Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

'Siberia' (the Cowlairs wagon shop), 1920s

Rolling stock of every kind - such as wagons, oil tanks and brake vans - were made here. It was the largest railway shop in Britain and up to 600 men worked here at any one time.

Wood for wagons and carriages was cut in the sawmill. After joiners had built the carriages, they were completed by other craftsmen such as upholsterers and painters.

As there was no heating before 1948, the carriage and wagon shop was always the coldest place to work, hence the nickname of 'Siberia'.

Source: Glasgow City Archives