Glen Douglas Halt railway station

Last updated

Glen Douglas Halt

Glen Douglas Platform
West Highland Railway Line at Glen Douglas - geograph.org.uk - 392843.jpg
The West Highland Line in Glen Douglas
General information
Location Glen Douglas between Garelochhead station and Arrochar and Tarbert station, Argyll and Bute
Scotland
Coordinates 56°09′24″N4°46′47″W / 56.156589°N 4.7798114°W / 56.156589; -4.7798114
Grid reference NS 2745 9947
Platforms2
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original company West Highland Railway
Pre-grouping North British Railway
Post-grouping London and North Eastern Railway
Key dates
7 August 1894 [1] [2] Opened
By September 1926Re-named Glen Douglas Platform (Private) [1]
By May 1942 [1] Re-named Glen Douglas (Private)
12 June 1961Re-named Glen Douglas Halt [1]
15 June 1964Closed for passengers [1]
1973closed completely

Glen Douglas Halt railway station was known as Craggan in the line's construction reports, [3] also Glen Douglas Siding, Glen Douglas Platform (Private), Glen Douglas (Private) and finally Glen Douglas Halt. Opened by the North British Railway in 1894 [1] its status has changed several times along with its official name. The form Glendouglas was also sometimes used, such as on the platform name board. [4]

Contents

Location

This old station on the Glasgow-Crianlarich trunk section of the West Highland Line was situated in a remote spot above Craggan, Loch Long, [5] at the head of Glen Douglas, which drops away east to Inverbeg on Loch Lomond. [6] It is in the parish of Luss, historically in Dunbartonshire, now in the Argyll and Bute Council area. [7] It is at a local summit (560 feet, 171 m) [8] between the stations of Garelochhead and Arrochar and Tarbet. [9] The site is accessible by a short track from the public road between Craggan and Inverbeg via Glen Douglas. The Three Lochs Way, a 34-mile (55 km) off-road walking and cycle route between Balloch and Inveruglas, passes by the station. [10]

History

System map of the West Highland Railway West Highland Rly.png
System map of the West Highland Railway

The West Highland Railway opened the line to passengers on 7 August 1894; later it was operated by the North British Railway, until in 1923 it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway. In 1948 the line became part of the Scottish Region of British Railways following nationalisation.

Rannoch Railway station School Old Rannoch railway station school building, east of the station, West Highland Line, Scotland.jpg
Rannoch Railway station School

When the line was being built, the West Highland Railway was concerned about possible damage to the line caused by earth tremors emanating from the Highland Boundary Fault, an ancient geological fracture zone, branches of which run in the area. A warning bell was therefore fitted in the signalbox (and also in Arrochar and Tarbet signalbox). There is no record of its ever being activated. [11]

The status of the station was somewhat open to question from the start [3] and the precise details of naming and use are debated. One source gives the designation from 1895 to 1926 as Glen Douglas Siding, supported by OS map place names; Glen Douglas Platform (Private) from 1926 to 1942; Glen Douglas (Private) from 1942 to 1961 and finally Glen Douglas Halt as a stop for the general public from 1961 to its final closure in 1964. The Summer 1962 timetable shows 4 trains each way (6 on a Sunday). [12] The NBR Study Group record that Glen Douglas ceased to see regular passenger use after 1926 when it is recorded that the station was mainly used by school pupils. [13] The halt was used by railway staff until about 1973 [14]

In 1896 the all station service from Craigendoran to Arrochar gave Glen Douglas passing place a regular service. [15]

In the 1897 regulations for the exchange of goods between the North British Railway and the Caledonian Railway Glen Douglas is not recorded as a fully fledged station. [16]

The station was used from September 1926 by the children of railway personnel who attended the LNER school there, other schools being at Gorton in an old carriage on the platform and at Rannoch in a purpose built corrugated iron building.

A small school is shown on OS maps located near Tullich and a hamlet of Craggan is shown on the shores of Loch Long with a Creagan Sithe place name near by. [17]

An official British Railways photograph of 1959 shows a one coach Wickham railbus taken at a neat and tidy Glen Douglas Station with a northbound train from Craigendoran. This was the 'Wee Arrochar' service from Craigendoran Upper station that ceased in 1964 after which Glen Douglas Halt closed. [18] Seating and lighting was provided. [19]

Infrastructure

Standing close to the Glen Douglas Summit at 564 feet (172 metres) and 15 miles (24 km) from Craigendoran Junction [20] the station had an island platform within a passing loop. In common with the line's other remote passing places, Corrour and Gorton, on the platform it had a tall conventional signal box and adjacent low buildings in which the staff lived [3] which have now been demolished.

