This batch of Wolverton-built classic 1960s EMUs were constructed for the North East London electrified networks. The first 52 three car sets were introduced for the Liverpool Street-Enfield and Chingford lines, with all seats in second class saloon layouts, with passenger doors by each bay.
The second batch of 19 AM5s were introduced for services to Bishops Stortford and Hertford East and were later used on Southend and Clacton routes.
After displacement on the Eastern Region by more modern classes the 305s found other areas of work, namely in the Manchester area working on suburban routes from Manchester Piccadilly and in Scotland working on the Edinburgh-North Berwick route.
A number of reformations took place over the years, especially when fleet numbers were reduced on the eastern region, this saw for a short time the operation of sets classified as 305/3 which were formed of a mix of Class 302 and 305 vehicles.
At the end of 2001 a handful of sets remain in use in Scotland but these are scheduled for withdrawal in early 2002.