Engineering firm wins train contract with transport giant
Gibson's Engineering, a train manufacturer and maintenance and repair business, has sealed a major new contract with Transport for London (TfL), the largest integrated transport company in the UK.
The contract is described as a significant marker of Gibson's progress since opening its new engineering facility at the world-famous St Rollox rail depot in Springburn, Glasgow.
The works include stripping back and overhauling 23 long vehicle wagons. (Image: Gibson's Engineering) The works, which include stripping back and fully overhauling 23 long vehicle wagons, will take two years and create significant employment opportunities in the local area, generating 40 new jobs.
St Rollox reopened as a manufacturing, maintenance and repair rail depot last year.
The company is led by father and son Dougie and Fraser Gibson. The firm said they and their team are 'dedicated to delivering superior quality products that not only enhance the global transportation landscape but reduce its environmental impact'.
Tom Cunnington, left, of TfL and Fraser Gibson, Gibson's Engineering managing director. (Image: Gibson's Engineering) The directors and management team, 'with a combined experience of over 300 years in rail transport engineering, have a reputation for innovation, reliability and craftsmanship'.
Fraser Gibson, managing director of Gibson's Engineering, said: 'This is fantastic news for Gibson's, as well as for the wider Scottish rail industry. Since reopening St Rollox, Dougie and I have worked to restore its position as a centre for engineering excellence. This contract shows that we are well on our way to seeing The Caley thrive again, with a rapidly expanding workforce and significant new projects.'
READ MORE:
'Our extensive supply chain supports growth and opportunities right across the UK, with around two thirds of our suppliers based outside London, and nearly a third of our overall spend and resulting economic benefit therefore felt outside of London. By renewing vital transport infrastructure through sustained investment, we can drive economic growth, within London as well as across the UK.'
Following the closure of the depot in 2019, David Moulsdale purchased the facility in 2021 with the aim of revitalising the landmark site as a train engineering depot. Over £10 million has already been invested by Mr Moulsdale including the purchase price of the facility, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance of the buildings.
Mr Moulsdale, described by the firm as a businessman and philanthropist, said: 'I was always confident in our ambition to see significant employment of engineers, coachbuilders, project managers and apprentices at St Rollox, and this new agreement with TfL shows that we are breathing new life into 'The Caley', Glasgow and the Scottish economy.'
Paul Sweeney, Glasgow Labour MSP, said: 'I am delighted to see St Rollox, 'The Caley' Railway Works and its new operator Gibson's Engineering go from strength to strength. The award of this major contract from Transport for London (TfL) demonstrates that 'The Caley' has a viable future after being written off when the works closed down in 2019, after 163 years of operation.
"A century ago, Glasgow's Springburn district was the world's largest centre of locomotive production, with exports from its various railway works going to all parts of the world. I have campaigned relentlessly and have supported the effort of the new owners to restore railway engineering work to 'The Caley', so it is exciting to see Gibson's Engineering revive this legendary locomotive works with this latest contract milestone.
'I know the difference it is going to make to Springburn by providing skilled jobs for our young people and reviving local pride in skilled manufacturing work.
