Springburn Virtual Museum

Railway industry

Diesel Multiple Unit repair shop, Cowlairs, 1964

As early as the amalgamation of 1923, engine manufacture and repair began to be centralised in England, at places such as Crewe, Doncaster and Derby. In 1962, British Rail decided to close 13 of its 29 workshops, and Cowlairs was one of those ultimately closed, leaving St Rollox as the sole remaining railway works in Springburn.

Springburn's railway manufacturers had attempted unsuccessfully to develop the newer diesel-electric and diesel-hydraulic technologies, but were ultimately too 'steam-minded'. British Rail would cease to use steam engines in 1968.

In 1956, the North British Locomotive Company had begun to convert to diesel, but had to borrow £3 million to do so. The engines they produced were not very good.

Source: Glasgow City Archives