St Rollox Works granted listed building status
GLASGOW’S world-famous St. Rollox locomotive works has been given Category B listing status protection by Historic Environment Scotland, it was announced on May 18.
St. Rollox Works is significant as a rare surviving example of a late 19th century locomotive works in Scotland and the only surviving example in Springburn, which was once a global centre of locomotive construction.
Built largely in 1882, St. Rollox Works was the largest and longest operational locomotive manufacture and repair works in Scotland. It was established and constructed by the Caledonian Railway Company as its principal locomotive construction and repair works. The works were remodelled by the Caledonian’s newly-appointed chief engineer, Dugald Drummond to designs by district engineer Robert Dundas between 1882-87, in response to the company’s need for a much larger works as the rail network rapidly expanded and advances in locomotive engineering, distribution and export were made.
While steam and diesel engine works were its staple function for generations, locomotive manufacture had largely ceased by 1928; during the Second World War, St. Rollox produced Airspeed Horsa gliders for the Normandy landings airborne assault.
The works played a significant role in the expansion of the railway in Scotland and served its network for more than 160 years. Sold as part of the 1995 privatisation of BR, it was closed in July 2019, despite protests from unions and politicians, and sold to a private owner in 2021.
HES head of designations, Dara Parsons, said: “The former St. Rollox
Works is a significant piece of Scotland’s industrial and transport heritage and a worthy addition to the list of Scotland’s special buildings.
“It made an important contribution to railway history and to Springburn’s role as a major centre for rail manufacture and repair in the 19th and 20th centuries.”