THOUGHT it would be busier than this to be honest, but the times of the trains show that it was taken at six o’clock. If it was six in the morning then the crowds had still to build up, and if it was in the evening, most folk would have already gone.
This was Central Station at the start of the Fair Fortnight holiday in July 1962, when The Herald reported that 150,0000 people would be leaving Glasgow that weekend by 350 trains, which works out at more than 400 on average per train, which seems a squash.
I had forgotten the destination boards were put up by hand back then before being replaced by the electronic board.
I also like the striped blazer worn by one passenger, and the hats.
And there, in the middle, is the hollowed-out 15in howitzer shell that was used as a charity box for ex-servicemen’s charities, and because of its prominent position was a popular meeting place for couples on a date.
It’s still in the station but has been moved to a quiet corner where it is now largely forgotten.
The tradition of going away by train to seaside resorts was beginning to wane by 1962 with holidays to Spain becoming more popular.
The Herald also reported that there were 20 chartered flights to the US and Canada that weekend from Prestwick Airport. They would love to replicate that these days down at the Ayrshire airport.
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