Glasgow Central Displays Miniature Tribute To Fire-Damaged Union Street Landmark

A miniature recreation of Glasgow’s Union Street corner has gone on display at Glasgow Central, preserving the memory of a landmark building badly damaged by fire earlier this year.

Network Rail has bought the model for the station museum, where it will now be included as part of the popular Glasgow Central Tours. The piece recreates the well-known corner building after the fire that broke out on 8 March 2026.

The detailed replica was created by artist Karen Bones, who made the work as a tribute to the building and its place in Glasgow’s history.

Taking around 10 weeks to complete, the model required more than 300 hours of work. It was built using wood, cardboard, foam sheet and acetate, before being hand-painted with acrylic.

The model will now be seen by visitors taking part in the award-winning Glasgow Central Tours, which take people behind the scenes at the historic station and explore its heritage. The tours attract thousands of visitors each year and offer a closer look at one of Scotland’s busiest railway stations.

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.”

Image: Network Rail