Lochburn Iron Works

Hidden amidst the urban tapestry of Glasgow, Lochburn Iron Works once played a vital role. Lochburn Iron Works wasn’t just about iron. It was intertwined with the local railway. The Lochburn railway station, opened in 1890, served the area. It had two platforms and a main station building on the eastbound side. A signal box, southeast of the station, controlled access to the iron works’ sidings. These were on the north side of the line, accessible via a reversing spur from the east. Lochburn Iron Works stood on the north/west bank of the Forth and Clyde Canal. South of the railway line, another siding served the Phoenix Chemical Works. This later became the Kelvindale Chemical Works after an extension. Sadly, the station closed in 1916 and was eventually demolished. The signal box followed suit in 1965, after the iron works had closed its doors. The railway line itself remains open. It has faced challenges with subsidence due to its location in a cutting. Nearby Gilshochill station effectively replaced the old Lochburn station. Housing now surrounds the area where Lochburn station once stood. West Possil Loch, once a significant feature, has been partly filled in by the iron works and is now a forested footpath. Lochburn Iron Works’ legacy extends beyond metal and railways. In 1882, a devastating fire ravaged an oil works in Maryhill, owned by William Walls & Co. While the exact location isn’t explicitly stated as Lochburn Iron Works, the proximity and the extensive damage suggest a possible connection to the industrial activities in the area. Later, in 1885, William Walls & Co. were involved in legal discussions regarding additional buildings at Lochburn Oilworks. This confirms the existence of oil-related operations in the vicinity of Lochburn Iron Works. A further fire in 1923 at William Walls & Co.’s premises on Lochburn Road further reinforces the area’s history with the oil industry. Lochburn Iron Works, though gone, remains a silent testament to Glasgow’s industrial past. Its story is interwoven with the rise and fall of local industries, leaving behind a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era.