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1 - Glasgow Central |
Opened in 1879 and extended in 1905, Glasgow Central is still Scotland's busiest station. It may not have the variety of stock working in and out of the station as it once had, but it is still an interesting place to pass an afternoon or evening. Platform 11a is the best vantage point, being out on the Clyde viaduct at the station throat, where all workings in and out of the station can clearly be seen. The history of the station is well documented in the several books, particularly "Glasgow Stations" by Johnston, C. and Hume, J.R. and "The Caledonian Railway" by O.S. Nock.
Track plan of Glasgow Central c1908 following completion of the new Clyde viaduct, drawn up based on the drawing in "The Caledonian Railway" by O.S. Nock and other photographs of the station approaches. The diagram will not be totally accurate as there were some photographic "blind spots", particularly the approaches from no's 5 to 7 lines at the South side of the Clyde viaduct.
The track plan of Glasgow Central today dates from the 1961 when the old Clyde viaduct was demolished and all traffic was concentrated on the six tracks on the new viaduct. Remarkably little has changed in the basic layout of the station. Platform 11a was formed when the old dock sidings were done away with. The letters W to Z are used by the theatre style route indicators to indicate to drivers which track will be used to route their train. Although the station has a very flexible layout, the platforms used for the various services are fairly predictable. Ayr, Gourock and Weymss Bay services have almost exclusive use of platforms 12 and 13, and also use platforms 9, 10 and 11. Cathcart Circle, Newton and Neilston services, along with trains for destinations on the former G.S.W.R line normally use platforms 3 to 8. Intercity services normally use platforms 1, 2, 10 or 11. The tracks shown in blue are non running lines and those in green were shown on the original signalling diagram but have since been removed. Most signals will still be as they were on the diagram I have which dates from 1973 but again I cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, especially in the number of routes which the theatre indicators can show.
This view of an HST, departing under clear signals via No.5 Line shows the complex track layout on the approach to the Clyde Viaduct. A class 91 is approaching in the background.
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This evening view of the station shows a class 303 approaching the station from No 6 line and being routed across the bridge on line "Z", the most flexible approach route, which allows access to platforms 3 to 11 by thirteen different combinations of route. The points in the foreground are set normal so the train will enter either platforms 10 or 11. Another route has been set for a departing service via line "W" and number 3 line. Note the ex-works class 90 in platform 11a. The area in the middle foreground, where the relay boxes now stand was a dock line until the late 1960's |
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Apart from the semaphore signals, the most obvious difference in this view is the series of short sidings and docks where platform 11a now stands. Close analysis of the original illustration would suggest that the photograph was taken in the mid 1950's as a Britannia class pacific can just be seen in the distance and the Coca Cola advert is visible on the right. The old photographs were scanned from a booklet produced by British Rail, Scotland, in 1979 to mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Station. The booklet was published without photographic credits, copyright details or any of the usual publishing details. If anyone has further information about these photographs please let me know. |
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| Another lovely view taken from a Gantry to the South end of the old Clyde Viaduct shortly before it was taken out of use in 1960. Photograph taken by and used with the kind permission of retired signalman William Robertson | |
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When Glasgow Central signal box was built in 1907 it was the largest in the world, with 374 levers. The average number of trains using the station was around 600, and there were far more light engine and empty coaching stock movements then. |
| G86, The current four aspect colour light signal controlling movements
from line Z. The signal has a double theatre indication, in order
to show 7U, for no.7 up line, and a two position shunting signal with four
further indicators for the carriage sidings and engine line. To the
right of the shunting signal is the yellow "call on" aspect.
The semaphore signal has the same basic components, a main arm, shunt arm and destination indicator showing a route set from the old viaduct into platform 4. |
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| Two early views of the interior of Glasgow Central Signaling Centre. The gentleman who supplied these photographs and the panorama above, Mr. William Robertson is standing in the centre of the right hand photograph. | |
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Another view of the main departure gantry spanning tracks w,x,y and z, showing four simultaneous departures signalled from the platforms on the 10th of November 1999. On "w" a Virgin trains service to Euston has a green light via line 1, on "x" a two car class 101 is cleared onto track 3. A class 156 for Barrhead will depart via track 5 and an ecs from platform 10 is being routed via track 7. |
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The detail of the Clyde viaduct, as seen from the adjacent road bridge, with a class 318 approaching the station
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