A Glasgow Metro train is on display in a museum and they are looking for a buyer for the old fleet

A Tube carriage that has carried millions of passengers since it opened in 1980 has been officially moved to its new home at Glasgow’s Transport Museum.

With the introduction of 17 new trains to the Glasgow Subway system underway, the 43-year-old fleet is being moved from the passenger timetable.

The Riverside Museum was the first to answer the call in 2016 for new homes for the iconic orange carriages with car 128 now on display at the site.

The remaining cars are available for purchase from prospective buyers responsible for mark-up and collection costs.

SPT chairman Stephen Dornan said: “We are in no doubt about the importance of these carriages to Glasgow’s transport history, so it is only right and fitting that they make their way to the Riverside where they can be displayed to visitors from the city. , and much further to enjoy.

“The older fleet had seen many long years of service and some of the cars were well past their last legs. But as we have been working with the museum for some time to discuss the handover, safe transport and future preservation of car 128, we have been able to ensure that the best train available will be donated to the museum where it will hopefully be seen for many years to come.”

John Messner, Curator, Transport and Technology at the Riverside Museum – part of Glasgow Life Museums – added: “For 44 years the 128 car has been an important part of the city’s transport infrastructure. The new trains have become local icons since they were introduced in 1980.

“The ‘Clockwork Orange’ trains – as they quickly came to be known – hold fond memories for many Glasgow residents as well as visitors to the city and Glasgow Life Museums is proud to have preserved one of these much-loved carriages with the help of the team at SPT, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.”

Car 128 will be the fourth Glasgow Subway carriage in the Glasgow Life Museums collections, joining three others from the original fleet which ran between 1896 and 1977.

As well as the Subway cars, the Glasgow Life Museums collections also contain material from the old Merkland Street station, as well as tickets, staff uniforms and archives relating to the Glasgow Subway.

Stadler, who is responsible for the disposal of old cars, invites any interested parties to get in touch.

A spokesman said: “Any organization or individual wishing to register an interest in acquiring a vintage Glasgow Subway train should contact Stadler.

“We are happy to discuss what is involved in acquiring an older vehicle, including logistical arrangements.

An SPT spokesman added: “SPT put out a call a while ago through some of the Rail Industry magazines asking anyone interested in taking on an old car to get in touch. At that point, a number of museums made it clear that they were unable to take the old subway car, partly due to available space and an inability to make room for anything new in their current locations.

“The decommissioning of trains is the contractual responsibility of ANSTA, the modernization consortium. Where we have received correspondence inquiring about the original fleet, we have advised them of who to contact within the consortium.

“Anyone who was interested in getting an older car would have to bear the cost of a lift and pickup from the metro depot by a reputable contractor who specializes in this type of work.