A pair of semi-detached small railway cottages were located at Glen Douglas, similar in appearance to the one at Whistlefield railway station. [21]

The 1914 OS map records the name 'Glen Douglas Siding' and shows a signal box, an island platform with buildings, a short loading dock and a single siding to the south on the western side with associated structures and a building all linked to the rough access track. [17] The Colquhoun's Estate tenants had successfully petitioned the North British Railway for this freight facility that served both Lochlongside and Lochlomondside. [15] The siding was opened on 27 May 1895. [5]

DM Glen Douglas is connected on the east side of the line to the rail network via a short branch from the West Highland Line, served from the south and running into the depot at the site of the old station which at one time mainly served the base. [4] A ground frame is present and the site is a radio electronic token block exchange point. [20] The track runs as if an island platform were still present. [20]

The West Highland Line

Preceding station National Rail logo.svg National Rail Following station
Garelochhead   ScotRail
West Highland Line 		  Arrochar and Tarbet
Garelochhead   Caledonian Sleeper
Highland Caledonian Sleeper 		  Arrochar and Tarbet
  Historical railways  
Whistlefield   North British Railway
West Highland Railway
  Arrochar and Tarbet

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll and Bute</span> Council area of Scotland

Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod. The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Councillor Jim Lynch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrour railway station</span> Railway station in the Scottish Highlands

Corrour railway station is on the West Highland Line, near Loch Ossian on the Corrour Estate, in the Highland Region of Scotland. It is the highest mainline railway station in the United Kingdom at an elevation of 1,340 feet (410 m) above sea level. It is located between Rannoch and Tulloch, and is sited 71 miles 54 chains (115.3 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh. ScotRail manage the station and provide most services, along with Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrochar and Tarbet railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Arrochar and Tarbet railway station is a railway station on the West Highland Line in Scotland. It stands between the villages of Arrochar and Tarbet. It is sited 19 miles 45 chains (31.5 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Ardlui and Garelochhead. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helensburgh Upper railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Helensburgh Upper railway station serves the town of Helensburgh, Scotland, on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde to the west of Glasgow. It is located in a residential area uphill from the town centre and is by far the smaller of the town's two stations. It is on the West Highland Line, 2 miles 8 chains (3.4 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, the first station on the line before Garelochhead. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardlui railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Ardlui railway station is a rural railway station, serving Ardlui at the north end of Loch Lomond, in Scotland. The station is located on the West Highland Line, sited 27 miles 43 chains (44.3 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Crianlarich and Arrochar and Tarbet. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rannoch railway station</span> Railway station in Perth and Kinross, Scotland

Rannoch railway station, on the West Highland Line, serves the area of Rannoch in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. In 2017, Simon Jenkins reported it to be one of the best 10 stations in Britain. It is situated between Corrour and Bridge of Orchy, 64 miles 36 chains (103.7 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, along with Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crianlarich railway station</span> Railway station in Stirling, Scotland

Crianlarich railway station is a railway station serving the village of Crianlarich in Scotland. It is located on the West Highland Line, sited 41 miles 25 chains (66.5 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, with Ardlui to the south, and Tyndrum Lower and Upper Tyndrum to the north west, on the routes to Oban and Mallaig respectively, which diverge immediately north of the station. ScotRail, who manage the station, operate most services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garelochhead railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Garelochhead railway station is a railway station serving the village of Garelochhead, on the Gare Loch, in Scotland. This station is on the West Highland Line and is a boundary station for SPT. It is sited 8 miles 76 chains (14.4 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Arrochar and Tarbet and Helensburgh Upper. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craigendoran railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Craigendoran railway station is a railway station serving Craigendoran, east of Helensburgh, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail, which operates all services at the station. It is located on the North Clyde Line between Helensburgh Central and Cardross, 23 miles 18 chains (37.4 km) west of Glasgow Queen Street, measured via Singer and Maryhill. West Highland Line trains used to call here but no longer do following the closure of the upper platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Highland Railway</span> Former railway company in Scotland

The West Highland Railway was a railway company that constructed a railway line from Craigendoran to Fort William and Mallaig. The line was built through remote and difficult terrain in two stages: the section from Craigendoran to Fort William opened in 1894, with a short extension to Banavie on the Caledonian Canal opening in 1895.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhu railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Rhu is a closed railway station located in the village of Rhu, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on the east shore of Gare Loch. It is located towards the southern end of the West Highland Railway.

The Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway was independently sponsored to build along the north of the River Clyde. It opened in 1858, joining with an earlier local line serving Balloch. Both were taken over by the powerful North British Railway in 1865, and for some time the line was the main route in the area. As industry developed other lines were opened to serve it, and the line formed the core of a network in the area.

Glen Falloch Halt railway station was a remote rural railway station in Glen Falloch, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Opened in 1946 by the LNER, it was located in Glen Falloch on the Ardlui side of the viaduct, but reported out of use by around 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorton railway station (Scotland)</span> Closed railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Gorton railway station or Gortan railway station, named for the nearby Meall a Ghortain area of high ground, was a remote rural private railway station on Rannoch Moor, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1894 by the North British Railway, it was located at the present day Gorton Crossing engineer's siding where the ancient Rannoch Drove Road crossed the railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fersit Halt railway station</span> Former railway station in Scotland

Fersit Halt railway station named after the nearby hamlet of Fersit, was situated close to Tulloch railway station in Lochaber, Highland council area, Scotland. Fersit was a remote rural temporary private halt at the north end of Loch Treig where workers were housed who worked on the Lochaber hydroelectric scheme. The halt was opened in 1931 by the LNER, it was located near the site of a contractors railway ballast siding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banavie Pier railway station</span> Disused railway station in Banavie, Highland

Banavie Pier railway station was the terminus of a short branch and was at first known as Banvie, opened by the North British Railway in 1895. The station's location was just above the impressive flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal known as "Neptune's Staircase", Banavie, Highland council area, Scotland.

Inveruglas was a remote temporary private railway station near the hamlet of Inveruglas, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1945 by the LNER, it was built in connection with the construction of the Sloy Hydro-Electric facility and was located on the Ardlui side of the Inveruglas Viaduct and recorded to be out of use by around 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whistlefield railway station</span> Disused railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Whistlefield, later Whistlefield Halt, was a minor station on the West Highland Line 10.30 miles from Craigendoran Junction railway station near the hamlet of Portincaple on Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1896 by the West Highland Railway, it was built on a single track section without a passing loop in between Garelochhead and Glen Douglas and closed by the British Railways Board in 1964.

Faslane Platform railway station or Faslane Junction Platform railway station was a temporary private railway station located near the Stuckendoff PoW camp, Shandon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1945 by the LNER in connection with the construction of the Loch Sloy Hydro-Electric facility and was located on the Shandon side of the Chapel Burn and recorded to be out of use by around 1949 in the British Railways era.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 104. ISBN   1-85260-508-1.
  2. ↑ Railway Passenger Stations by M.Quick page 210
  3. 1 2 3 McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 11.
  4. 1 2 Historic Environment Scotland. "Glen Douglas Halt (128009)". Canmore . Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  5. 1 2 Building the West Highland Railway Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Heritage, http://www.arrocharheritage.com/Navvies.htm
  6. ↑ Mountain Moor and Loch p43
  7. ↑ Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Scotlands Places, https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/record/hes/128009/glen-douglas-halt/rcahms
  8. ↑ Thomas, p 15
  9. ↑ Mountain Moor and Loch, map inside front cover
  10. ↑ Helensburgh & District Access Trust, http://threelochsway.co.uk/
  11. ↑ Arrochar and Tarbet, Friends of the West Highland Lines, http://www.westhighlandline.org.uk/index.php/stations Archived 14 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ British Railways Passenger Services Scotland (18th June to 9th September inclusive 1962), British Transport Commission
  13. ↑ "NBR List of Stations with dates of opening and closure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Railway Passenger Stations by M.Quick page 206
  15. 1 2 McGregor, John (2014). The West Highland Railway. 120 Years. Amberley Publishing Limited.
  16. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 49.
  17. 1 2 "Dumbartonshire Sheet VII (includes: Arrochar; Luss) Publication date:1923. Date revised: 1914" . Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  18. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage". Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  19. ↑ McGregor, John (2014). The West Highland Railway 120 Years. Amberley Publishing. p. 65. ISBN   9781445633459.
  20. 1 2 3 Jacobs, Gerald (2001). Railway Track Diagrams. Book 1: Scotland and the Isle of Man. Trackmaps. p. 21. ISBN   978-0-9549866-3-6.
  21. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage" . Retrieved 19 December 2017.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.