Portessie railway station

Last updated

Portessie
Dismantled Railway, Strathlene - geograph.org.uk - 279685.jpg
The course of the old Portessie GNoSR station
General information
Location Portessie, Moray
Scotland
Coordinates 57°41′11″N2°55′48″W / 57.686314°N 2.930036°W / 57.686314; -2.930036
Grid reference NJ 4464 6665
Platforms3
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original company Highland Railway
Pre-grouping Highland Railway
Post-grouping London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 August 1884 [1] Station opens as 'Portessie'
1 May 1886 [1] Portessie station and junction opened with the opening of the Moray Coast Railway.
9 August 1915 [1] The Highland Railway station closed to passengers
1 April 1944Highland Railway line closed to goods traffic
6 May 1968 [1] Station closes to passenger and goods traffic

Portessie railway station [2] [3] was a joint Highland Railway (HR) and Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) station at the junction between the Moray Coast Railway and the Buckie and Portessie Branch which also served the small fishing village of Portessie, in the parish of Rathven, Scottish county of Moray.

Contents

The HR station's platform was served by trains on the Buckie and Portessie Branch north of Keith until 1915 and remained open for freight from Buckie station until April 1944. [4] The GNoSR station remained open until 6 May 1968 when it closed for both passenger and goods traffic. [1]

History

The Highland Railway

Work had begun on the Keith to Portessie line of the Highland Railway on 7 November 1882.The station was opened by the Highland Railway in 1884 to serve the village of Portessie. a short life with services being suspended during World War I on 9 August 1915 [5] and the rails south of Buckie removed as far as Aultmore, although it was the intention to reinstate the track and restart services when the war ended. The central section of the line was still without track in 1923, [6] when the Highland Railway was absorbed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). After this amalgamation the track between Buckie and Aultmore was relaid, however services were not restarted and the track removed again [7] in around 1937. [8]

The separated stub from Buckie to Portessie survived until 1944 in isolation from the rest of the, by then, London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) system.

The construction of the GNoSR Moray coast route had "effectively doomed the Highland route. Westbound journeys were shorter via the GNSR, and although the route to Aberdeen was longer, the Moray Coast Railway had services that were faster, more frequent and more convenient, with through trains running from Elgin, along the coast and to Aberdeen. As a rather straggly branch line, the Highland route struggled to compete, and the population between Buckie and Keith was too sparse to provide much additional traffic." [4]

Buckie and
Portessie Branch
(Highland Railway)
BSicon exCONTg.svg
BSicon exvSHI2gl-.svg
Portessie Junction
BSicon exvHST.svg
Portessie
BSicon exdHST.svg
BSicon exdHST.svg
Buckie
(GNoSR)(HR)
BSicon exdCONTgq.svg
BSicon exSTR~L.svg
BSicon exSTRr.svg
BSicon exdSTR~R.svg
BSicon exHST.svg
Rathven
BSicon exHST.svg
Drybridge Platform
BSicon exHST.svg
Enzie
BSicon exHST.svg
Aultmore
BSicon CONT2.svg
BSicon xSTR+c3.svg
BSicon STRc1.svg
BSicon xABZg+4.svg
Keith West Junction
BSicon dCONTgq.svg
BSicon STR~L.svg
BSicon STR+r.svg
BSicon dSTR~R.svg
BSicon vHST.svg
Keith Junction
BSicon v-SHI2g+r.svg
Keith East Junction
BSicon CONTf.svg

The Great North of Scotland Railway

In 1881 the Great North of Scotland Railway put a bill to parliament to extend its Portsoy line along the Moray Firth as far as Buckie. [9] In 1882 the Great North of Scotland applied for permission to build a 25+14-mile (40.6 km) line from Portsoy following the coast to Buckie and then running on to Elgin.

