14 December 2011Last updated at 12:07

In pictures: Glasgow Subway marks 115 years anniversary

Officials and staff pictured at a low-key opening of the Subway. As word spread thousands queued outside stations to experience travel by a non-steam train for the first time

The original advert for Glasgow District Subway, which opened its doors 115 years ago. It is the world’s third oldest underground railway behind London and Budapest

The trains were hauled by a giant cable until the Subway and all its carriages were converted to electric traction in 1935

The cable which pulled the Subway trains around their circular underground tracks was operated by a sole steam boiler based at Scotland Street – between West St and Shields Rd stations

The Subway became a popular way to travel and carried over 500,000 people in one week to the famous Empire Exhibition in Glasgow in 1938

The trains originally had to be lifted from the Subway tracks by crane to undergo maintenance at the main depot, which can still be found in Govan today

By the late 1960s the Subway was becoming dilapidated and in drastic need of investment and improvement - as seen here at Kelvinbridge Station

The Subway was closed between 1977 and 1980 for a major revamp which saw tunnels gutted, new tracks laid and signalling replaced ahead of new rolling stock arriving

A total of 33 new Subway trains were ordered for the 1980 re-opening. They were capable of a completing the route in 22 minutes

The Subway’s rolling stock was recently given a new look and operator SPT is pushing ahead with a modernisation plan, which includes new fully automated ‘driverless’ trains

Glasgow & West Scotland

In pictures: Glasgow Subway marks 115 years anniversary

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