HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM (A MAN WI' NAE TROOSERS)

 Leaving Paisley behind, we come to Glasgow Airport, where we find an Airbus 320, registered G-MIDT.

In a hanger at the airport, some preserved buses.

Nearby is South Renfrew, where there was once a railway station.

The railway to Renfrew is long gone, so buses are the best means of transport.

Most buses from Paisley ran through Renfrew town centre to the banks of the Clyde at Renfrew Ferry. Here we find a Cunningham's bus ready to return home.

Next to Izzi's ice cream factory at Renfrew Ferry was the depot of Paton Bros. 

After the demise of Paton Bros, Silver Fox Coaches occupied the depot yard.

Following the departure of this 'Self Hire(!)' van, we'll take the ferry across the Clyde.

On the north side we soon come to Clyebank, where a Leyland Olympian of Strathclyde PTE is seen.

The vehicles of Kelvin Central could also be found at Clydebank.

The buses of the previous two operators later became part of Firstbus.

Several independent operators served Clydebank, including McColl's, Avondale, Glasgow Citybus and Weir;s.

Somewhat to the west of Clydebank is Dalmuir Park station, where two Glasgow suburban lines merge together.

In Dalmuir itself was the depot of Messrs Stewart, with some interesting buses including a 'midi' Seddon.

At Dalmuir West, we see Greater Glasgow PTE LA1311 and a towing vehicle.

At a nearby riverside sewage works, the MV Dalmarnock is moored. More about this vessel and its sisters can be found here.

Onwards to Old Kilpatrick, where Central SMT had a depot.

We now recross the Clyde, via the Irskine Bridge.

In Erskine village, a Kelvin Alexander 'Y' type bus was found in 1986.

To the west of Erskine is Bishopton station, photographed by the Late Ben Brooksbank in 1961.

Bishopton was the site of a Royal Ordnance Factory and goods were transferred between standard and narrow gauge vehicles (Photo in my collection, photographer unknown).

Now we head for Houston, where there's the Fox & Hounds.

Attached to the pub was the Houston Brewery and we're greeted by the brewer.... wearing a kilt.

The pub no longer has a brewery today, but is still going strong.

The next post will see us heading along the Clyde. Follow the route here.

JUST PAISLEY

In the last post I promised you Paisley and here it is. We'll start at the main railway station, Gilmour Street, where 'Clan' No. 72004 is seen.

Services on the line towards Ayr and Stranraer were later operated by these Swindon built DMUs.

The line to Ayr and Largs is now electrified.

 Electric trains also run to Gourock and Wemyss Bay.

They like to keep the streets clean in Paisley.

There are some historical areas of the town.

Western SMT was once the major bus operator.

The split of Western SMT meant the birth of Clydeside.

Clydeside bacame part of Arriva, though that firm has now pulled out of most of Scotland.

Strathclyde PTE also served Paisley.

Firstbus took over the PTE.

Paisley was once served by several independents. Cunningham's, based in the town, was one.

Graham's Bus Service, from nearby Hawkhead, used their fleet of yellow vehicles on service. Two ex London buses seen here, the Routemaster being owned by Clydeside.

Paton Bros., from Renfrew, could be found in Paisley.

The other 'traditional' independent was McGill's of Barrhead.

A myriad of small operators have sprung up since deregulation. These include Dart, Gibson, Quarriers and Riverside. 

It's beer time now and we'll start at the former GPO building, now a Wetherspoons called the Last Post.

I'm not certain that Jay's Bar still exists.

Sadly, the Tannahills no longer sells real ale.

No cask ale now at the Abbey Bar either.

Luckily, the Wee Howff is a long standing purveyor of the decent stuff.

Another great pub and a good one to finish off our visit to Paisley - the Bull Inn.

The next post will see us closer to the Clyde.