image for illustration: Union Corner, Glasgow (2024) Crowsus, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Network Rail has bought a miniature replica of Glasgow’s Union Street corner, preserving a piece of the city’s history and bringing it to life for visitors on the popular Glasgow Central Tours, reports Network Rail.
Network Rail writes:
Now on display in the station’s museum, the model recreates the much-loved building following the devastating fire that tore through the iconic corner on 8 March 2026. Artist Karen Bones created the intricate piece in tribute to the building and its place in the city’s history. The model took around 10 weeks and more than 300 hours to complete, using a combination of wood, cardboard, foam sheet and acetate, all hand-painted with acrylic. It will now form part of the award-winning Glasgow Central Tours, which take visitors behind the scenes of the historic station and explore its rich heritage. Attracting thousands of people each year, the tours offer a unique insight into one of Scotland’s busiest transport hubs.
Karen Bones said: ‘I’m inspired by all the stunning architecture around the city centre. When the fire happened, I felt compelled to recreate the building to remember it. I’m hoping that people who know it will have fond memories of the building when they see it and that visitors who didn’t know it will still be able to appreciate what a beautiful building it was.’
Sinead Fielding, Glasgow Central Tours guide, said: ‘One of the things people love most about the tours is discovering the stories behind Glasgow’s buildings and the role they’ve played in the city’s history. This model is such a special addition because it preserves a landmark that meant a lot to so many people. It gives visitors the chance to see the incredible detail and character of the Union Street corner up close, while helping to keep its memory alive for future generations.’
Craig Milne, operations director at Network Rail, said: ‘This model captures a much-loved part of the city and pays tribute to the street following the fire. While responding to the aftermath of the fire and helping customers navigate the disruption, I saw just how much the building meant to people. This replica goes to prove that, with Karen putting so much hard work into preserving the building won’t be forgotten. I’m so glad that visitors will be able to see it for years to come.’
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