Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

North British Locomotive Company's administration building, c 1910

After the merger of Neilson, Reid and Company, Sharp, Stewart and Company, and Dübs and Company in 1903, it was necessary to centralise the administration of all three works. In 1909, this magnificent building, designed by James Miller, was opened as the headquarters of the North British Locomotive Company. The building was used as a military hospital from 1914-1918.

Over the doorway, a sculpture of a North British 'Atlantic' class locomotive, with chains and haulage gears as swags, is flanked by two classical figures representing 'speed' and 'science'. An oak-panelled staircase leads up to a memorial stained-glass window commemorating the fallen of the first world war. There were administration and recreation facilities on the first three floors, and the drawing offices were situated in the attic.

After the liquidation of the North British Locomotive Company in 1961, the building was bought by Glasgow Corporation and used as an annexe of Stow College, until becoming Springburn College of Engineering in 1965 and Springburn College in 1981. After merging with Barmulloch College, its name changed to Glasgow North College.

Source: Glasgow City Archives