Alstom, the UK’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, will be opening its Glasgow Traincare Centre to the public to celebrate the historic depot’s 150th anniversary in October 2025.
Originally opened as Polmadie Shed in 1875 by the Caledonian Railway company, it was subsequently rebuilt and extended for the maintenance of steam engines and rolling stock.
Located around two miles south-east of Glasgow Central, the Alstom facility is currently the main base of the iconic Caledonian Sleeper service, where it is maintained and cleaned by over 100 staff who provide a round-the-clock service. Polmadie Depot typically welcomes 17 trains per day, including Avanti West Coast’s fleet of Class 390 Pendolinos built by Alstom.
Date: Sunday 12 October 2025
Time: 10:30am-4pm
Tickets for the Polmadie 150 charter (including entrance to the open day on Sunday 12 October) are currently on sale via the Branch Line Society and priced from £150 per person.
Meanwhile, tickets for the Polmadie 150 open day will be on sale from 19:00 BST on Tuesday 16 September – also via the Branch Line Society – and priced at £15 per person.
All profits will be split between Glasgow Traincare Centre’s two chosen charities, The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Railway Children’s Glasgow Project.