Miniature model of Glasgow landmark destroyed by fire goes on display

A miniature model of the historic Glasgow building which was destroyed in a major fire has "come home" to Glasgow Central Station.

Karen Bones spent 10 weeks working on a replica of the B-listed Victorian building, known as Union Corner.

Network Rail bought the model - which is made from recycled cardboard and depicts the businesses that were affected by the blaze - for £2,950.

It will be on display for the public at the station and form part of the Glasgow Central Tours, which take visitors behind the scenes of the Scotland's busiest railway station and explore its heritage.

"It feels fantastic for it to be going on display in the station," Bones said.

"It was my dream location for it but I didn't think it would ever happen.

"When Network Rail got in touch with me to ask about purchasing it, it just blew my mind."

She said she did not think the model would not have had the same impact if it went in a museum somewhere else in Glasgow.

"I'm delighted I gave it a go and it seems to have gone down really, really well," she added.

"People can now come to the station, look at the model and then walk out onto the street where the building used to be.

"It has definitely come home to the right place."

The Glasgow-born artist added she would miss having the model - which measures about 10in (25cm) high and 20in (50cm) wide - in her house.

The model features the building's landmark dome as well the iconic signs which once adorned its roof.

Bones described the model as a "monster" and much bigger than anything she had worked on before.

But the details, including thousands of individually hand-cut bricks and roof tiles and 74 windows, were the biggest challenge.

"The outpouring admiration I had received when I posted photos of it on social media was amazing and everyone has their own story about Union Corner," she told BBC Scotland News.

"It was such an iconic corner of the city so I'm hoping it brings back a lot of memories for people."

Union Corner dates back to 1851 and existed before Glasgow Central Station which opened in 1879.

Only the facade of the building was left standing after the fire, which broke out in a vape shop on 8 March.

Demolition work on the damaged building is now complete and Union Street is set to reopen fully on Friday afternoon following a months-long closure.

Karen's replica now has a place in the museum under Central Station and can be seen during tours.

Tour guide Sinead Fielding said the model will fit into the museum well and hopes it will encourage people to share their stories of the building.

"The museum is a living and breathing space that is constantly changing," Sinead told BBC Scotland News.

"Some people come here and are completely unaware of what happened so it will definitely bring a new perspective to the tours.

"I hope visitors will be amazed and appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into it - the details of everything are spot on."

Craig Milne, operations director at Network Rail, said him and his team had seen photos of the Union Corner model on social media and decided it would be a good fit for the station.

"This model captures a much-loved part of the city and pays tribute to the street following the fire," he said.

"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."