In 1923 the Great North of Scotland Railway was absorbed by the London and North Eastern Railway and this company was nationalised in 1948, and services provided by British Railways. The station and line were recommended for closure by Dr Beeching in his report "The Reshaping of British Railways" [10] and closed on 6 May 1968. [11] [12]

The station was host to a LNER camping coach in 1935 and 1936 and possibly one for some of 1934, there were two coaches here from 1937 to 1939. [13] A camping coach was also positioned here by the Scottish Region from 1952 to 1963. [14]

The GNoSR station was served by through trains running between Aberdeen and Elgin. [15] There were no Sunday services. [16]

Joint station Infrastructure

The Highland

The station had an island platform with a station building that it shared with the GNoSR. [17] The HR had a two bay engine shed, a water tower, a turntable and two exchange sidings. A signal box was originally located on the island platform and a run round or passing loop was present. [18] [3] Following the cessation of passenger services the signal box was closed and one bay was removed from the engine shed. The two lines ran parallel for a short distance before entering the station. [19]

The station was designed by Murdoch Paterson who also designed the station itself. [20] [21]

The Great North of Scotland

The GNoSR station had two platforms and as stated it shared an island platform with the Highland Railways branch to Keith. The station had a passing loop, a signal box, a wooden station building, a loading bank with two sidings and a London and North Eastern Railway style pedestrian overbridge. [18] [22]

The site today

In 2012 the platforms could still be seen, the trackbed was overgrown and partly infilled. The turntable pit associated with the Highland Railway shed also remained as did the base of the old water tower. [23] [24] The Buckie and Portessie Branch once ran westwards from Portessie, remaining on top of the cliff, passing the Pot O' Linn, skirting the rear of Cliff Terrace and crossing Harbour Street then swinging south and following the curve of Mill Crescent to stop at Buckie 'Highland' station.

See also

Related Research Articles

The Buckie and Portessie Branch was a railway branch line in Scotland, built by the Highland Railway to serve an important fishing harbour at Buckie, in Banffshire. It connected with the rival Great North of Scotland Railway at Portessie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grange railway station (Scotland)</span> Former railway station in Scotland

Grange railway station was a railway station in the parish of Grange, historically in Banffshire. Opened in 1856 by the Great North of Scotland Railway, three years later it became a junction station after the Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Railway built a branch to Banff and Portsoy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckie railway station</span> Disused railway station in Scotland

Buckie railway station was a railway station in Buckie, in current day Moray. The station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckpool railway station</span> Disused railway station in Scotland

Buckpool railway station was a railway station in Buckpool near Buckie in Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. The village and station were originally named Nether Buckie station and the station was renamed 'Buckpool' on 1 January 1887, closing to regular passenger traffic on 7 March 1960, several years before the closure of the line itself in 1968.

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

Portgordon railway station was a railway station in Portgordon in Moray, Scotland. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. In 1923 the GNoSR became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and at nationalisation in 1948 became part of British Railways. The station was named Port Gordon railway station until 1938 when it was renamed 'Portgordon' by the LNER.

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

Spey Bay railway station was a railway station in Spey Bay, Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. The station was originally named Fochabers-on-Spey railway station on 1 May 1886. In November 1893 it became Fochabers railway station, Fochabers and Spey Bay railway station on 1 January 1916 before finally becoming on 1 January 1918 Spey Bay railway station. It closed to regular passenger traffic on 6 May 1968 on the same date as the line itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garmouth railway station</span>

Garmouth railway station was a railway station in Garmouth, parish of Urquhart, Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1884, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. It served the villages of Kingston-on-Spey and Garmouth and closed to regular passenger traffic on 6 May 1968 on the same date as the line itself.

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

Urquhart railway station was a railway station serving the village of Urquhart, parish of Urquhart, Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1884, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains.

Calcots railway station was a railway station in the parish of St Andrews-Lhanbryd, Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1884, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. It served a rural area rather than a discrete settlement and closed to regular passenger traffic on 6 May 1968 on the same date as the line itself.

