{"id":300893,"date":"2025-10-13T20:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=183640"},"modified":"2025-10-13T20:03:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:03:00","slug":"alstom-celebrates-scottish-rail-depots-150th-birthday-with-unique-locomotive-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=300893","title":{"rendered":"Alstom celebrates Scottish rail depot\u2019s 150th birthday with unique locomotive lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, <\/a>has opened its Glasgow Traincare Centre to the public for the first time in 25 years to celebrate the historic depot\u2019s 150th anniversary \u2013 Polmadie 150.<\/p>\n

Located around two miles south-east of Glasgow Central railway station, the Alstom facility is currently the main base of the iconic Caledonian Sleeper service, where it is maintained and cleaned by over 100 staff who provide a round-the-clock service. Known as Polmadie Depot, it typically welcomes 17 trains per day, including Avanti West Coast\u2019s fleet of Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolinos.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolmadie stands as more than a depot \u2013 it represents a beacon of engineering excellence and a vital pillar in Scotland\u2019s rich railway heritage. For 150 years, this site has played a crucial role in keeping the country moving, and we\u2019re incredibly proud of the dedicated teams who continue that tradition today,\u2019 said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cOpening our doors to the public for the first time in a generation is not only a celebration of our past, but a powerful reminder of the innovation and talent that will drive the future of sustainable rail in the UK. It\u2019s a privilege to honour this milestone with the community, and showcase the people and technology that make Polmadie so special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally opened as Polmadie Shed on 16 September 1875 by the Caledonian Railway company, it was subsequently rebuilt and extended for the maintenance of steam engines and rolling stock \u2013 some of which returned to the site as part of Polmadie 150 on Sunday 12 October. British Railways assigned the code 66A to the depot.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPolmadie Depot is a living monument to Glasgow\u2019s proud railway heritage and industrial ingenuity. For 150 years, it has been at the heart of Scotland\u2019s rail operations, and Alstom\u2019s open day is a fitting tribute to the generations of skilled workers who have dedicated their careers to benefiting passenger journeys and freight flows. It\u2019s inspiring to see this iconic site continue to evolve, while honouring its remarkable past,\u201d said Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow, and Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Veterans.<\/p>\n

Arriving on a mixture of heritage and modern shuttle buses from Glasgow Central \u2013 provided by Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust<\/a>, Scottish Vintage Bus Museum<\/a> and McGill\u2019s<\/a> \u2013 over one thousand visitors to Alstom\u2019s Glasgow Traincare Centre were welcomed by a unique lineup of more than 20 rail vehicles that have been based at the depot over the last 150 years:<\/p>\n