News - Culture - Stories From The Edge - City Life & Photography

Eyes Through Time St Enochs

In 1896, the vibrant city of Glasgow celebrated a groundbreaking moment with the opening of its subway system, Pic GCA

LATESTEYES UK / INTERNATIONAL

12/22/20241 min read

In 1896, the vibrant city of Glasgow celebrated a groundbreaking moment with the opening of its subway system, the Glasgow District Subway. This innovative transit system, the third oldest in the world after London and Budapest, originally utilized a cable-hauled design powered by stationary steam engines, making it a pioneering feat of engineering. On its inaugural day, a ticket could be purchased for just one penny, inviting throngs of curious passengers eager to embark on this new mode of transport. In its first year alone, the subway welcomed over 9 million travelers, demonstrating an overwhelming demand for urban transit. However, as congestion became a concern, the fixed fare was eventually replaced by a fare stage system to better manage the bustling crowds. The St Enoch Station stood as a proud testament to this new era of transport, setting the stage for Glasgow’s growth and connectivity.