"I look forward to being as helpful as possible as they continue to pursue more contracts, hire more engineers, and build on Glasgow's illustrious pedigree as a centre of engineering excellence.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Controversial Loch Lomond Flamingo Land plans recalled
In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected by all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority. Now, plans for the development at Lomond Banks have been recalled by Scottish Ministers reports our sister title The National. Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee (below), said he has recalled the plans as the proposed development raises issues of 'national significance'. He said: 'I have decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 'This means that the appeal should be determined at a national level.' The news comes after more than 50,000 people wrote to McKee in just two weeks, demanding that the Scottish Government withdraw its approval of the mega-resort planning application. Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said the public's opinion on the proposal, which is the most opposed in Scottish planning history with more than 155,000 individuals lodging objections, 'couldn't be clearer'. He said: 'In just two weeks the Planning Minister has heard directly from over 50,000 people calling on him to block these proposals. Public opinion couldn't be clearer and it is backed up by experts including the Government's own environment watchdog.' Organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland, the Woodland Trust, the Ramblers, and the Scottish Government environment watchdog, SEPA, also raised objections against the plans.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire MSP calls on Holyrood to make sure OAPs aren't left behind on winter fuel payments
More than 75 per cent of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the Labour government abandoned one of its first, and most controversial, policies. A Lanarkshire MSP has called on the Scottish Government to ensure local pensioners aren't left behind following the UK Government's u-turn on winter fuel payments. More than 75 per cent of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the Labour government abandoned one of its first, and most controversial, policies. Scotland has already created a devolved benefit of £100 for all pensioner households, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of Scots worse off than their counterparts south of the border. Central Scotland list Labour MSP Monica Lennon said 'This is welcome news that will bring even more money to people in Lanarkshire – on top of the record funding settlement Labour delivered for Scotland in the budget. 'While the last Tory government left our public finances in chaos, Labour has made good progress cleaning up the mess it inherited. 'The Winer Fuel Payment is a devolved payment in Scotland and Scottish Labour has been clear that we want to see it reinstated for the majority of pensioners here – but despite their loud spin, the SNP voted against our attempts to do so. 'That's why we are urging the SNP not go ahead with plans that would unfairly hit poorer pensioners. 'The SNP must re-examine their own proposals in light of this game-changing announcement, ensure payments reach those most in need, and give a cast-iron guarantee that no struggling Scottish pensioners will be left out of pocket under their plans.' Last July, Chancellor Reeves drew widespread criticism over cuts to the winter fuel payment - a lump sum of £200 a year for households with a pensioner under 80, or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80 - in a bid to save an estimated £1.4 billion. In response, the Scottish Government introduced a new scheme offering those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit £200 or £300 depending on their age, and £100 for all other pensioner households. However, while the benefit for pensioners above the income threshold will be clawed back through tax, richer pensioners in Scotland will be able to keep the payment. Following the latest announcement from Westminster, Scottish pensioners who do not get pension credit but whose income is below that £35,000 threshold are expected to receive £100 less than if they lived in England or Wales. Shirley-Anne Somerville said Scotland introduced a winter heating payment for all pensioners because of the UK government's 'betrayal of millions of pensioners'. She said the Scottish Government welcomed the U-turn, but 'there is still no detail about how the Chancellor intends to go about that'. The social justice secretary said: 'We have once again not been consulted on the policy and its implications in Scotland and will scrutinise the proposals carefully when they are announced. 'I would therefore urge the UK Government to ensure the Scottish government is fully appraised of the proposed changes as soon as possible.'
The Courier
3 hours ago
- The Courier
Dundee tourist tax early consultation approved
An early consultation on a possible tourist tax in Dundee has been approved. A report on implementing a visitor levy in the city was considered by councillors on Monday evening. During a meeting of the economic growth committee, councillors approved an early engagement exercise with local businesses and residents. A working group will be set up to engage with local businesses, residents and 'any other relevant partners'. Feedback from this will then be heard by councillors at a committee meeting, where they will decide whether a statutory consultation should be approved. The earliest date a Dundee tourist tax will be launched is spring 2028. Edinburgh City Council was the first in Scotland to approve a visitor levy. From next summer, it will charge visitors an extra 5% on top of their accommodation costs. The early engagement period is set to begin this summer and run until spring next year. If approved, a statutory consultation would run for 12 weeks. A decision will then be made in autumn 2026 on whether a Dundee tourist tax should be introduced. If it is approved, an 18-month implementation period will allow businesses and communities time to prepare for the levy. However not all councillors backed the move. Conservative councillor Derek Scott called for councillors to note the report but take no further action, saying it could put people off visiting Dundee. 'I've always been opposed to a visitor levy,' said Mr Scott. 'I think the Scottish Government should be providing sufficiently in their funding allocation to local authorities to fully support the tourism sector. 'I've always been concerned about the impact a tourist tax would have on attracting visitors in what is a very competitive market.'
