Grassy train pops up in Mount Vernon Park after original is destroyed in devastating fire

On Monday, firefighters tackled a blaze as it tore through Mount Vernon Park, causing £5000 worth of damage.

As a result, a children's play area was completely destroyed in the process - including a beloved train.

A few days later, a new, grassy, green train has popped up in its place. 

READ MORE: Mount Vernon community woodland area damaged in fire

Behind the work is Martin McGread, who re-built a new train in his own time with his own resources from his local business.

He told the Glasgow Times: “The fire was on Sunday night, so I went down on Monday night then finished it off on Tuesday.

“The original train was an absolute wreck after the fire. We had to take it away.

“I just had old wood in my back yard. I had some decking board and wood from an old job so I just used that and tried to make a makeshift one."

Martin who has been visiting the park and the train with his daughter for years, says he was "gutted" to see it burnt to ash.

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He added: "When I saw it destroyed I was gutted so I went down and put something in to try and replace it for the time being.

“With lockdown easing and all the kids being able to go back out a few more times a day, I wanted something there that they could still enjoy.

“I’ve had some really lovely compliments from the kits on it. One of them even said they liked my train better which was nice."

Two 18-year-olds have been arrested and charged in connection with the fire while no one was injured. 

In the meantime, a JustGiving fundraising page has already raised nearly £600 to cover the cost of repairing the damage.  

View the online fundraiser here.