A Tribute to British Rail/Scotrail Class 303 Glasgow Blue Train

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Here is a little tribute video for my favorite train, the class 303. Also known as the Glasgow Blue Train. I used as many pictures and some videos I could find. So if any of you recognize any of your videos you made or pictures you took then I hope you don't mind.

About a month or 2 ago I emailed Bo'ness railway and SRPS (Scottish Railway Preservation Society) asking about what their plans were for the last 303 as nothing seemed to be happening. This was the reply I got:

"Dear Finlay,

At SRPS we fully realise the historic importance of the Glasgow Blue train. We intend to display it to the public in a new carriage shelter which is nearing completion at Bo`ness.
Sadly, for the foreseeable future we have no plans for restoration due to lack of resources and the huge cost of stripping the asbestos from the vehicles. We have not yet decided on the colour in which to paint it which will be a cosmetic restoration in due course.
Glasgow Transport museum have no interest in the train and indeed refused the offer of similar vehicles to the ones at Bo`ness.
We work closely with NRM and it may be that at some time in the future the train may be loaned to York. At the present time they have no wish to take and display it due to, among other things, lack of space.
Thank you for your interest and rest assured that we will do nothing to jeopardise the future of the train.

John Evans, Chairman, SRPS"


303 032 is now safe in a new shed at Bo'ness awaiting cosmetic repairs and more.

Music performed Billy Connolly

Hope you enjoy.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• The
• Last
• SPT
• Class
• 303
• EMU
• Glasgow
• Blue
• Train
• Bo'Ness
• British
• Rail
• Scotrail
• Billy
• Connolly
• Bigfinlach

[MrJezza31]

Long live class 303s they were pure brilliance and i one day will be funding the return of 303032 if i win the lottery all the moneys going on that unit id buy it iff i could RIP 303s FTW

[Bigfinlach]

@MrJezza31 Good luck with finding a place to store it and making all the replacement parts and removing the asbestos. Would you restore it to its original caledonian blue and grey or keep it orange and black?

[MrJezza31]

@Bigfinlach orange and black

[Bigfinlach]

@MrJezza31 If only we could go back in time and save more of the fleet from the scrapheap, eh?

[MrJezza31]

@Bigfinlach yeah , by the way can you give me the names of the songs plese?

[Bigfinlach]

@MrJezza31 both Billy Connolly performing, first is Irish Heartbeat, second is (I Wish I Was In) Glasgow.

[MrJezza31]

@Bigfinlach thanks

[Bigfinlach]

@BiggerThanJesus09 Ah I see, thought that would be the reason! Well Im a child of the 90s so I only know them in their last refurbished state. I think me and my brother were allowed to go in the cab of one from Largs to West Kilbride. It was awesome. Love the 303. And Yeah the last 303 was saved by the SRPS as is sitting in a shed at Bo'ness for restoration. hope they do a good job. Wish more 303s could have been saved from scarp and be restored to their original blue glory

[BiggerThanJesus09]

@BiggerThanJesus09 After the boneshaking journey on the No5 these trains were so clean, fresh, new and let in so much light. I loved them then & I love them now. I've heard that the SRPS have now taken their 303 under cover in preparation for it's restoration, just a pity that it one of the refurbished units. Also hear that the Riverside Museum are in talks with Summerlee with a view to Restoration & Display. Is this unit still has the original interior I'd love see it happen...fingers crossed.X

[BiggerThanJesus09]

@Bigfinlach I was brought up in Castlemilk and would travel to visit my Gran in Knightswood with my Dad every Saturday. We'd take the No 5 to StEnoch Square, walk to Queen St low level and catch the "Blue Train" to Garscadden. It was with great excitement I'd bolt for the very front of the forward carriage, once in I'd slide the door closed and sit on the offside front so as to get the perfect view of the driver and controls.