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

Enzie railway station was a station which served the hamlet of Enzie, in the Scottish county of Moray. It was served by trains on the Buckie and Portessie Branch north of Keith. The latter station is now the nearest to Enzie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drybridge Platform railway station</span>

Drybridge Platform railway station or Drybridge railway station was a station which served the hamlet of that name in the parish of Rathven and in addition provided transport for the inhabitants of the Parish of Deskford, Scottish county of Moray. It was served by trains on the Buckie and Portessie Branch north of Keith.

Rathven railway station was a station which served the hamlet of that name, about a mile away in the parish of Rathven, Scottish county of Moray. It was served by trains on the Buckie and Portessie Branch north of Keith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckie railway station (Highland Railway)</span> Disused railway station in Scotland

Buckie railway station was one of two stations which once served the town of Buckie, in the parish of Rathven, Scottish county of Moray. This Highland Railway station was served by trains on the Buckie and Portessie Branch north of Keith until 1915 and remained open for freight until April 1944.

Findochty railway station was a railway station in the small fishing village of Findochty, Moray about 3 miles to the east of Buckie. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains.

Portknockie railway station was a railway station that served the small fishing village of Portknockie, close to Cullen in Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains.

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

Cullen railway station was a railway station that served the small fishing village of Cullen, close to Portknockie in Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1886, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains.

Tochieneal railway station was a railway station that served the small industrial village of Tochieneal, close to Cullen in Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1884. The station closed to regular passenger traffic on 1 October 1951, more than a decade before the total closure of the line itself in 1968.

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

Glassaugh railway station was a railway station that served the rural area of Glassaugh and the nearby Glenglassaugh distillery close to Portsoy in Moray. The railway station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) on its Moray Firth coast line in 1884, served by Aberdeen to Elgin trains. The station closed to regular passenger traffic on 21 September 1953, more than a decade before the total closure of the line itself in 1968.

Cornhill railway station was an intermediate stop situated on the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) line from Cairnie Junction to Tillynaught. There was only a single platform at Cornhill that served the nearby village that lies in Fordyce Parish, of what was once Banffshire, 8+12 miles (13.7 km) from Banff itself. The line ran to Tillynaught where it split to reach Banff by a branch line or Elgin by the Moray Coast line.

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

Glenbarry railway station, previously known as Barry was an intermediate stop with a passing loop situated on the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) line from Cairnie Junction to Tillynaught. There were two platforms at Glenbarry that served the nearby hamlet that lies in what was once Banffshire. The line northwards ran to Tillynaught where it split to reach Banff by a branch line or Elgin by the Moray Coast line.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Butt 1995, p. 189.
  2. RCAHMS Site Record
  3. 1 2 Banffshire Sheet II.SW. Publication date: 1905. Date revised: 1902.
  4. 1 2 Long Lost Railways Accessed : 2015-01-23
  5. Butt 1995, p. 83.
  6. Vallance & Clinker 1971, p. 39.
  7. Vallance & Clinker 1971, pp. 174–175.
  8. Geograph
  9. Barclay-Harvey 1950, pp. 92–93.
  10. Beeching 1963a , p. 125
    Beeching 1963b , map 9
  11. Butt 1995, p. 47.
  12. Maxtone 2005, p. 3.
  13. McRae 1997, p. 11.
  14. McRae 1998, p. 28.
  15. Vallance 1991, p. 95.
  16. "Passenger Timetable: Scottish Region". British Railways. May 1948. Table 150. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  17. Maxtone 2005, p. 35.
  18. 1 2 Maxtone 2005, p. 30.
  19. Banffshire Sheet II.SW Probable Publication date: ca. 1949. Date revised: 1938
  20. RCAHMS site record
  21. Scottish Architects
  22. Maxtone 2005, p. 31.
  23. Maxtone 2005, p. 32.
  24. "Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)". RailScot. see More details

Sources


Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Buckie   Highland
1884–1915
 Terminus
Buckie   Great North of Scotland   Findochty