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Glasgow Subway rolling stock

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Glasgow Subway rolling stock
A third-generation Glasgow Subway Stadler unit at West Street
Interior of third generation Glasgow Subway train
In service2023–
ManufacturerStadler Rail
AssemblyStadler Altenrhein AG
Built atAltenrhein, Switzerland
Family nameMETRO
Entered service2023–2024
Number built17
Number in service16
Formation4 car
Fleet numbers301–317
OperatorsSPT
DepotsBroomloan Depot
Lines servedGlasgow Subway
Specifications
Train length39.51 m (129 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Width2,309 mm (7 ft 6+7⁄8 in)
Height2,642 mm (8 ft 8 in)
Floor height695 mm (2 ft 3+1⁄3 in)
Doors12 per set (6 per side)
Wheel diameter540 mm (1 ft 9+1⁄4 in)
Wheelbase1,650 mm (5 ft 5 in)
Maximum speed58 km/h (36 mph)
Electric system(s)600 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo'Bo'+2'+2'+Bo'Bo'
Track gauge4 ft (1,219 mm) narrow gauge
Notes/references
[1]

The Glasgow Subway rolling stock serves the Glasgow Subway, the third-oldest underground metro system in the world. The Subway is currently on the third generation of rolling stock, which entered service on 11 December 2023.[2][3][4][5] Unlike other Metro systems in the United Kingdom, the Subway has a running gauge of 1,220 mm (approximately 4 ft).[6][7]

First generation (1896–1977)

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The first rolling stock was largely built in 1896,[8] with additional trailer carriages added over the following 17 years. This rolling stock was converted from cable to electric traction in 1935 and finally withdrawn from service in 1977 upon the closure of the railway for modernisation.[9][10][11]

First generation rolling stock
  • 1898 carriage
    1898 carriage
  • Original interior
    Original interior
  • Refurbished interior
    Refurbished interior

Second generation (1980–2024)

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The first 33 cars of the next generation of rolling stock were built by Metro-Cammell, Washwood Heath between 1977 and 1979.[12][13] Eight additional trailer cars were built in 1992.[10] The rolling stock entered service when the subway re-opened after modernisation work on 16 April 1980.[11] The original 33 were refurbished by ABB at Derby Litchurch Lane Works between 1993 and 1995.[14]

Livery

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Originally after the 1977–1980 modernisation the trains carried a light orange livery with a white stripe and stylised 'Trans-Clyde' branding.[15] However, all the rolling stock were soon painted in a darker orange or 'Strathclyde red'.,[16] with a black window surround. This livery was also used on SPTE buses and on suburban and commuter trains operated by ScotRail within the Strathclyde region. Various minor adjustments to the livery were made, including new SPT branding. The trains were given a totally new livery in 2006 when they were painted 'Cream & Carmine'.[17][18] However, in 2011, it was decided to return to an orange livery for the foreseeable future; this new orange design incorporates patches of white and grey to give the rolling stock a more modern look.[16][19]

Some trains carried special liveries for advertising. These were normally found on the middle carriage of a train. These carriages were normally vinyl-wrapped in the design for the advert intended and were then temporarily used for the period of sponsorship, then these wraps could be easily removed and the subway carriage could return to its orange livery.[18]

Second generation rolling stock
  • A second-generation train in 'Strathclyde red' livery at West street
    A second-generation train in 'Strathclyde red' livery at West street
  • A second-generation train in 'Cream & Carmine' livery at Shields Road
    A second-generation train in 'Cream & Carmine' livery at Shields Road
  • A second-generation train in 'Cream & Carmine' livery at Cowcaddens
    A second-generation train in 'Cream & Carmine' livery at Cowcaddens
  • A second-generation train in 2011 orange livery
    A second-generation train in 2011 orange livery
  • A second-generation train in 2011 orange livery at Buchanan Street
    A second-generation train in 2011 orange livery at Buchanan Street

Withdrawal

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Video: Cars 106, 207 and 120 depart Govan after the final passenger service of second-generation stock in June 2024

Car 122 was withdrawn in October 2015 and stripped of usable equipment in order to provide spare parts for the remaining fleet, being scrapped soon after.[20]

Following the introduction of the Third Generation rolling stock in December 2023 full withdrawal of the fleet commenced with cars 115, 127 and 131. All three cars had been out of service awaiting repairs for some time before being officially withdrawn. [21] As withdrawal continued, scrapping of the cars commenced in April 2024. [22]

Upon withdrawal car 128 was preserved by Glasgow's Riverside Museum, owners of three First Generation subway cars. 128 was moved on display during June 2024. [23]

The final day of operation for the second generation stock was June 28 2024 with cars 106, 207 and 120 performing the final service for inner, And 119, 203 and 103 performing the last for outer operated by the type. [24] In July 2024, SPT announced that old Subway carriages would be given away to charities or sold off for £5,000, potentially to be re-used as glamping pods or other buildings. Any remaining units after August 2024 would then be scrapped.[25]

