An engineering firm run by father and son Dougie and Fraser Gibson has revealed ambitions to build the workforce at a “world-famous” site in Glasgow to more than 5,000 over the next decade.
Gibson's Engineering, which is engaged in train manufacturing, maintenance and repairs, said today it is “is immensely proud” to announce the opening of its new engineering facility at the St Rollox rail depot in Springburn, Glasgow.
It declared: “Affectionately referred to locally as 'The Caley', this iconic and important historic site is poised to play a pivotal role in preserving and building on Scotland’s rich heritage of railway engineering. It is the largest manufacturing, maintenance and repair rail depot in
Scotland, and the second-largest in the UK.”
The company said the re-opening of the Glasgow facility “will create employment opportunities for engineers, coachbuilders, project managers and apprentices, with the aim to expand the Gibson’s Engineering workforce to over 1,000 employees over the next five years and hopefully 5,000 over the next 10 years”.
It noted that the site’s skilled workforce would build new trains, maintain existing fleets and carry out repairs, such as accident damage and vehicle overhaul.
Gibson's Engineering said: “The depot will serve as a one-stop shop for train manufacturing, maintenance and repairs, ensuring the seamless operation of light and heavy rolling stock. St Rollox intends to have a fully electrified rail line from its buildings to the mainline, between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and will be the only active wheel-shop facility in Scotland.”
It added that the engineering facility ”will allow the site to once again play a prominent role in transforming the railway engineering industry in the UK over the next few decades and beyond.”
Gibson’s Engineering declared its directors and management team had a combined experience of more than 300 years in rail
transport engineering, and “a reputation for innovation, reliability and craftsmanship”.
Fraser Gibson, managing director of Gibson’s Engineering, said: “This is fantastic news for Scotland, which has a proud heritage and tradition of rail manufacturing, maintenance and repair. It’s full steam ahead and Dougie and I are excited to work with our team to get the facility fully operational, and to get ‘The Caley’ thriving again, as it did for over 160 years previously.”
Gibson’s Engineering noted that, following the closure of the depot in 2019 by an investment fund, businessman David Moulsdale purchased the facility in 2021 and had a "vision for the revitalisation of this landmark as a train engineering depot”.
It added: ”Over £10 million has already been invested by David including the purchase price of the facility, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance of the buildings.”
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