How The Glasgow Subway Was Built

The Glasgow Subway, which first opened in December 1896, is generally regarded to be the third oldest metro system in the world; just behind the London Underground and the Budapest Metro.
In this video, we’ll be looking at how the Glasgow Subway was planned and built in the 1890s. As you’ll see, it’s quite a story (and apologies in advance to Scottish viewers for any mispronunciations!) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
This is a ‘Robslondon Visits’ documentary, in which I explore places outside my usual area. If you have any ideas for future Robslondon Visits videos, please do let me know in the comments.
As ever, a huge thank you is in order to all of you who support this channel. Your comments, likes and shares mean so much to me.
If you haven’t yet subscribed, I’d appreciate it very much if you could please consider doing so. This will ensure you don’t miss out on any future content, and will also help the channel to grow.
A special thanks also to Elaine and Neil MacDonald, who assisted me in exploring the locations featured in this video.
And thank you too to Nick B for pointing out a very silly error when I first uploaded this video, which I’ve since corrected!
If you’d like to know more the cable-hauled Tower Subway, please be sure to check out my earlier video on London’s Quirkiest Railways:
• London's Top 20 Quirki...
If you’re interested in my hand drawn Glasgow Subway mug designs, they can be found at my Etsy Store:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/robsonli...
My website:
robslondon.com/
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Music used in this video:
Hammock Fight (Kevin Macleod)
Doh De Oh (Kevin Macleod)
Royal Banana (Kevin Macleod)
Breaktime (Kevin Macleod)
Dark Hallway (Kevin Macleod)
Baroom Ballet (Kevin Macleod)
Five Card Shuffle (Kevin Macleod)
Local Forecast- Elevator (Kevin Macleod)
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Illustrations by Robert Lordan.
***
Thanks again for watching, friends. Stay well and stay tuned!

[@clairehislop5873]

(Glaswegian here) love going on the subway, could sit on it all day. Saw London's subway for the 1st time this year & found it really cool (certainly felt different)

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Claire, thank you 😊

[@adventuresbytrainwales9558]

RobsLondon video release days are great days!

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me. Thank you so much.

[@thewrecker3140]

Summed up in a nutshell, brilliant comment.

[@kjh23gk]

Such an amazing video, and as a Scotsman thank you for making it! It hadn't occurred to me that some of the early tunnels were excavated by candle-light. What an astonishing feat!

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate the kind words, thank you! I love Scotland ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@ZL54JK8]

I grew up in Glasgow after the war and the subway was a part of my life. This excellent video brought back many memories, and the additional historical information and wide range of photos is quite superb. Another person has commented on the unique aroma that used to waft out of the tunnels. I would love to smell that again. Then there was the distinctive "whoosh" of the Westinghouse brakes as the train entered the station. You had the impression that serious speed was involved here! Although the old subway is rightly praised for its efficient and reliable service, it's perhaps worth mentioning that it was but one part of the Glasgow Corporation Transport system, overseen by the indefatigable E R L Fitzpayne, its general manager. There was a large and varied bus fleet, and originally tramcars and trolleybuses as well. Glaswegians were served admirably by the "Corporation Transport", and those who are bus or tram enthusiasts have endless scope in bygone Glasgow.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this; what a beautiful comment. Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and memories! I’d love to have experienced the old Glasgow trams- one of my favourite short films is ‘Nine Dalmuir West’; often chokes me up a little when I watch it. Would be fantastic to see trams back in the great city of Glasgow. Many thanks again and stay well 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@donnaphilbin6563]

The 🔆

[@hoofie2002]

The day Strathclyde Transport went was a bad day as the integrated management and ticketing was really good.

[@watchmakersp9935]

Thanks Rob...great video..best on the Glasgow subway (where my parents are from) i have seen.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks indeed! Funnily enough I’m in Glasgow at the moment and was on the Subway earlier! 😉 Thanks again and stay well

[@karlproctor7526]

I travel up to Glasgow quite a bit for work. I’ve never been on the subway. Really tempted to now. Thanks for the video. Really enjoyed it.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Karl! Give it a go if you can ;-) Thanks and stay well.

[@mauromazzoncini5711]

Fantastic video Rob ,thanks for sharing 😊😊

[@Robslondon]

It's an absolute pleasure Mauro, thank you for watching!

[@dminalba]

Thanks from a Glaswegian that loves the London Underground as much as I love the Glasgow Subway

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure; I love Glasgow 😉 Thanks and stay well.

[@dminalba]

There’s even a song about the Subway by Francie & Josie (Rikki Fulton & Jack Milroy) There’s Partick Cross & Cessnock, Hillheid & Merkland Street, George’s Cross & Govan Cross where all the people meet, West Street, Shields Road the train goes round & round, You’ve never lived unless you’ve been on the Glasgow Undergound kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqeyZYadrKxniK8

[@Robslondon]

@@dminalba Yes, it’s a great song! I was hoping to include a clip of it in the intro to the next (and final) installment in this series but I don’t think copyright will allow it sadly.

[@dminalba]

@@Robslondon might need to have a wee hurl on the subway cos I’m moving in 2-3 months to millport

[@mebrithiel]

fae edinburgh here and gottae admit glaswegians are some of the best people in the world and i absolutely love going over there and especially when my antics involve the subway!

[@Robslondon]

Well said ;-)

[@mebrithiel]

@@Robslondon on a slightly different topic, I came across your channel from the Thames source vid and I gottae admit, your presentation and vid quality is extremely soothing and pleasant. Instant subscribe

[@Robslondon]

@@mebrithiel I really appreciate that mebrithiel, thank you. It's good to have you here!

[@ZenoWatson]

Fantastic information Rob, thank you

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Zeno, thank you.

[@lukegreen5341]

12:01 I've Used To Go To The Glasgow Subway System Railway In Glasgow In Scotland Back In May 2010 And It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Mate. X

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure Luke; thanks so much for watching, really appreciate the kind words. Stay well!

[@hoofie2002]

Why haven't I found these videos before? I have a number of books on the subway but these videos are extremely well done and enjoyable.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much for the kind words Graeme, really appreciate it and so glad you found the video! Thanks again and stay well.

[@ronaldbayne1431]

Fascinating. Travelled as a schoolboy commuter daily to Kelvinbridge and the long climb to Great Western road. Great. Thanks. Rmb

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks for the kind words Ronald; much appreciated. Stay well sir.

[@martybhoy72]

St Enoch was part of the Beeching cuts. Great video

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Martin. Yes, it’s criminal isn’t it… looked like an incredible building. Cheers and stay well.

[@brianparker663]

Pleased to see your generous nature bringing your high standard work to the people of Scotland :-) . Only on loan from London I hope!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Brian! I’ve got very close ties with Scotland and love the place dearly, but don’t worry, London won’t be neglected 😉

[@thewrecker3140]

What a beautiful comment.

[@TheGrowler55]

Glaswegian through and through and I love the Subway, great Video bud. 🇬🇧😎

[@Robslondon]

Really appreciate that, thanks 😉

[@simontaylor2319]

1896...yes I remember the opening day.......Interesting programmer, thanks

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@angelachouinard4581]

I just want to let you know I think your work is highly professional. I watch a lot of shows and videos on civil engineering and this is is as good or better than anything the big networks put out, Looking forward to the rest.

[@Robslondon]

That means so much to me Angela; bless you. Many thanks and stay well.

[@jean-pierresharp8050]

Great video Rob. Can't wait for the next installment. The cable system that was devised to propel the carriages was amazing. I had no idea the line used a cable system - Ingenious!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Jean-Pierre! Yes, the early system sounds great. I should've said, but the model of the cable house I filmed (that you can briefly see around the 14.42 mark) is original; you can see it in Glasgow's Riverside Museum which is well worth a visit if you haven't already been. Thanks again and stay well.

[@cossie6824]

It’s good you had to reupload this video!! It gave me the chance to like it again!!! 😁😁😁

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Cossie! 😁 You’ve got Nick B to thank for that; he noticed my very daft mistake regarding the Greathead Shield! Thanks again and stay well.

[@gigteevee6118]

Love the Mini-Tube, been on it once, quite adorable.

[@Robslondon]

Well said ;-)

[@johnsharp8632]

An excellent video Rob and I look forward to further episodes. This really was an engineering masterpiece of its time with the cable drawing machinery and huge boiler room. As always at that time many brave (or desperate for the work) men gave their lives in building the Subway. I visited Glasgow many times during my working life, but regret never having travelled on it. The current trains look very smart.

[@Robslondon]

Good comment John, thanks

[@BlaiddLlwyd]

A good video. I know of the Glasgow Subway but nothing about the history of the system, thanks to you I'm now better informed.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you 😊

[@BetterThanMeOfCourse]

I’ve used the subway many times but I never once thought about how it passes the river. So the tunnels go underneath? Not in the water? Another thing was the depth. 150 feet at its lowest? I’ve never felt like the subway was travelling downwards which is odd since 150+ feet would have to be quite the incline. I’d love to see a picture or map of the tracks showing how this is achieved.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Laura. Yes it goes beneath the riverbed- and I know what you mean, it’s difficult to know it goes up and down, I guess the gradient is quite a long one.

[@BetterThanMeOfCourse]

@@Robslondon So fascinating. Thank you for making this, I tried to research out of curiosity how it all works but this is the most comprehensive info I have found. Much appreciated :)

[@Robslondon]

@@BetterThanMeOfCourse It’s a pleasure Laura, thank you so much for watching!

[@bryan3550]

More Excellent Work, Rob! Just love comparing the group photographs: the "Speculators" who risked other people's money and the "Itinerant Navigators" who risked their very lives...

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Bryan!

[@mikecondon9576]

Not only pubs, trains as well. Rob, I am now truly engaged in your channel. Great content Rob and I look forward to viewing more of your content.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Mike. Stay well.

