Transport

"Prompt at 3.30pm the siren blew and within a short time Helensburgh Fire Engine arrived at the pier, for a demonstration. The firemaster and a 10 man crew performed successfully." — it was reported in the Helensburgh and Gareloch Times in December 1920.

So, Helensburgh now had its first motorised fire engine. SN1549 was a Dennis 'N' Type fire engine. This fire engine left the factory in December 1920 for Helensburgh. The lamps and bell were solid brass and the tyres were solid too.

DURING 1925 there were calls in Helensburgh for a motorised ambulance. Letters were continually letters sent to and published in the Helensburgh and Gareloch Times asking for a new ambulance.

At a meeting in March 1925, Town Council representatives, along with members of the Infirmary board, decided that ". . . there were not enough accidents to warrant a motor ambulance."

OFFICIALLY it is the A83 Trunk Road. For centuries however travellers have known it as the Rest and Be Thankful.

At the top they have welcomed the chance to draw their breath and enjoy the view as they crossed the summit at 860 feet on the road that leads from Loch Long to Loch Awe via Glen Croe and past the picturesque Butterbridge into Glen Kinglas.

IT HAS been reported — and subsequently denied — that Network Rail is considering closing Helensburgh Upper Station.

The station has been named as 'at risk' in a route utilisation strategy which sets out a vision of the future for rail passengers and Scotland's thousands of miles of track and railway stations.

SEAFARER Finlay Campbell was born in Helensburgh in 1869. He signed on as an apprentice on a full-sailed clipper ship, the "Earl of Wemyss".

His captain was another Helensburgh man, Captain Colquhoun. Their ship sank during a storm and Finlay was one of a few survivors.