For sale – Glasgow tube car

A RARE opportunity has arisen to acquire a restored carriage from the Glasgow underground system after the owner’s plans for it fell through.

Built in 1896 by Hurst Nelson, the 4ft gauge car is currently located in Southam, Warwickshire and sits on its bogies on a short length of track.

Kevin McLuskey, its owner, said: “I love trains – I also run the 10¼in gauge railway at Brooklands Pleasure Park, Worthing. We had a café there. We were going to turn this carriage into a bistro, but the local authority wanted to redevelop the park, so we’re now offering car T7 for sale.”

McAlpine connection

Withdrawn upon the system’s modernisation in 1977, T7 was stored until purchased by the late Sir William McAlpine, before being displayed at the National Railway Museum in York. After being acquired by a private individual, the car returned to Glasgow for storage at Possil bus garage. In early 2007, T7 moved to Beith Transport Museum, Ayrshire.

Kevin said: “The then owner started restoring it, but partway through, the premises it was housed in was sold by the landlord. The owner had to sell everything. I bought T7 and restored it. I’ve carried out the work to a high standard – I’ve double-skinned it and it’s watertight.

Survivor

“I love doing things up. I’ve previously restored a horse-drawn carriage. While it’s been finished for its intended use as a seating area, the original fittings have been retained.”

According to the Vintage Carriages Trust database, parts of 10 Glasgow District Subway Company cars survive. However, other than No. 7, the three complete, restored survivors include 1901-built Driving Motor Open car 55 at Bo’ness, 1896-built Gripper car 1 (later Driving Motor) at the Glasgow Museum of Transport and 1898-built Trailer Third No. 9 at the Glasgow Riverside Museum.

Read more News and Features in Issue 243 of HR – on sale now!

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