Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway
Encyclopedia
The Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway (L&AR) was a railway company in Scotland
built in the late 19th century that provided services between Ardrossan
and Glasgow
, with branches to Irvine
and Kilbirnie
. The line was operated by the Caledonian Railway
with an aim to compete with the Glasgow and South Western Railway
(G&SWR). The line was extended in 1905 from Giffen
to Newton
, and in 1923 the line was merged, along with its G&SWR counterpart, into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway
(LMSR).
As a result of a single company now owning two lines travelling to the same locations, the L&AR lines were closed off in stages, starting with the branches to Irvine and Kilbirnie in 1930. The last section of the line to close was from Stevenston
to Ardrossan in the late 1960s. Only the line north of Neilston
is still open today, as part of the Cathcart Circle Lines
. Although the rest of the L&AR has long since been lifted, various embankments, viaducts, former station houses and abandoned platforms mark the route on which train passengers were once carried.
The Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway began life as the Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway, which was to be a 6.5 mile line running from Barrmill station
on the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway
to a junction just north of Kilwinning station
on the former Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
. To this effect, the 'Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway Act' received Royal Assent
on 20 August 1883. However a year later a heavily modified act was submitted to Parliament, including extensions to Ardrossan, Irvine, Ardeer Ironworks, Eglinton Ironworks and Kilbirnie. A change of name for the company was also approved, and so the 'Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Act' received Royal Assent on 28 August 1884. Robert McAlpine
was chosen as contractor
for the construction of the line.
The opening ceremony for the railway took place on 3 September 1888 at the Ardrossan station
, with a special train service running to Glasgow that day. Full passenger services began on 4 September 1888. The branch to Kilbirnie was opened on 1 November 1889 for goods traffic and opened to passengers on 2 December 1889, and the branch to Irvine was opened the following year on 2 June 1890. Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier station
opened on 30 May 1890.
Fierce rivalry with the Glasgow and South Western Railway meant that in 1898 construction began on a further extension of the line from Giffen
to Newton
. This meant that the Caledonian Railway would be able to avoid use of the Glasgow and Kilmarnock Joint Railway, and therefore avoid sharing revenue with the G&SWR.
After five years of construction the new branch opened on 1 May 1903 with several new stations along the route, many of which were duplicates of stations on the joint line.
group in 1923. Many stations had to be renamed so as not to become confused with their former G&SW counterparts. With too many lines serving the one area and no competition, the first closures on the line occurred in the summer of 1930 when the Irvine branch was closed to passenger services, with the Kilbirnie branch closing to all traffic later that same year (although freight services to Glengarnock
continued until 1945). On 4 July 1932 all stations from Ardrossan North to Uplawmoor were closed to passenger services.
Passenger and freight services to Montgomerie Pier continued for many years, and with the closure of the Stevenston to Kilwinning East section in June 1947 a link was created between the remaining line to Montgomerie Pier and the former G&SWR Glasgow line just to the west of the branch to Ardeer station
. This link was eventually closed to all traffic in 1968, and was completely lifted in 1970. A section of track from the site of Ardrossan North station remained joined to the former Ardrossan Railway. This section of track was used by the Shell Bitumen plant at Ardrossan Harbour.
. Various landmarks of the railway still exist throughout the former route, for example a large viaduct remains to the north of Kilwinning, now used as part of the National Cycle Network
. Two other prominent viaducts, namely the eleven arch span Gree viaduct and the seven arch span Giffenmill viaduct were both located between the former Lugton and Giffen stations and survived into the 21st century. This was short-lived as the Giffenmill viaduct was demolished in September 2006, with the Gree viaduct demolished shortly afterwards in February 2008, over five years after permission for its demolition was granted for a second time.
Also in the area is a single track running from Lugton
which follows the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway line to Beith until it reaches Barrmill, where it then heads south through to DM Beith along the original route of the L&AR before the 1905 extension was built. This track, mostly relaid in the 1950s, was used for freight by DM Beith, however it fell into disuse in 1996.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
built in the late 19th century that provided services between Ardrossan
Ardrossan
Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, with branches to Irvine
Irvine, North Ayrshire
Irvine is a new town on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland. According to 2007 population estimates, the town is home to 39,527 inhabitants, making it the biggest settlement in North Ayrshire....
and Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie is a small town of 7280 inhabitants situated in North Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland...
. The line was operated by 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...
with an aim to compete with 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...
(G&SWR). The line was extended in 1905 from Giffen
Giffen railway station
Giffen railway station was a railway station approximately one mile south-west of the village of Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :...
to Newton
Newton (South Lanarkshire) railway station
Newton railway station is a railway station located between the town of Cambuslang and the village of Newton in South Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail on the Argyle and Cathcart Circle Lines.-History:...
