Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

James Reid, proprietor of Neilson, Reid & Company of Springburn, c 1880

James Reid was born in Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, in 1823 and served his engineering apprenticeship in Airdrie and in the Kilmarnock Foundry Company. In 1851 Reid went to work for Walter Neilson for the first time, as manager of the Hyde Park Street works in Finnieston. He left to go to Sharp, Stewart & Company in 1858 but returned to manage the Springburn Works in 1863, later becoming a partner in the firm.

James Reid took over the firm ten years later and in 1893 his four sons became partners, with the firm being renamed Neilson, Reid & Company in 1898. By 1900 it was the largest locomotive firm in Britain, employing 3,500 men and capable of building 300 engines a year.

The Reid family dominated Springburn, which their mansion, Belmont House, overlooked. As well as running the works they donated the public halls, the land for Springburn Library and an extension to Springburn Park, the Winter Gardens and many other amenities in Springburn. Reid died in 1894, playing golf at St. Andrews.

Source: Glasgow City Archives