Darvel Branch
Encyclopedia
The Darvel Branch was an extension of the former Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
in Scotland built by the Glasgow and South Western Railway
to allow trains to travel between Kilmarnock
and Darvel
.
on 9 August 1848. The branch was extended to Newmilns
on 20 May 1850, and finally reached Darvel much later on 1 June 1896. Shortly after, on 1 May 1905, the line ceased to become a branch and became a through line to Strathaven
and beyond when the Glasgow and South Western Railway and the Caledonian Railway
opened a jointly run line. However despite being a through line, no trains ever ran between Kilmarnock and Strathaven, instead the two companies took it in turns to run the line between Darvel and Strathaven every six months.
The line east of Darvel was never successful and closed in 1939, with the rest of the line closed to passengers on 6 April 1964. Little evidence of the line still exists today, aside from the occasional embankment and cutting along the route. One notable landmark is a 26-arch viaduct
in Newmilns, part of which crosses the River Irvine
, and most of which cuts through the middle of the town.
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
The Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway was a railway in Scotland that provided train services between Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Ayr. For a short period, it also provided West Coast services between Glasgow and London. Opened in stages between 1839 and 1848, the line ran from Paisley in the...
in Scotland built by the Glasgow and South Western Railway
Glasgow and South Western Railway
The Glasgow and South Western Railway , one of the pre-grouping railway companies, served a triangular area of south-west Scotland, between Glasgow, Stranraer and Carlisle...
to allow trains to travel between Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
and Darvel
Darvel
Darvel is a small town in East Ayrshire, Scotland, located at the eastern end of the Irvine Valley and is sometimes referred to as "The Lang Toon" due to its quaint appearance on Ordnance Survey maps....
.
History
The line was built in stages, and originally opened as far as GalstonGalston, East Ayrshire
Galston is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland which has a population of 5000 . It is situated in wooded countryside 4 miles up-river from Kilmarnock and is one a group of the small towns located in the Irvine Valley between the towns of Hurlford and Newmilns. Galston is located in the Loudoun area...
on 9 August 1848. The branch was extended to Newmilns
Newmilns
Newmilns and Greenholm is a small burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It has a population of 3,057 people and lies on the A71, around seven miles east of Kilmarnock and twenty-five miles southwest of Glasgow...
on 20 May 1850, and finally reached Darvel much later on 1 June 1896. Shortly after, on 1 May 1905, the line ceased to become a branch and became a through line to Strathaven
Strathaven
Strathaven is a historic market town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1450, making the Town of Strathaven a burgh of barony. The town's principal industry was primarily weaving in the 19th and early 20th centuries, however this declined when faced by...
and beyond when the Glasgow and South Western Railway and the Caledonian Railway
Caledonian Railway
The Caledonian Railway was a major Scottish railway company. It was formed in the early 19th century and it was absorbed almost a century later into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, in the 1923 railway grouping, by means of the Railways Act 1921...
opened a jointly run line. However despite being a through line, no trains ever ran between Kilmarnock and Strathaven, instead the two companies took it in turns to run the line between Darvel and Strathaven every six months.
The line east of Darvel was never successful and closed in 1939, with the rest of the line closed to passengers on 6 April 1964. Little evidence of the line still exists today, aside from the occasional embankment and cutting along the route. One notable landmark is a 26-arch viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
in Newmilns, part of which crosses the River Irvine
River Irvine
The River Irvine is a river flowing through southwest Scotland, with its watershed on the Lanarkshire border of Ayrshire at an altitude of above sea-level, near Drumclog, and SW by W of Strathaven...
, and most of which cuts through the middle of the town.
Connections to other lines
- Darvel and Strathaven RailwayDarvel and Strathaven RailwayThe Darvel and Strathaven Railway linked, with the Darvel Branch to the former Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway in Scotland to allow trains to travel between Kilmarnock and Lanarkshire.-History:...
east of Darvel - Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr RailwayGlasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr RailwayThe Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway was a railway in Scotland that provided train services between Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Ayr. For a short period, it also provided West Coast services between Glasgow and London. Opened in stages between 1839 and 1848, the line ran from Paisley in the...
at Galston Branch Junction - Kilmarnock and Troon RailwayKilmarnock and Troon RailwayThe Kilmarnock and Troon Railway was the first railway line in Scotland authorised by Act of Parliament, in 1808; the engineer was William Jessop. It was the first railway in Scotland to use a steam locomotive; and it was the only one in Scotland for fourteen years...
west of Riccarton