And finally… off the beaten track
![And finally... off the beaten track](https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/uploads/Glasgow_Subway.svg.png)
Former Glasgow subway carriages could be repurposed as glamping pods, community hubs, cafes or even art galleries after being put up for sale.
Up to 20 of the city’s old-style trains could be yours for £5,000 each.
The carriages were gradually taken out of service this year and replaced with new modern cars.
Contractor Stadler said the £5,000 sale price would cover the cost of scrappage. They have agreed to waive the fee for charities. Any unsold carriages will be scrapped at the end of August.
Ben Denton-Cardew, a rail industry lawyer who is behind the search for buyers, warned any interested parties that there would be a substantial cost to move the carriages, but there is loads of potential.
“We’ve talked about glamping pods before, we’ve talked about reuse as cafes, as community hubs or even art studios as former train carriages have been in London before,” he told BBC Scotland.
“They’re very easy to repurpose, the interiors can just be stripped out. And, if they are used as buildings, because they are on wheels often they don’t require planning permission. It could be quite an easy job to reuse them.
“We’d really, really like it if anyone in the Glasgow region would like to save one and keep it local. That would really be brilliant.”
A spokesperson for Stadler, the rail stock manufacturers currently in procession of the old stock, said the fleet was being “disposed of responsibility” but they are open to selling the carriages.
A spokesperson for Stadler said: “We are delighted that the Riverside Museum has secured one of the old trains, which is now on display for the citizens of Glasgow and beyond to view and enjoy. We have received a few other inquiries, and these are currently under review.
“For businesses and profit-making entities, Stadler has set a fee of £5,000 to cover the cost of scrappage. However, we have waived this fee for charities and not-for-profit organisations.
“This, we hope, may mean that one or two further carriages are available for the general public to see, promoting the city’s rich history and culture.
“Costs associated with transport and logistics will remain the responsibility of interested parties, including charities and not-for-profit organisations.”