, and in 1923 the line was merged, along with its G&SWR counterpart, into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
(LMSR).
As a result of a single company now owning two lines travelling to the same locations, the L&AR lines were closed off in stages, starting with the branches to Irvine and Kilbirnie in 1930. The last section of the line to close was from Stevenston
Stevenston
Stevenston is a town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Saltcoats.-History:The town is named after Stephan Loccard or Lockhart, whose father obtained a grant of land from Richard de Morville, Lord Cunninghame and Constable of Scotland, around 1170....
to Ardrossan in the late 1960s. Only the line north of Neilston
Neilston railway station
Neilston railway station is a railway station in the village of Neilston, East Renfrewshire, Greater Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Cathcart Circle Lines, 18 km south east of Glasgow Central station.- History :The station was originally opened as...
is still open today, as part of the Cathcart Circle Lines
Cathcart Circle Lines
The Cathcart Circle Lines form a suburban railway route linking Glasgow to Cathcart via a circular line, with branches to Newton and Neilston. All of the routes serve Glasgow's southern suburbs, i.e. on the south bank of the River Clyde...
. Although the rest of the L&AR has long since been lifted, various embankments, viaducts, former station houses and abandoned platforms mark the route on which train passengers were once carried.
1883–1897: Early days
Barrmill railway station
Barrmill railway station was a railway station serving the village of Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was originally part of the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.- History :...
on the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway
Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway
The Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway was a railway co-owned by Caledonian Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway and was an amalgation of two different lines: the Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway and the Glasgow and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.-Glasgow, Barrhead and...
to a junction just north of Kilwinning station
Kilwinning railway station
Kilwinning railway station is a railway station serving the town of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.- History :...
on the former Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
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...
. To this effect, the 'Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway Act' received Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
on 20 August 1883. However a year later a heavily modified act was submitted to Parliament, including extensions to Ardrossan, Irvine, Ardeer Ironworks, Eglinton Ironworks and Kilbirnie. A change of name for the company was also approved, and so the 'Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Act' received Royal Assent on 28 August 1884. Robert McAlpine
Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet
Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet , known as "Concrete Bob", founded the British construction firm now known as Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd....
was chosen as contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
for the construction of the line.
The opening ceremony for the railway took place on 3 September 1888 at the Ardrossan station
Ardrossan North railway station
Ardrossan North railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway . The station was the original Ardrossan terminus for this line until the nearby pier station opened two years later...
, with a special train service running to Glasgow that day. Full passenger services began on 4 September 1888. The branch to Kilbirnie was opened on 1 November 1889 for goods traffic and opened to passengers on 2 December 1889, and the branch to Irvine was opened the following year on 2 June 1890. Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier station
Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station
Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway...
opened on 30 May 1890.
| Date | Stations opened |
|---|---|
| 3 September 1888 | Ardrossan Ardrossan North railway station Ardrossan North railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway . The station was the original Ardrossan terminus for this line until the nearby pier station opened two years later... , , Kilbirnie Junction Giffen railway station Giffen railway station was a railway station approximately one mile south-west of the village of Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :... (later Giffen), Kilwinning Kilwinning East railway station Kilwinning East railway station was a railway station serving the town of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.-History:The station opened on 3 September 1888 and was simply known as Kilwinning... , Saltcoats Saltcoats North railway station Saltcoats North railway station was a railway station serving the town of Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 3 September 1888 and was simply known as Saltcoats... , Stevenston Stevenston Moorpark railway station Stevenston Moorpark railway station was a railway station serving the town of Stevenston, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway .-History:... |
| 2 December 1889 | Glengarnock Glengarnock High railway station Glengarnock High railway station was a railway station serving the village of Glengarnock, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened 2 December 1889 and was simply known as Glengarnock... , Kilbirnie Kilbirnie South railway station Kilbirnie South railway station was a railway station serving the town of Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway .- History :The station opened 2 December 1889 and was simply known as Kilbirnie... |
| 2 June 1890 | Irvine Irvine Bank Street railway station Irvine Bank Street railway station was a railway station serving the town of Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 2 June 1890 and was simply known as Irvine... |
| 30 May 1890 | Ardrossan Pier Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway... |
1898–1923: Further extensions
Giffen railway station
Giffen railway station was a railway station approximately one mile south-west of the village of Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :...
to Newton
Newton (South Lanarkshire) railway station
Newton railway station is a railway station located between the town of Cambuslang and the village of Newton in South Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail on the Argyle and Cathcart Circle Lines.-History:...
