a signal check for a 318 coming off the Springburn branch, before (above right) making a spirited departure round the curve over Bellgrove Junction. The 2H49 from Airdrie, formed of a pair of class 320 units, terminated at Bellgrove and ran ECS to Helensburgh. This train was filled mainly by ordinary commuters, most of whom did not appreciate the significance of the event, despite a detailed announcement over the tannoy. 303011 is seen (bottom left) arriving at Bellgrove ready for it's last revenue earning run, as the 2Z49 09:27 Bellgrove to Helensburgh Central, stopping at Queen Street, Charing Cross, Partick and Hyndland, then fast via Yoker to Dalmuir Park, Dumbarton East and Central, Dalreoch, Cardross and Craigendoran. At Glasgow Queen Street the train rolled in to a battery of flashguns going off and a piper playing as the invited dignitaries and the press joined the train. Once under way from Queen Street the staff handed out commemorative postcards and tickets, along with a miniature of whiskey (for those old enough to partake!) A lively run in the true tradition of the 303s was experienced, especially by those around me who had boarded the front carriage of 303011, and found themselves sitting above the rear Gresley bogie of that coach. On arrival at Helensburgh the unit ran into platform 1 where an example of the "new generation" class 334 was parked allowing comparison to be drawn between styling (bottom left). A wreath (below and bottom centre) was attached to the unit and the piper played as the press carried out their interviews and enthusiasts took their last photographs. Finally as the piper played the lament "The Flowers o' the Forest" at 10:50 am the units left as 5Z01 as a (not quite) empty stock to Yoker, (some enthusiasts who were in the right place at the right time blagged one last run to Dalmuir) - bottom right. |
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To mark the introduction of the new electric services on 5th November 1960, a special book was published by British Railways, Scottish Region. Here are some of the main colour images from that book, which is now a collectors item, much sought after by enthusiasts.
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| As well as the Cuneo Painting at the top of this page, this shot of two pristine units specially posed at Craigendoran was used generally for publicity work. | The ability to get a "drivers eye" view of the line ahead was a feature much appreciated by all passengers, especially young railway enthusiasts |
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| Compared to the dirty, cramped non corridor stock they replaced, the new trains were a revolution in passenger comfort. | The pantograph being adjusted at the Pressed Steel works in Linwood. The white roofs were a short lived feature of the units, being quickly replaced by a mid-grey |
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| Under construction at the Pressed Steel works in Linwood. Some units never left the Glasgow Suburban area at any time in their working lives | When originally introduced into service, the units did not carry unit numbers as shown by this example at Milngavie |
On to A Photographic
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