A NEW ORBIT FOR GLASGOW'S VETERAN UNDERGROUND

The article describes the projected modernisation of the Glasgow underground system where found18M is to be spent on work to be completed by July 1978. This work includes rebuilding five stations with flank platforms, and installing ramps to the surface at the Broomload depot. Bored piling will be installed to provide permanent ground support around the new or enlarged chambers. Eleven of the fifteen stations are to become interchanges with bus or British rail transport. The old permanent way is to be removed and replaced with continuously welded track laid on precast concrete slab sleepers later infilled with in-situ precast concrete. Modern cabling and signalling will also be installed. Work will start on the outer of the twin tunnels and should be completed by autumn 1977 when traffic will be switched and the track relaid in the inner tunnel. The present rolling stock, which has been used since the opening in 1896, will be replaced by thirty-three new power cars ordered from Metro-Cammell, Birmingham. Each car is designed for automatic operation responding to track signals accomodating 36 seated and 54 standing passengers. /TRRL/