Manufacturer Metro-Cammell Number built 41 cars | Entered service 1980 | |
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Built at Washwood Heath, Birmingham Constructed 1977-79, 1992 (8 trailer cars) Refurbishment 1995 (power cars), 2007 (trailer cars), 2012 | ||
The Glasgow Subway rolling stock serves the Glasgow Subway, the third-oldest underground metro system in the world. The first 33 cars of the current rolling stock was built by Metro Cammell between 1977 and 1979. Eight additional trailer cars were built in 1992. The rolling stock entered service when the subway re-opened after modernisation work on 16 April 1980. The rolling stock is being refurbished ahead of new rolling stock being acquired as part of the upgrade to the subway. Unlike other Metro systems in the United Kingdom, the Subway has a running gauge of 4 ft (1,219 mm).
Contents
Livery
Originally after the 1977–80 modernisation the trains carried a light orange livery with a white stripe and stylised 'Trans-Clyde' branding. However soon the rolling stock were all painted in a darker orange or 'Strathclyde red'. Various minor adjustments to livery were made, including new SPT branding. The trains were given a totally new livery in 2006 when they were painted 'Cream & Carmine'. 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.
Some trains carry special liveries for advertising. These are normally found on the middle carriage on a train. These carriages are normally given a wrap in the design for the advert intended and are then used for the period of sponsorship; these wraps can then be removed and the subway carriage can use its orange livery.
Previous rolling stock
The previous rolling stock was largely built in 1896, with additional trailer carriages added over the following 19 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 This rolling stock was converted from cable to electric traction in 1935 and finally withdrawn from service in 1977 upon the closure of the railway for modernisation.