Glasgow's iconic Subway carriages saved from scrapheap and on their way to new homes

Glasgow's iconic Clockwork Orange subway carriages are on the move after being saved from the scrapheap in a last-minute deal.

The 1980 Metro-Cammell trains were due to be melted down at the end of August if a buyer couldn't be found. However, a rail industry lawyer working with city MSP Paul Sweeney managed to save around half of the iconic cars, which are now being transported to new homes.

Former University of Glasgow student and train enthusiast Ben Denton-Cardew lined up clients including film companies, rail heritage sites and schools interested in preserving the iconic carriages. The 27-year-old from Suffolk - who also saved some mohair seats from the old trains - told Glasgow Live: "It's a bittersweet moment.

READ MORE: Brave Uddingston shopkeeper grappled with armed robber who demanded cash

READ MORE: Airdrie abuser left partner so scared she barricaded herself in bedroom when he had been drinking

"I think I've put in over 1,000 hours of my own time into saving these trains. There were a lot of rules surrounding how we transport them which has been difficult - they are very safety conscious - and it's an expensive operation. Much more so than cars or buses."

He added: "If I could have saved them all I would have but the reason I got into this is I watched them go past my window to the scrap dealer from my window. I had asked to buy them but I didn't realise they were going to scrap them."

Ben eventually got in contact with the company that produced the new trains and worked out a deal to save the last 20. He was unable to save more due to a pre-existing deal.

Speaking about preserving a part of Glasgow history, he added: "We've saved something for the future. They are more than just a train - they are that funny orange friend in tunnel at the end of a night out.

"I, like hundreds of thousands of people, have done thousands of miles on those trains getting around the city so it does mean a lot to me.

"It would be so sad if we only had one in a museum, for a train that has contributed so much to Glasgow over the past 40 years."

Ben says he is excited to see the trains when they are finally in use at their new homes. Around 11 are expected at the Finnieston Railway station to be turned into community and art spaces. He says they will become a copy of the nearby Hidden Lane.

Another is expected to travel further, and arrive at an academy in Northamptonshire where it will be used for troubled kids who have been excluded from schools.

He said: "I am proud that everyone of them has gone to something useful and has been re-purposed properly."

The fleet were replaced with modern stock in July, to keep up with the ever increasing demand on the network. After completing a last loop under the Clyde, one carriage – Car 128 – was taken for display at Glasgow’s transport museum.

Posting to X, formally known as Twitter, Paul Sweeney said: "After much persistence, a team of us have managed to save around half of the 1980 Metro-Cammell Glasgow Subway cars from the scrap yard. A huge thanks to Ben Denton-Cardew for his relentless work to secure deals for these much loved little trains for and project managing their re-homing."

The famous carriages were listed for sale for community and not-for-profit organisations at a cost of £5,000, subject to transport arrangements being organised..

Ben added in a post of his own: "We’re moving the old Glasgow Subway trains this week to their new homes. Give us a wave if you see us on the road!."

Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox