Class 314 EMUs in Scotland

Class 314 EMUs were used by British Rail with the reopening of the Argyle Line, which ran under Glasgow Central high-level station. These services commenced from November 1979. The 314s initially worked the Argyle Line between Motherwell and Dalmuir. They were also gradually deployed from 1980 on the rest of the North Glasgow electric system and were initially allocated to Hyndland Depot. They offered faster acceleration over the old ‘Blue Trains’ and were popular with both the public and traincrews. From 2001, they were redeployed to the Glasgow South electric system and worked services between Glasgow Central and Gourock, Wemyss Bay, Neilston, Newton and the Cathcart Circles. In later years, they also made occasional appearances to Ayr, Ardrossan and Largs. They finally finished in service in December 2019. One set has survived into preservation and is based at the Scottish Railway Preservation Society at Bo’ness.

This selection of rare and previously unpublished images celebrates the history of these long-serving Electric Multiple Units.