In this milestone year we have seen communities, companies, and enthusiasts across the UK unite to celebrate 200 years since the birth of the modern railway. From heritage locomotives to the latest in sustainable transport technology, events up and down the country have reflected on two centuries of innovation and progress.
Among the organisations leading these celebrations is Alstom, a name synonymous with rolling stock manufacture and maintenance. The company has played a central role in commemorating Railway 200, paying tribute both to the industry’s proud past and to the technologies shaping its future.
In the previous issue of RailStaff (Issue 298, July–August 2025), we covered The Greatest Gathering – Alstom’s record-breaking celebration at its historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works, which brought together 140 rail vehicles and more than 40,000 visitors.
This autumn, Alstom took the festivities north to Glasgow, opening its Traincare Centre at Polmadie to the public for the first time in a quarter of a century. The event marked a major milestone – Polmadie 150, celebrating a century and a half of service to Scotland’s railways.
More than a depot
Situated two miles south-east of Glasgow Central station, the Polmadie facility is a key hub in the country’s rail operations. It serves as the maintenance and cleaning base for the Caledonian Sleeper, with more than 100 staff providing 24-hour support. The depot also handles around 17 trains daily, including Avanti West Coast’s fleet of Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolinos.
“Polmadie stands as more than a depot – it represents a beacon of engineering excellence and a vital pillar in Scotland’s rich railway heritage,” explains Rob Whyte, managing director UK and Ireland at Alstom. “For 150 years, this site has played a crucial role in keeping the country moving, and we’re incredibly proud of the dedicated teams who continue that tradition today.”
“Opening 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’s a privilege to honour this milestone with the community, and showcase the people and technology that make Polmadie so special.”
Originally built by the Caledonian Railway Company, Polmadie Shed opened on 16 September 1875 and went on to serve generations of steam locomotives and rolling stock. Some of those early locomotives returned home for the anniversary celebration on Sunday 12 October, offering visitors a glimpse into the depot’s remarkable heritage.
“Polmadie Depot is a living monument to Glasgow’s proud railway heritage and industrial ingenuity,” says Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow, and Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Veterans.
“For 150 years, it has been at the heart of Scotland’s rail operations, and Alstom’s 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’s inspiring to see this iconic site continue to evolve, while honouring its remarkable past.”
Past and present
More than a thousand visitors made their way from Glasgow Central to the depot aboard a mix of heritage and modern shuttle buses, provided by Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust, Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, and McGill’s. They were greeted by an impressive line-up of over 20 locomotives and rail vehicles representing Polmadie’s past and present.
Highlights included:
- Caledonian Railway No. 419 – the oldest preserved steam engine once based at Polmadie, built in 1907 at the Caledonian Railway’s St Rollox Works.
- Class 99 (No. 99001), Class 92 (No. 92023 Polmadie 150 1875–2025), Class 73/9 (No. 73968), and Class 66 (No. 66710 Karen Harrison) – courtesy of GB Railfreight.
- Class 93 (No. 93006) – provided by Rail Operations Group.
- Class 90s (Nos. 90018 The Greatest Gathering and 90021 Donald Malcolm) – from Freightliner.
- Class 390 (No. 390119 Progress) – an Alstom-built Pendolino operated by Avanti West Coast.
- Unimog U 430 road-rail vehicles – supplied by Network Rail.
Visitors were also able to step aboard Caledonian Sleeper’s Mark 5 coaches, exploring the “hotel on wheels” that has linked Scotland and London since the 19th century. For younger guests, Alstom organised family activities and a miniature railway, operated by the Paisley Society of Model Engineers, helping to inspire Scotland’s next generation of railway talent.
“Polmadie has been an integral part of the Caledonian Sleeper story for generations and it’s fantastic to see it celebrated in this way,” says Graham Kelly, interim managing director at Caledonian Sleeper. “Our trains are maintained here every day by a passionate and skilled team who help deliver a world-class overnight service connecting Scotland and London. This open day is a brilliant opportunity to honour the depot’s incredible legacy and inspire future generations to be part of Scotland’s rail journey.”
The celebrations extended beyond the open day itself. On the previous day, Polmadie welcomed its first-ever passenger charter train, giving enthusiasts a rare ride over the depot’s internal lines. Organised by the Branch Line Society, the train – formed of RailAdventure Class 43s and Derby-built Mark 3 coaches from 125 Group – travelled from Alstom’s Derby factory, linking the two Railway 200 heritage sites.
At the same time, visitors to Glasgow Central could explore Railway 200’s exhibition train Inspiration and browse a dedicated marketplace showcasing organisations from across the industry.
To mark both events, Alstom and Network Rail hosted a stakeholder breakfast at Glasgow Central, featuring speeches from key industry leaders including Alan Fravaloni, Graham Kelly, Alex Kirk, and Gerry McQuade. The highlight came with the naming of GB Railfreight’s Class 92 No. 92023 Polmadie 150 1875–2025, continuing a legacy once carried by Virgin Trains’ Class 87 No. 87023 Polmadie.
All proceeds from the celebrations were donated to the depot’s chosen charities – Beatson Cancer Charity and The Railway Children’s Glasgow Project – with Network Rail supporting the initiative by waiving access charges for the special charter train.
As the festivities came to an end, Polmadie 150 served as a powerful reminder of both Scotland’s proud railway heritage and its ongoing spirit of innovation. For 150 years, the depot has adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs of the railway, powered by generations of skilled engineers and operators.
By opening its gates once again, Alstom not only honoured the past but looked ahead to the next century and a half of progress – inspiring the people who will write the next chapter of Britain’s railway story.
Image credit: Alstom
