Glasgow Museum of Transport, Pollokshields 1977

Glen Douglas No. 256 is a preserved steam locomotive of the North British Railway (NBR) K Class, built in 1913 at the Cowlairs Works in Glasgow. Designed by William P. Reid, this 4-4-0 engine was specifically created to handle the demanding gradients and heavy traffic of Scotland’s West Highland Line between Glasgow and Fort William.

Originally numbered NBR 256, Glen Douglas was known for its versatility, capable of hauling both passenger and freight trains. Following railway grouping in 1923, it was renumbered LNER 9256, and later British Railways No. 62469. It remained in active service until 1959, after which it was withdrawn from regular use but repainted in its original NBR livery for special excursions from Glasgow’s Dawsholm depot.

In 1962, Glen Douglas was donated to Glasgow Corporation and put on display at the Glasgow Museum of Transport. Later, it was loaned to the Scottish Railway Preservation Society with the intention of restoring it to operational condition for the West Highland Line centenary in 1994. Although the restoration was never completed, Glen Douglas was returned to Glasgow and is now exhibited as a static display at the Riverside Museum.

Glasgow Museum of Transport

The Glasgow Museum of Transport has been a key institution preserving the city’s rich transport heritage through several locations over its history. It originally opened in 1964 in Pollokshields, within the former Coplawhill tram depot on Albert Drive. This site was chosen following the closure of Glasgow’s tram system in 1962, and the repurposed tram depot gave visitors a fascinating glimpse into the city’s industrial and transport past.

After nearly 25 years in Pollokshields, the museum relocated in 1988 to the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow’s West End. The Kelvin Hall, a grand exhibition venue built in 1927, was renovated to accommodate the growing collection of vehicles and transport artifacts. This move provided a larger, more accessible space for displays ranging from vintage cars and bicycles to trams and locomotives.

In 2011, the museum underwent its most significant transformation by moving to the striking new Riverside Museum on the banks of the River Clyde. Designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid, the Riverside Museum offers a modern, interactive experience, housing over 3,000 objects related to transport and travel. The building’s dynamic design and engaging exhibits bring Glasgow’s transport history vividly to life for visitors of all ages.