On 4th September 1962 it was the end of an era in Glasgow when the final tram route ran for the last time bringing to an end 90 years of tramway operation in Scotland’s second city. With this year being the 50th anniversary of this occasion a number of events are being celebrated to commemorate it with the most high profile one being at Crich Tramway Village over the weekend of 15th and 16th September.
We have reported extensively on the plans for one of the most anticipated tram events of 2012 at Crich but we have now been informed of further plans for the event. As previously mentioned Paisley 68 has been repainted as Glasgow 1068 in the blue route livery and this is to be launched on Saturday 15th September at 1115. A piper will march in front of the
tram as it leaves the Depot dressed in full Scottish attire. And why the time 1115? Well this is because Glasgow 1115 has been removed from the Exhibition Hall for the event to allow the “once in a lifetime” photo opportunity of all five Glasgow route colours together.
Away from Crich there will also be events to commemorate the occasion at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. There are new displays on the trams and in addition Glasgow Coronation 1173 has entered the Museum having originally not been included as part of the display when Riverside opened last year. This tram has received limited refurbishment work during its time off display and will replace a mock-up of a ScotRail class 380 EMU. It is planned that 1173 will remain on display permanently now it is there.
The heritage tramway at Summerlee are also planning to commemorate the occasion although no details have been released as to what these celebrations will consist of.
With thanks to the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society for information contained within this article.
- An article on Glasgow’s trams has also appeared on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-19474957
Thank you for an interesting note. I am going to Glasgow at the end of September to visit the new Transport Museum, so it is nice to know that the Corornation is back on public display. As a 16 year old I took quite a few photos of the trams which took part in the final procession, in Albert Drive Glasgow a few days before the finale, a few even in colour including 1173. I also got a seat on one of the trams in the final procession on 4 September 1962, imediately behind 1282, which is now at Crich and have a couple of B&W photos of it in the procession. Unfortunately the weather that evening became terrible as the procession advanced through the city.