A long-hidden piece of railway heritage has returned to the spotlight in Springburn. Heritage and Hope, a 1989 sculpture by Vincent Butler, is back on public display after more than 20 years in storage.

The artwork depicts a railway worker and his daughter guiding a symbolic figure of hope, a tribute to the community that built Scotland’s locomotive legacy.

It was put away following the closure of Springburn Museum in 2001, but local artist Mandy McIntosh led efforts to revive it in 2024.

With support from Network Rail, ScotRail and community groups, the sculpture has been restored and installed on platform one at Springburn Station for hundreds of thousands of passengers to enjoy each year.

Its return not only honours the area’s past, but also signals ongoing investment in the station’s future, including potential accessibility improvements and station frontage works.

“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.”

Mandy McIntosh, local artist.