IN WHICH WE END UP AT CHARING CROSS

Hello again. Our first stop on our quest to reach Central Glasgow is at Govan, where we happen across Greater Glasgow LA425. 

Govan is home to the workshops of the Glasgow Subway and here's a peek inside in 1976.

The Subway had its own locomotive for engineering duties.

Now it's 1981 and the old cars are withdrawn and dumped in the yard at Govan.

We could take the Subway under the Clyde....

....but then we'd miss these RN vessels on the Clyde near Govan.

On the north bank of the Clyde is Scotstoun, where Albion once made their road vehicles. In 1999 some vehicles were brought back for the day. Here's an Albion car of 1900.

A more recent Albion lorry.

To the north is the Forth & Clyde Canal at Anniesland, where we see Lock 27 and the pub of the same name nearby. 

Not far away was this brewpub, but sadly these photographs are all history now.

Back south to Partick, where there's interchange with Scotrail, the Subway and buses.

A visit to Dr. Thirsty's Ale House was once compulsary when in Partick, but I think it's closed now. Let me know if I'm wrong please.

When the transport museum at Pollowshields was closed, the exhibits were moved to Kelvinhall and here are a few photos from that location in 1998.

Since the, a new museum has opened, which I have yet to visit.

On the Clyde, near Anderston, the famous paddle steamer Waverley, in a blizzard in February 1996.

Western SMT once had a small bus station at Anderston, since closed.

I promised you central Glasgow and we've arrived.....at Charing Cross station.

Close by is the excellent State Bar.

We conclude this post at one of my favourites, the Bon Accord.

We'll look at the rest of Glasgow city centre in the next post.

SOUTH GLASGOW

From Pollockshaws, it's not far to Cathcart and Mount Florida, which is the nearest station to the Clockwork brewpub. I don't think it brews here anymore and the "house beers" are by Tryst.

Less than two miles to the east is Croftfoot, consisting of suburban housing. Greater Glasgow PTE used to service these estates.

Croftfoot also has a railway station, served by frequent electric services.

Further out of town is Kirkhill station - some trains terminated here.

One stop to the east, Newton station, beside the WCML

A reversal here sees us heading back towards Glasgow city centre, passing Rutherglen steel works en route, where we find this ex Leicester Leyland with Parks of Hamilton, awaiting a shift change.

Just to the north, but over the Clyde, is Dalmarnock, where Glasgow kept some of its horse-drawn trams.

Back to the south bank of the Clyde, to Polmadie loco shed in LMS days. (Photographer unknown - my collection).

56239 was found there in the early 1960s.

In the inner suburbs of South Glasgow is Pollockshields East station, viewed in 1976.

A Glasgow tram is seen nearby.

Also, at Pollockshields, this GGPTE Ailsa AV8.

Pollockshields was the site of the old Scottish Transport Museum. It has since moved - twice. Here are just a few of the exhibits.

Nearby was once a pub called the Samuel Dow. I think it's closed now and certainly real ale is no longer sold.

We conclude this post with a visit to Shelds Depot Open Day in 1978. All photos by Les Flint.

The next post will find us exploring central Glasgow. See where we've been here.

A BRIEF WESTERLY INTRUSION

The new town of East Kilbride is next on our list of places to be visited. It's served by rail, at the end of what is now a branch line.

Central SMT had a depot in East Kilbride.

 

Over the years there were some interesting towing vehicles.

At the town's bus station, Kelvin Central had put in an appearance.

East Kilbride was also served by Strathclyde PTE.

Independents included White Ribbon and Gilchrists.

We now take a westerly trajectory to the Millhouse Hotel at Stewarton.

About turn! We're off to Lugton. The Lugton Inn once brewed its own beer, but no longer serves any real ale.

Nearby was the Paraffin Lamp, a Whitbread house. It's since changed its name and is free of cask ale.

At the end of the Glasgow suburban network is Neilston station.

Crawford's of Neilston was mainly an operator of contract services.

Next up, the town of Barrhead. Here's the railway station in 1970 (Ben Brooksbank CC).

Barrhead signal box survived in 1991.

Barrhead was once home to McGill's, one of the Paisley area independents, not to be confused by the new McGills.

Arriva also operated into Barrhead.

What a shame that the Cross Stobs Inn no longer serves real ale, as it's a great historic pub.

So we move into the South Glasgow suburbs, to a Wetherspoon's pub, the Sir John Stirling Maxwell at Pollockshaws.

I'll say good night from here. See you in the next post.