Third generation (2023–)

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Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) unveiled a £280 million contract with Stadler and Ansaldo STS in 2016 for modernisation of the Subway, including new rolling stock and signalling.[2][3][26][27] Trains were initially expected to enter service in 2020.[4][5]

Seventeen units were built by Stadler Rail at their factory in Altenrhein in eastern Switzerland. Trains feature the potential for driverless operation, an open-gangway design, space for wheelchairs, and compatibility with platform screen doors.[26][27] The new trains are the same length and size as the current trains, but are made up of four carriages rather than the previous three.[26][27]

The new trains were first shown to the public at InnoTrans in Berlin in September 2018.[26][27][28] The first was delivered in May 2019.[29] First testing on the subway took place on 5 December 2021,[30] which involved a test run to Govan Station and recovery by a depot locomotive due to struggles to fit the rolling stock in the existing infrastructure.[30] The trains entered service on 11 December 2023,[31] initially running on weekday afternoons only. The trains entered full service in June 2024 previously running alongside the prior generation. The third generation are now the only rolling stock on the network since the withdrawal of the second generation on 28 June 2024.[32]

Third generation rolling stock
  • A new Stadler unit displayed at the InnoTrans 2018 exhibition
    A new Stadler unit displayed at the InnoTrans 2018 exhibition
  • A third-generation train at West Street
    A third-generation train at West Street
  • Rear red lights of the third-generation units
    Rear red lights of the third-generation units
  • Interior of a third-generation train
    Interior of a third-generation train

References

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  1. ^ "Metro Glasgow EMU" (PDF). Stadler Rail. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Glasgow Subway trains first in UK to run with no staff on board". www.scotsman.com. 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b "New Subway trains unveiled – SPT". SPT. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Subway Revival – Glasgow to introduce UTO". Rail Engineer. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b "New trains unveiled for Glasgow Subway". BBC News. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Glasgow Subway Rolling Stock – a Freedom of Information request to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport". 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  7. ^ "'Confrontational' talks as Glasgow Subway driverless trains delayed to 2022". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ "On this day in 1896: The Glasgow Subway opens". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  9. ^ "1970s Modernisation | Shoogle Club". www.spt.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Glasgow Subway | SPT | Corporate Information | Strathclyde Partnership for Transport". www.spt.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  11. ^ a b Gilbert, Julie (3 September 2017). "A clockwork orange – How the Glasgow Subway has changed through the decades". glasgowlive. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  12. ^ Order placed for Glasgow's tube stock Railway Gazette International March 1975 page 88
  13. ^ Glasgow Underground coaches ordered The Railway Magazine issue 888 April 1975 page 159
  14. ^ ABB wins Clockwork Orange order The Railway Magazine issue 1107 July 1993 page 17
  15. ^ "Scottish Flashback: Glasgow Subway electrification". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  16. ^ a b "A train of many colours – the 10 best UK rail liveries (since privatisation) – Transport Designed". Transport Designed. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Don't Give in to Their Goodbyes, Northern Stars (PTE mainline rail visual identities 1995–2017)". The Beauty of Transport. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  18. ^ a b Braiden, Gerry (15 August 2007). "Glasgow Subway takes on new blue look". The Herald. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  19. ^ "New train livery – SPT". SPT. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Glasgow Subway current fleet - a Freedom of Information request to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport" (PDF). WhatDoTheyKnow. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Glasgow Subway Current Fleet Availability - a Freedom of Information request to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport" (PDF). WhatDoTheyKnow. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  22. ^ https://twitter.com/GlasgowSubway/status/1778801541849182322?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
  23. ^ "Subway carriage from 1980s moved to new home at Glasgow museum". Glasgow Times. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Glasgow's iconic 1980 subway trains retire after 44 years as cart preserved at Riverside Museum - Glasgow Live". www.glasgowlive.co.uk. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Fancy buying an old Glasgow subway carriage? Yours for £5,000". BBC News. 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d "New Glasgow Subway train revealed – Global Rail News". Global Rail News. Global Rail News. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  27. ^ a b c d "InnoTrans 2018: Stadler shows off Glasgow Subway train". RailAdvent. RailAdvent. 21 September 2018. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  28. ^ Marshall, Geoff (20 September 2018). "The NEW Glasgow Subway Trains". Youtube. Geoff Marshall. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  29. ^ First driverless Glasgow subway train delivered Archived 10 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 7 May 2019
  30. ^ a b "New Glasgow Subway train put to the test". BBCNews. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  31. ^ "New trains launch for passengers on Glasgow Subway". BBC News. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Glasgow says goodbye to old subway trains". BBC News. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
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