The Museum of Transport

Today I decided to finally check out Glasgow's Museum of Transport. It was really well done, quite beautiful, and like all Glasgow museums, completely free! Unfortunately I didn't think to bring my camera.

They have on display over a hundred different cars, carriages, trains, and related such. Most if not all are the genuine articles, not models or replicas.

When you first walk in, on your left there is a space dedicated to shipbuilding and train-building in Glasgow. Apparently the QE2 cruise liner was built right about where I currently live. Then there is a reconstructed street from maybe 1940, with store-fronts and a cinema. (The British spell-check marks 'movie' as incorrect.) This is also where the Glasgow Subway exhibit is; they have subway cars from the different eras along a platform.

To the right of the entrance, past the gift-shop, are two areas filled with carriages, cars, vans, caravans, wagons, trucks, etc. They have some beautiful specimens, including 'truck art,' i.e. an intricately painted van, from Pakistan; a Gypsy caravan cart from the turn of the century, richly decorated and intricately painted and carved; and early and classic cars galore. They placed specific emphasis on Scottish and Glaswegian cars like the Argyll.

Next is a section on trams, and they show the evolution of Glaswegian trams, from horse-drawn to cable to electric, by having the restored models all in a row. (Edinburgh is building a new tram system, but unfortunately I'll be long gone when it opens.) Then there was a section on trains, with several Scottish-built engines on display, and a car from the new trains that will be whipping around the country by the end of this year - very exciting. (Scotland has an amazing train system. Only 5 million people, and 1,696 miles of track. The trains go everywhere - except St. Andrews - quickly and often.)

There were bits and pieces on boats, bicycles, and planes, but the exhibits were not as comprehensive. They're moving to a new location soon though, where they will probably have room for that.

I'd really suggest a visit, if you're in Glasgow.