Railway Metropolis - Two walks through North Glasgow's industrial past from the heights of Springburn Park to Glasgow's East End
At their height before 1914, the complex of locomotive works in north Glasgow employed about 15,000 workers and was the largest concentration of such works in Europe and probably the world at that time. Some 75% of the trains that connected the British Empire, from South Africa to India, were build in Springburn. Locomotive building ended in 1962 though some repair facilities have remained. These two linked walks will give participants an insight into Glasgow's other heavy industry, which was as important as shipbuilding.
Part I, the Springburn loop will explore some of Glasgow's lesser known industrial and architectural heritage, including the Springburn Winter Gardens and James Miller’s offices for the North British Locomotive Company, which will be open to participants. It will also reveal the location of one of Rennie MacIntosh's earliest commissions. Part II of the walk will also take a short tour inside the former North British Locomotive Company offices before heading down from the heights Springburn past the former St Rollox Locomotive Works, and through the Garngad to Dennistoun, finishing, appropriately, at Alexandra Parade railway station. Ian R. Mitchell is the author of ‘Walking Through Glasgow’s Industrial Past’ |
Tues 17th, Part 1: 11am; 90, mins, Part 2: 1:30pm; 105 mins
Meeting point: Springburn Railway Station Booking essential: 0141 552 1331, www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/events Accessibility: Not accessible - Each of the walks is at least 4km and will take at least 1 and ½ hours each to complete. Nearest Train/Subway: Springburn Railway Station. Parking: No. glasgowheritage.org.uk
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