Saved! Last minute deal will rescue Glasgow's iconic subway carriages

They were a familiar and much-loved sight to thousands of Scottish commuters and shoppers.

Now hopes have been raised that an eleventh-hour deal can be struck to save some of Glasgow’s Clockwork Orange subway trains from the scrapyard – and see them used instead as movie props and ‘glamping’ pods.

It is feared the trains, which had ferried passengers around since the 1980s, could be lost, with supporters including former Pop Idol judge and record producer Pete Waterman and designer and TV host Anna Campbell-Jones among those voicing dismay at the move.

However, Ben Denton-Cardew, a rail industry lawyer, is in talks which he hopes will see around ten – about a third of the total – saved.

The Suffolk train enthusiast, who formerly lived in Glasgow, said: ‘I attended the university in Glasgow and so have travelled on these old trains many hundreds of times. 

'I read that they were being scrapped and thought that was a real shame. It would be such a loss of Scottish railway heritage.’

So far, only one carriage has been saved – Car 128 – which is on ­display at Glasgow’s Riverside transport museum.

The rest were acquired by Swiss firm Stadler Rail as part of the deal that saw them replaced, with new trains phased in this year. ­

Stadler is looking for £5,000 for each carriage, although it says this can be waived for charities or not-for-profit groups if they seal a deal before the end of August.

Mr Denton-Cardew has already saved some mohair seats from the old trains and said: ‘I have clients – actual and potential – lined up, including film companies and rail heritage sites in Scotland, and there has been great interest in saving these trains.’ 

The trains are stored at the Glasgow Subway depot in Govan but are due to go to scrap by the end of next month.

Mr Denton-Cardew said: ‘To me and many others, the subway carriages are more than just trains. They are part of the fabric of this city and that is something which is fundamentally worth preserving.’

Ms Campbell-Jones, a judge on BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year, and who began her career designing the fabric of the old trains, said: ‘These trains are important and it is vital some are saved.’

Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, who has backed moves to preserve the trains, said: ‘We have just a few more weeks before they are scrapped, so time is of the essence.

‘This is a one-off chance to save an irreplaceable piece of Glasgow and Scotland’s industrial and transport heritage.’ 

A Stadler spokesman said: ‘The legacy fleet is gradually being withdrawn and disposed of responsibly. We have received inquiries [regarding their availability] and these are currently under review.

‘Should any individual or organisation like to learn more about acquiring one, they’re advised to contact Stadler no later than the end of August.’

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