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Monday 23 Mar 2026

Railway sculpture finds new home in Springburn after years in storage

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A celebrated railway sculpture that has been stored away for over two decades has been given a new lease of life at the heart of Springburn.

Heritage and Hope, created in 1989 by renowned artist Vincent Butler, depicts a railway worker and his daughter, guiding the figure of hope, symbolising the area’s proud locomotive-building heritage and the generations of families who helped shape Scotland’s Railway.

After the closure of Springburn Museum in 2001, the sculpture was placed in storage until local artist Mandy McIntosh stepped in to ensure it was preserved in 2024.

Working with Network Rail, ScotRail as well as local community groups, such as the Springburn Shopping Centre and Springburn Unity Network, the sculpture has now been restored and placed at Springburn Station.

Network Rail supported the restoration, casting a new plinth and installing it in a prominent position on platform one, where it will be seen by the hundreds of thousands of passengers who use the station each year.

The installation aligns with broader plans to improve Springburn station, with future phases potentially including accessibility upgrades and frontage enhancements.

It also reflects Network Rail and ScotRail’s shared commitment to celebrating local heritage while supporting vibrant communities across Scotland.

Brian Maley, project manager for strategy and investment at Network Rail, said: "We’re delighted to see Heritage and Hope return to Springburn.

“Springburn has played, and continues to play, an important role in Scotland’s railway story.”

Mandy McIntosh said: "This sculpture is so important in recognising Springburn’s industrial heritage It’s fitting that Heritage and Hope now has a permanent home at the train station. It's a wonderful link to the future for people and place in an area of such significance."

Paul McKay, ScotRail communications director, said: “Springburn has an incredible railway history, so it’s fantastic to see the Heritage and Hope statue back at the heart of the community that inspired it.

“This sculpture is a powerful reminder of the generations of railway workers and families who helped shape Scotland’s Railway and the communities around it.”