Its not a museum which we cover a huge amount on British Trams Online – with the same trams having been on display for some time in the same positions – but we do today as we tae a look at what is on offer at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum. Home to the largest single collection of Glasgow tramcars anywhere the museum packs an awful lot into its building as in addition to the trams there are vehicles of many different types including from the Glasgow Subway, railways and buses, in fact you name it they probably have one of them on display! Trevor Hall paid a visit back in 2021 we see the trams on display in this article.
Where would museums be without display horses for horse drawn vehicles! The only non-electric trams at Riverside is 1894 built 543 complete with two fake horses – although we don’t know where they think they’re taking the tram as the track runs out pretty sharpish!
Room and Kitchen tram, no. 672 is seen on display here. Built in 1898 this was one of Glasgow’s first electric trams but would only be used in passenger service for eight years before conversion into a works car.
1900 built 779 is one of the extensive fleet of Standard trams which ran in Glasgow with many of them being preserved as well. 779 is in the Red route livery and represents the condition these trams could be found around 1910.
This view shows 1088 on display. Another Standard Car this one originally entered service in 1924 and has been preserved in its open balcony condition. It carries the blue route colour livery.
We’re used to most Glasgow trams being double deckers but 1089 is an experimental single decker which entered service in 1926 although didn’t prove to be a great success as it was slow loading because of a narrow entrance. It remained in service until 1961.
Coronation Car 1173 dates from 1939 and is in its original condition at Riverside. When the museum first opened this was the only one of the trams which wasn’t on display but was soon moved there and is likely to remain in public view now.
The seventh and final tram on display at Riverside is 1392, a 1952 Cunarder class tram. Only having ten years in service before closure of the tramway it is displayed in its post 1958 condition. (All Photographs by Trevor Hall, 16th June 2021)
Hi
You may wish to amend 1088’s caption as it’s preserved in fully-enclosed condition.
Cheers
Michael