Manson's 381 class Express locomotive showing his G & SWR livery Welcome to the website of the Glasgow and South Western Railway Association! The Glasgow and South Western Railway Association was founded in 1964. Its creation was as a result of positive action by a group of individuals including Murdo Mackenzie, Ian Gillespie, Bob Stirling and John Brown. Very soon the embryonic organisation was joined by others for whom an interest in the railway was a key interest. At a time when steam traction was being ousted and lines were closing, many professional railwaymen joined the Association. Within a year of formation the membership total was over 50. Within five years it was in excess of 100. Meetings were held in the Christian Institute in Glasgow, moving to Paisley Museum, and are currently held in Paisley Abbey - a fine and august setting indeed. The Association initially produced a Newletter, and this was extended to an annual Journal which has developed over the years with a succession of editors adding their personal touches to the contents and design. The Newsletter still keeps members informed with four issues a year. The Association has had a presence at the major Scottish model railway shows for a long time. Currently we attend Glasgow Modelrail in February annually. The Association arranges visits to sites of interest. This usually takes the form of a walk along a former line, or a road trip to visit signalling or other engineering sites. The Association has visited Hunterston deep water port and coal facilities in recent years, Bo'ness for a guided tour of their historic G & SWR coaching stock and other its of railway interest around Scotland. Membership is steady around the 200 mark at present. Members have a variety of interests - not surprisingly there area number of modellers in 7mm O gauge and 4mm OO gauge, as well as many with historic interest but not forgetting those who have a connection with the area served and are keen to support their local association. We even have a few members keeping steam alive in Gauge 1. Notwithstanding this we have members in N gauge/2mm as well. The Association has a reputation as a welcoming organisation - why not come along to one of our Paisley meetings and say hello? Our interests cover the predecessors and the successors to the G & SWR This includes the LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway, British Railways, ScotRail, EWS, Network Rail and anyone else who should run services on the former Sou'West lines. At our AGM the Subscription was retained at £15 - still excellent value for money (The G&SWR survived the recession and Depression - there is no reason why the G &SWRA cannot survive the current Depression!) | 