Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

Opening of the Glasgow and Garnkirk railway, 1831

The Glasgow and Garnkirk railway opened in 1831 and was financed by Charles Tennant & Company of St. Rollox chemical works. The opening of this railway line marked the start of an association with the railway industry which was to make Springburn the largest manufacturer of locomotives in Europe.

The line passed through the southern end of Springburn where the company had built a small railway works. These works were later absorbed into the St Rollox works.

The steam engine in the sketch has no cab for the driver and fireman, a feature of early locomotives which meant that locomotive drivers and firemen worked in all weathers.

Source: Glasgow City Archives