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This selection of rare and previously unpublished images celebrates the history of these long-serving Electric Multiple Units.

'The author, Colin J Howat, has assembled a comprehensive set of mainly colour photographs to reflect their long service career from entry into service at Glasgow Central up to the final working to Helensburgh Central 40 years later.' * Rail Express Magazine, April 2025 *
'Provides a useful overview of the fleet, while the varied images depict the three-car EMUs in a colourful array of liveries, across each of their key routes.' * Model Rail Magazine, April 2025 *
'This is a quirky and certainly original subject.' * Railways Illustrated Magazine, October 2025 *
'Overall, this is a quirky and certainly original subject.' * Railways Illustrated Magazine, December 2025 *

Colin J. Howat has lived in Ayrshire all his life. He has worked within the rail industry for many years, and has a diploma in photography.