The last of the Glasgow subway’s iconic fleet will make their final journeys on Friday, driven by two drivers with a combined experience of nearly 70 years.
The classic Metro-Cammell trains, introduced to passengers on April 16, 1980 are to make last trips on the network after being replaced by a new fleet in December 2023.
The last two cars are to be driven by Julie Baker with 42 years service with SPT and Eileen MacPhail who has been with the company for 27 years.
The old trains have completed an estimated 2.6m miles each in passenger service, approximately 400,600 loops of the inner and outer system.
STV NewsSPT Chair, Councillor Stephen Dornan said: “It is a sad day for the Subway as we say goodbye to this much-loved fleet.
“They have served us well for many decades.
“I know many of the staff, current and retired, and many passengers have been keen to come along over the last couple of weeks for one last loop round the system.
“One of the legacy cars has made its way to the Riverside Museum so there is still an opportunity to view these train and remember it in all its glory.”
Out with the old, in with the new
One of the old Subway carriages – car 128 – was moved to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow earlier this month.
Stephen Dornan, SPT Chair said: “We are in no doubt as to the importance of these carriages to the transport history of Glasgow, so it is only right and fitting that one should go to Riverside where it can go on display for visitors from the city, and much further afield, to enjoy.
“The legacy fleet has seen many long years of service and some carriages were well beyond their last legs.
“But as we have been working with the museum for some time to discuss the handover, safe transportation, and future preservation of Car 128, we’ve been able to ensure the best train available is being donated to the museum where, hopefully, it will be seen for many more years to come.”
SPTJohn Messner, Curator, Transport and Technology, at Riverside Museum – part of Glasgow Life Museums – said: “For 44 years Car 128 has been a vital part of the city’s transport infrastructure.
“The new trains became local icons from the moment they were introduced in 1980.
“The ‘Clockwork Orange’ trains – as they quickly were nicknamed – hold fond memories for many Glaswegians as well as visitors to the city, and Glasgow Life Museums are proud to have been able to preserve one of these beloved carriages with the help of the team at SPT.”
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