TIMES PAST City transport was simply ‘tramendous’ fun for us all

RIDING in carriages over cobbled streets was uncomfortable, so the introduction of Glasgow’s first trams must have been a huge relief.

It was 1870, and the first tracks were a two-and-a-half mile stretch from St George’s Cross to Eglinton Toll.

Can’t imagine the roadworks were much fun in 1946, however – our photographs show men at work repairing and replacing the tram lines around the important city spot.

Of course, by the time this picture was taken just after the war, the days of the trams were almost over and by the late 50s and early 60s, the distinctive cars would have all but disappeared.

In this picture, from 1960, the tracks are still visible but there’s not a tramcar in sight...

Eglinton Toll was also known as St Andrew’s Cross (said to arise from the saltire-shaped arrangement of the roads) and situated as the southern entry to the Port Eglinton industrial area (roughly between Pollokshields to the south and Tradeston to the north).

Originally intended as a dock area serving as the Glasgow terminus of a waterway (the Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal) established in the early 19th century by Hugh Montgomerie, 12th Earl of Eglinton, it was never fully completed and in the 1880s the canal was replaced by a railway. The area was once home to a power station, printworks and the Plaza ballroom.

What are your memories of Eglinton Toll? Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories and photos.

Email ann.fotheringham@ glasgowtimes.co.uk

Workmen busy at Eglinton Toll, 1946

HERE at the Glasgow Times, we know the tales of ordinary people paint a picture of what life was really like for the men, women and children of the city over the decades. We want to hear them, for our great new Times Past series, All Our Yesterdays. Each week, we will cover a theme connected to Glasgow’s ‘good old days’ – it could be the parks and gardens, transport, dance halls and cinemas, or something completely different. We’d love to hear your stories and see your old photos – all you have to do is write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, Print Centre, 125 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang G32 8FG or email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk