Alstom Opens Polmadie Depot To The Public For The First Time In 25 Years To Commemorate 150 Years Of Railway Heritage In Glasgow Traincare Centre

Published on September 9, 2025

Alstom, a world leader successful sustainable mobility, will unfastened nan doors of its Glasgow Traincare Centre connected Sunday, 12 October 2025, commemorating nan 150th day of Polmadie Depot.

Located conscionable 2 miles southeast of Glasgow Central station, nan tract plays a captious domiciled successful Britain’s obstruction network. Today, it serves arsenic nan main hub for nan Caledonian Sleeper, nan overnight “hotel connected wheels” linking Scotland pinch London. More than 100 dedicated unit support and cleanable nan work astir nan clock, while nan depot besides regularly handles 17 trains daily, including Avanti West Coast’s Class 390 Pendolinos, which were built by Alstom.

A Depot pinch Deep Roots successful Rail History

Polmadie’s origins trace backmost to 16 September 1875, erstwhile nan Caledonian Railway unveiled its first motor shed connected nan site. In nan years that followed, nan depot was many times upgraded and enlarged to accommodate steam locomotives and an ever-expanding fleet of rolling stock. These developments ensured Polmadie became an basal cornerstone of Scotland’s rich | railway tradition.

Now, 150 years later, visitors will measurement backmost done clip arsenic they research a line-up of locomotives that bespeak nan depot’s singular history. On show will beryllium a Class 37 from nan Scottish Railway Preservation Society, alongside a Freightliner Class 90 and Polmadie’s ain Class 08 shunters. Courtesy of GB Railfreight, a Class 99, Class 92, Class 73/9, and Class 66 will besides beryllium exhibited, pinch further highlights still to beryllium announced.

“For 150 years, Polmadie has continuously been a location to dedicated attraction unit and train drivers that successful move person proudly served passengers and freight crossed Scotland and on nan West Coast Main Line. It’s a privilege to observe this milestone pinch enthusiasts and nan section community, and showcase nan unthinkable bequest of obstruction successful Scotland,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland astatine Alstom.

A Unique Visitor Experience

Those arriving by shuttle autobus from Glasgow Central will bask an arena tailored for some enthusiasts and families. Guests tin circuit Caledonian Sleeper’s modern Mark 5 coaches, effort retired interactive rail-themed activities, and acquisition demonstrations of cutting-edge train simulation technology.

Importantly, this will beryllium nan first clip successful 25 years that nan depot has opened to nan public, coinciding pinch world celebrations of Railway 200 – nan bicentenary of nan modern railway. Earlier this summer, Alstom hosted The Greatest Gathering astatine its Derby Litchurch Lane Works, welcoming 40,000 visitors and assembling nan largest-ever showcase of historical and modern trains.

He added: “Polmadie is much than conscionable a depot – it’s a awesome of engineering excellence and committedness to keeping Britain moving. We’re proud to unfastened our doors and stock this practice pinch nan public, while inspiring nan adjacent procreation to thief america style nan early of rail.” 

Railtour: Riding Rare Tracks

The celebrations really get underway a time earlier, connected Saturday, 11 October, pinch a uncommon railtour arranged by nan Branch Line Society. In a first for Polmadie, nan depot will big a rider charter service, offering enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This typical travel will beryllium powered by a brace of RailAdventure Class 43 locomotives, coupled pinch Mark 3 carriages provided by nan 125 Group. Departing from Alstom’s Derby factory—a fitting motion to different landmark of Railway 200—the train will make scheduled calls astatine Derby, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Lancaster, and Motherwell earlier reaching Glasgow.

“We are immensely proud of Caledonian Sleeper’s inclusion successful this milestone ceremony astatine Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre. For 150 years, this tract has played a captious domiciled successful preparing and maintaining trains, and coming it remains astatine nan bosom of ensuring our guests bask a safe, comfortable and memorable journey,” said Graham Kelly, Interim Managing Director astatine Caledonian Sleeper. 

Upon presence astatine Polmadie, visitors will beryllium treated to a unsocial spectacle arsenic nan depot’s resident Class 08 shunters (08451, 08696, and 08954) return over, guiding nan train on seldom accessed soul tracks. This behind-the-scenes activity promises passengers an unforgettable glimpse into nan hidden workings of 1 of Scotland’s astir historical railway sites.

He added: “As we observe 200 years of modern rail, it is simply a privilege for nan Caledonian Sleeper squad to honour that heritage, recognise nan group who make it imaginable and look guardant to nan future.”

The railtour, titled “To nan Birthplace and nan Backbone,” highlights some Derby – birthplace of British train manufacturing – and Glasgow, nan bluish terminus of nan West Coast Main Line, often described arsenic nan backbone of UK rail. A sister travel to Shildon, birthplace of nan Stockton & Darlington Railway, will besides shape portion of nan commemorative programme.

A Weekend for Railfans

As good arsenic Polmadie 150, visitors successful Glasgow are capable to position Inspiration, nan Railway 200 charismatic accumulation train, which will beryllium successful residence astatine Glasgow Central connected 11–12 October.

Tickets for Polmadie 150, featuring nan return railtour, are disposable from 19:00 BST connected Tuesday, 9 September from nan Branch Line Society astatine £150 per person. The profits will spell towards nan Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and Railway Children’s Glasgow Project.