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Location notes
The underground section of Glasgow central, this station, although technically part of Glasgow central, is often referred to with the above title. The tracks lie at 90 degrees to those of the main line station above.
Located on the north Clyde electrics, the station also has its own entrances on Argyle Street, below the famous Central Station colonade. Dr Beeching closed this section, from Partick to Cambuslang in 1964, along with St Enoch station, leaving the Glasgow Queen Street low level section open. However, SPTE (now Strathclyde Partnership for transport or SPT) pressurized Scotrail to re-open this section in 1979, which included a new station, Argyle Street. The class 314 EMUs, which were based on the GN Electric class 313 units of 1975, were ordered specifically for this.
Located on the north Clyde electrics, the station also has its own entrances on Argyle Street, below the famous Central Station colonade. Dr Beeching closed this section, from Partick to Cambuslang in 1964, along with St Enoch station, leaving the Glasgow Queen Street low level section open. However, SPTE (now Strathclyde Partnership for transport or SPT) pressurized Scotrail to re-open this section in 1979, which included a new station, Argyle Street. The class 314 EMUs, which were based on the GN Electric class 313 units of 1975, were ordered specifically for this.
Railway type and traffic
Electric trains operating off overhead supply are the usual fare here! Class 314, 320 and 322 EMU's, carrying SPT Rail livery, operated by First Scotrail. Occasionally, railtours operate through here, sometimes using diesel traction. I have seen at a rail show a DVD of a rail tour, using top and tail class 50's passing through this location.
Also from time to time the Scotrail sleeper is diverted via the low level lines, when this happens, the train will pass through slowly, to limit diesel emmisions.
There is no freight, except perhaps an occasional engineers train.
Also from time to time the Scotrail sleeper is diverted via the low level lines, when this happens, the train will pass through slowly, to limit diesel emmisions.
There is no freight, except perhaps an occasional engineers train.
Environment
The station is underground so you won't be bothered by the weather. CCTV covers the station, and staff do occasionally come down to check things are ok. However, at night, it can be different, so always take care. Due to the rivalry of the old firm (Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic), don't wear any football colours, of any team.
Road directions
From M8 eastbound, Junction 21:
Come off M8 at Junction 21 (signposted East Kilbride). The motorway ends at a junction with the A8 Paisley Road. Turn right along Paisley Road and continue for 600m until you come to the junction with Commerce Street. Turn left and cross over the Clyde. Straight over the next two junctions along Oswald Street and then Hope Street. Once onto Hope Street, you'll find off-street parking on the right hand side (certainly short stay and probably long stay).
From M8 westbound, Junction 20:
Come off the M8 at junction 20 after crossing the Kingston Bridge. This should bring you onto West Street which you continue along north to Paisley Road. Turn right onto Paisley Road, along Paisley Road until you reach the junction with Commerce Street; turn left onto Commerce Street and cross the Clyde. Continue over the next junction onto Oswald Street, then over the next onto Hope Street. Glasgow Central's off street parking is on the right hand side.
Once there, enter the station, and look for signs showing either 'low level trains' or 'platforms 14 and 15'.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Glasgow Central Low Level map co-ordinates
Come off M8 at Junction 21 (signposted East Kilbride). The motorway ends at a junction with the A8 Paisley Road. Turn right along Paisley Road and continue for 600m until you come to the junction with Commerce Street. Turn left and cross over the Clyde. Straight over the next two junctions along Oswald Street and then Hope Street. Once onto Hope Street, you'll find off-street parking on the right hand side (certainly short stay and probably long stay).
From M8 westbound, Junction 20:
Come off the M8 at junction 20 after crossing the Kingston Bridge. This should bring you onto West Street which you continue along north to Paisley Road. Turn right onto Paisley Road, along Paisley Road until you reach the junction with Commerce Street; turn left onto Commerce Street and cross the Clyde. Continue over the next junction onto Oswald Street, then over the next onto Hope Street. Glasgow Central's off street parking is on the right hand side.
Once there, enter the station, and look for signs showing either 'low level trains' or 'platforms 14 and 15'.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Glasgow Central Low Level map co-ordinates
Parking
There is car parking available. However, I would recommend using public transport to reach this location.
Public transport
Bus services are provided by First Glasgow in the city, whilst the routes from Ayrshire and Fife are both served by Stagecoach Fife and Stagecoach Western
Train services are provided by First Scotrail who also provide services above. Other service providers above ground are Virgin Trains and GNER.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Train services are provided by First Scotrail who also provide services above. Other service providers above ground are Virgin Trains and GNER.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
The station is located next to Argyle Street, and therefore Glasgow City Centre. In addition, WH Smith, Burger King, Superdrug, and RBS cash machines are in the concourse of the main central station, where there are toilets.
Always take care when crossing Argyle Street.
Always take care when crossing Argyle Street.
Accommodation
Glasgow has a plentiful supply of accommodation, but try the Visit Scotland website for more information.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Glasgow Central Low Level
Streetmap links
Glasgow Central Low Level general view map
Glasgow Central Low Level close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Glasgow Central Low Level
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Glasgow Central Low Level
Googly map
Glasgow Central Low Level general view map
Glasgow Central Low Level close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Glasgow Central Low Level
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Do not use flash photography. This can distract drivers, and set off fire detection equipment.
There is no traffic noise, so you can use videos, but be aware, with photos as well, that the station is an island platform, which can get busy. Waiting passengers could, unintentionally, obstruct shots.
There is no traffic noise, so you can use videos, but be aware, with photos as well, that the station is an island platform, which can get busy. Waiting passengers could, unintentionally, obstruct shots.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Fig 2 - Looking east
Fig 3 - Looking west
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