[@AlasdairMacCaluim]

Great video, thanks! I’m a Glaswegian and use it regularly and really enjoyed this video. The new trains are being tested at the Subway test track at Ibrox at the moment.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks very much Alasdair! I didn't know about the testing at Ibrox... I'll have to come back soon ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@AlasdairMacCaluim]

@@Robslondon Thanks! I have a couple of videos of the new trains being tested on my channel if you are interested.

[@Robslondon]

@@AlasdairMacCaluim You're very welcome! And thanks to you too; just looked at the footage and it's great. I've also subscribed ;-) Stay well Alasdair.

[@RichardWells1]

Excellent video, fascinating and very informative.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Richard

[@heresjonny..8189]

Thankyou

[@Robslondon]

Thanks 😉

[@iangascoigne8231]

“Round the city in half an hour”. Sounds like a challenge for Geoff Marshall.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Really quite interesting video, very informative and well presented and quite enjoy it 👍🏻

[@Robslondon]

That means a lot to me Simon; many thanks 😊

[@onlycompetitions5083]

Utterly brilliant. I really enjoyed watching this. I didn’t even know that Glasgow had an underground railway… it has taken me nearly 60 years to find out!!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much! Yes, unless you know about it the Glasgow Subway is pretty much a well kept secret. I’d highly recommend a visit to the city and its subway; it’s great fun to explore. I’ll be showing more of the stations and so on in the next installment 😉 Thanks again and stay well.

[@trevordance5181]

@@Robslondon Has the Glasgow Subway ever been featured in any feature films over the years? It would be great to see examples of the Subway as it was in years past.

[@Robslondon]

@@trevordance5181 That’s an excellent question. I think a period drama was made in the early 1970s, but unfortunately I have no idea what it was called (there’s a brief mention of filming in a documentary I watched for research)

[@trevordance5181]

@@Robslondon I wonder if it was ever shown in Taggart, that long running gritty Glaswegian detective drama. Surely with all the films made over the years it must have been in some, even if they were old creaky black and white B pictures from the dim and distant past. Are there any film buffs out there who know?

[@Robslondon]

@@trevordance5181 Taggart is a good one to aim for! And yes, hopefully someone out there will know. There are one or two documentaries mainly showing the system as it was in the 70s before refurbishment; there will hopefully be clips of them in the next instalment.

[@irenemacdonald3921]

Great, very informative and a very polished delivery. As a regular user I would say the only thing you have missed out on is the "Undergound's" distnctive AROMA !

[@Robslondon]

Thanks very much! And don’t worry, the smell is going to be covered in the next instalment 😉

[@edwardoleyba3075]

And its nickname - The Clockwork Orange! 😉

[@rezelkins]

Tenements were above Govan station before its reverb in the 70s.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks, didn’t know that.

[@videonut1988]

The revamp occurred back in 79 when the system that ran the Glasgow Subway was called TransClyde (now SPT)

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Curtis; yes I’ll be covering that in the third episode which I hope to have out soon. Stay well.

[@Nazir-WalkAroundTheCity]

👍✋ Extra Good job🤝✌️ Wow. Great view, I love to see new places 👍❤️ Great movie 👍 Bravo 👋 And I have a new movie from a walk around the city 😊 Yours sincerely, DJ Janusz from Warsaw Poland 🇵🇱✋

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Nazir! Will check out your channel; looks really interesting.

[@cosmoray9750]

I've heard of Glasgow subway from " For all life's adventures " channel. It's the third oldest subway in the world. 👍

[@Robslondon]

Yep

[@JacobOhlssonBudinger]

Where does the sound in the intro come from. It sounds familiar and I love it but I can’t figure out what it is. Great video btw

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Jacob! It's the jingle used by the now defunct 'Thames Television' who were around between the late 1960s and early '90s. Thanks again and stay well ;-)

[@alangebbie8848]

Ride on the subway nearly everyday

[@damedavidfrith55]

A 5⭐️ vlog

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated David! Thank you 😄

[@joetanjm]

Live next to winning park subway 🥃🥃

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Josef :-)

[@joannapolowy4647]

Look into the Boston subway. The “”T”.

[@edwardalexander9486]

You sound a bit like Beno - not a bad thing! Just saying.

[@Robslondon]

I do enjoy Beno’s channel 😉

[@___spiritofadventure___]

Subway is great. Travesty it wasn't expanded with a couple more lines.

[@Robslondon]

Agreed

[@kieranirvine3501]

Subcrawl anyone?

[@Robslondon]

I was tempted to do one when filming this video Kieran ;-)

[@trevordance5181]

@@Robslondon The SubCrawl is Glasgow's version of the Circle Line challenge in London. Cheers 🍻.

[@Robslondon]

@@trevordance5181 Yes, hoping to do it one day! Had a bit of a mini crawl when filming parts of this video 😉

[@MonkegangVR]

Actually the tube is the oldest

[@Robslondon]

Erm… I never said it wasn’t.

[@Robslondon]

(I've made two videos about the London Underground being the oldest! Here are the links if you're interested! 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJXLlGZpZdJ1oM0 & kzbin.info/www/bejne/gabCdqmnlMuDapI )