TRANSPORT
From the middle of the 19th century "Tollcross grew from a rural village to become an East End suburb of Glasgow and a mining and industrial community." The end of its isolation was hastened with the strides being made in transportation. Horses and traps could be owned or hired but most people had to walk wherever they wished to go. The impact of the arrival of the railway was tremendous, both socially and physically.
As industry and commerce boomed in the Second City of the Empire, the railways responded to the increased demand for their services in the transport of goods and workforces. The two main rivals at the end of the century were the North British and the Caledonian Railway Companies. The latter had its headquarters in Glasgow but were to find that the North British was achieving great success in its "home" territory. For example, as a result of a great increase in tenement building in Shettleston, the North British station there was "jammed out" with business.
30) The rail bridge over Braidfauld St. It was finally removed in 1986. The embankment was razed and the land now supports new housing built by Miller Homes.
In response, the Caledonian eventually opened their line which ran from Bridgeton Cross to Newton. The Tollcross Station was opened for goods traffic in January, 1897 and for passengers the following February.
After only a few years, the development of the tram network took much of the passenger traffic from the railways. The station remained open for passengers until 5th October, 1964 and closed completely on 4th April, 1966.
31) The above photograph shows the very last tram to leave Auchenshuggle on the 4th September, 1962, two days after the scheduled service ended. The extra service was laid on due to public demand. The banner reads, "Goodbye Trams - For All You've Been To Us - Thanks." (Reproduced from "A Nostalgic Look at Glasgow Trams Since 1950.")
Before the coming of the railway, there were only two roads which led down to London Rd; Braidfauld St and Causewayside St. Afterwards, there was an additional path to lead from the station to Auchenshuggle tram terminus; Tollcross Station Rd.
Tramways eventually served the population along both Tollcross Rd (Green banded) and London Rd (Red banded). The most famous of all the termini was arguably Auchenshuggle. This terminus has moved somewhat over the years, but it was originally sited at Tollcross Station Rd.
32) Tollcross garage, 1227, Tollcross Rd in 1927, Serving the needs of the motoring public.
With the increasing use of private cars, the modernisation of the railways and the introduction of trolley and motor buses however, the days of the trams were numbered.
33) Number 64 buses sitting at their Auchenshuggle terminus c.1976, the corner of London Rd and Braidfauld St. At this site previously stood a large house known locally as the "Neuk" which had stables for coachmen.
Strathclyde Buses became the eventual heirs to the Glasgow Corporation Transport Dept in 1986. They continue to operate the familiar 61 to Tollcross and a limited 64 service to Auchenshuggle.