THE Glasgow Subway is getting a colourful £1.7million facelift - and it could earn the city a gold in the race to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Out goes the bold orange which has been a feature of the underground for the last 30 years.

Reader Poll Will you miss the Subway’s orange trains? Yes 34.2% No 59.2% Don't know 6.6%

And in comes a new eyecatching scheme of carmine and cream on the inside - and bright blue on the outside.

The colour change for the Subway carriages signals an end to the famous nickname for the city's underground system, the Clockwork Orange.

The first of the new-look fleet, which bosses say will provide extra comfort for passengers, were unveiled yesterday as they took to the tracks.

As well as being given a makeover, the carriages have been stripped back to their shell with everything including wiring, suspension and brakes replaced.

And new lighting and redesigned handrails have been installed to help disabled and visually impaired people.

Timesfile The Glasgow Subway was the second in the UK and the third in the world when it opened 111 years ago. Underground rail networks were already operating in London and Budapest. Around 13.5million people use the Subway each year - more than 40,000 on most week days - with one in four being a student. The last upgrade cost £43m and the Subway was shut for three years before re-opening in 1980. It was nicknamed the Clockwork Orange, after the famous film at that time, because the carriages were orange and went in a circle. Trains travel on an inner and outer circle through 15 stations. The three busiest are Buchanan Street, St Enoch and Hillhead. Adults pay £1 and children 50p. Trains are scheduled to take 24 minutes to complete their route around the city. The Subway has almost 400 staff. A continuing maintenance programme costs £6m a year. Transport bosses want to expand the system by opening more stations and more tunnels and having extended opening hours.

As the first of the blue carriages went into service, the last of the orange carriages was taken away for its makeover.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said: "Today marks the end of an era for the orange Subway car.

"The fleet's last remaining orange car is next in line for refurbishment and has been taken out of service."

The power cars at the front and back of each of the Subway trains are being revamped in carmine and cream to match the inside of the new-look carriages.

The colour scheme, which features on seats, harks back to the system's original trademark livery more than 100 years ago.

But the outside blue on the passenger carriages flies the flag in support of Glasgow's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in seven years' time.

A giant action shot of swimmer Todd Cooper is plastered over the side of the carriages.

The flying Scotsman won a bronze medal last year in the 4x100m medley relay when the Games were staged in Melbourne, Australia. He said: "Winning bronze in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne is the highlight of my career so far.

"But I can't think of anything more inspiring than competing in Glasgow in front of a passionate home crowd."

The Subway's bright orange was adopted in the 70s when the system was run by the Greater Glasgow Passenger Transport, whose livery was orange. The Subway handles 13.5million passengers a year and the number is expected to soar if the Games do come to the city.

Already delegates who will vote for Glasgow or its Nigerian rival have taken a ride on the Subway as part of fact finding tours of the city.

It is expected the carriages will stay blue for 2014 if Glasgow comes up trumps when the winning city is announced in November.

But they may eventually also go carmine and cream.

SPT chairman Alistair Watson - who is also a senior city councillor - says the upgraded carriages will also provide additional comfort for commuters. He said: "We're happy to lend our support to Glasgow's Games bid.

"The Subway system has served the city well for more than 100 years and remains an important part of the transport infrastructure."

SPT chiefs want major investment to replace the existing fleet and to expand the underground system to other parts of the city.

Mr Watson said: "The current programme of rolling stock refurbishment is much needed and will ensure that passengers travel in greater comfort."

The refurbishment work - due to be completed in August next year - is being carried out by Springburn-based Railcare Ltd at a cost of £1.7m.

Labour MSP Paul Martin welcomed the contract and said it would help safeguard the 200-strong workforce.

David Wallace, Subway operations director, said the new-look carriages will be better equipped for partially-sighted passengers and in the future could be fitted with CCTV cameras and digital media screens.