On Wednesday 13th May, the National Transport Trust Red Wheel at Southbank Marina was formally "unveiled" by the Provost, Gillian Renwick and Don Martin MBE f the Antiquaries. The Red Wheel scheme is run by the National Transport Trust and is designed to commemorate sites of national transport heritage in the UK. The Wheel at Southbank Marina marks the northern terminus of the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway, the first modern public railway in Scotland, with the Forth and Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch Basin. The railway was opened in 1826 to enable coal, iron and other products from the mines and foundries of the Airdrie and Coatbridge area to be taken to the Canal for transport to markets elsewhere in Central Scotland and was a major step forward in the Industrial Revolution in Scotland. The first train on the line ran from Gartsherrie to Kirkintilloch in May 1826, so the bicentenary of the opening was a good time to unveil the Red Wheel.
The unveiling was attended by the Provost, Gillian Renwick, Council Leader Gordan Low, Don Martin MBE and other office bearers from the Antiquaries, John Cameron CBE, the Vice-President of the National Transport Trust and other office bearers, representatives from Scottish Canals and railway enthusiasts from the Monklands area and Kirkintilloch. Further details are available on the East Dunbartonshire Council website here. Photos of the ceremony are shown below.