. This meant that the Caledonian Railway would be able to avoid use of the Glasgow and Kilmarnock Joint Railway, and therefore avoid sharing revenue with the G&SWR.
After five years of construction the new branch opened on 1 May 1903 with several new stations along the route, many of which were duplicates of stations on the joint line.
| Date | Stations opened |
|---|---|
| 1 May 1903 | Lugton Lugton High railway station Lugton High railway station was a railway station serving the hamlet of Lugton, East Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 1 May 1903 and was simply known as Lugton... , , , , Uplawmoor Uplawmoor (L&A) railway station Uplawmoor railway station was a railway station serving the village of Uplawmoor, East Renfrewshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.-History:... , |
| 1 August 1904 | |
| 1 September 1906 |
1923–1970: A premature end
The duplication of lines and stations would soon become worthless when both the Caledonian and Glasgow and South Western Railways were merged as part of the larger London, Midland and Scottish RailwayLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
group in 1923. Many stations had to be renamed so as not to become confused with their former G&SW counterparts. With too many lines serving the one area and no competition, the first closures on the line occurred in the summer of 1930 when the Irvine branch was closed to passenger services, with the Kilbirnie branch closing to all traffic later that same year (although freight services to Glengarnock
Glengarnock High railway station
Glengarnock High railway station was a railway station serving the village of Glengarnock, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened 2 December 1889 and was simply known as Glengarnock...
continued until 1945). On 4 July 1932 all stations from Ardrossan North to Uplawmoor were closed to passenger services.
Ardeer Platform railway station
Ardeer Platform railway station was a railway station serving the Nobel Industries division of Imperial Chemical Industries near the town of Stevenston, North Ayrshire, Scotland.- History :...
. This link was eventually closed to all traffic in 1968, and was completely lifted in 1970. A section of track from the site of Ardrossan North station remained joined to the former Ardrossan Railway. This section of track was used by the Shell Bitumen plant at Ardrossan Harbour.
| Date | Stations closed |
|---|---|
| 28 July 1930 | Bogside Bogside Moor Halt railway station Bogside Moor Halt railway station was a railway station near the town of Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.-History:... , Irvine Irvine Bank Street railway station Irvine Bank Street railway station was a railway station serving the town of Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 2 June 1890 and was simply known as Irvine... |
| 1 December 1930 | Brackenhills Brackenhills railway station Brackenhills railway station was a railway station approximately one mile south-west of the town of Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland, part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :... , Glengarnock Glengarnock High railway station Glengarnock High railway station was a railway station serving the village of Glengarnock, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened 2 December 1889 and was simply known as Glengarnock... , Kilbirnie Kilbirnie South railway station Kilbirnie South railway station was a railway station serving the town of Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway .- History :The station opened 2 December 1889 and was simply known as Kilbirnie... |
| 4 July 1932 | Ardrossan Ardrossan North railway station Ardrossan North railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway . The station was the original Ardrossan terminus for this line until the nearby pier station opened two years later... , Auchenmade Auchenmade railway station Auchenmade railway station was a railway station approximately three miles north-east of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It served the hamlet of Auchentiber and the surrounding rural area as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :... , Giffen Giffen railway station Giffen railway station was a railway station approximately one mile south-west of the village of Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :... , Kilwinning Kilwinning East railway station Kilwinning East railway station was a railway station serving the town of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.-History:The station opened on 3 September 1888 and was simply known as Kilwinning... , Lugton Lugton High railway station Lugton High railway station was a railway station serving the hamlet of Lugton, East Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 1 May 1903 and was simply known as Lugton... , Saltcoats Saltcoats North railway station Saltcoats North railway station was a railway station serving the town of Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station opened on 3 September 1888 and was simply known as Saltcoats... , Stevenston Stevenston Moorpark railway station Stevenston Moorpark railway station was a railway station serving the town of Stevenston, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway .-History:... |
| 2 April 1962 | Uplawmoor Uplawmoor (L&A) railway station Uplawmoor railway station was a railway station serving the village of Uplawmoor, East Renfrewshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.-History:... |
| 6 May 1968 | Montgomerie Pier Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier railway station was a railway station serving the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway... |
Present day
Today the only operational section of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway is the line between Newton and Neilston, which was electrified in the early 1960s, and sees regular passenger services as part of the Cathcart Circle LinesCathcart Circle Lines
The Cathcart Circle Lines form a suburban railway route linking Glasgow to Cathcart via a circular line, with branches to Newton and Neilston. All of the routes serve Glasgow's southern suburbs, i.e. on the south bank of the River Clyde...
. Various landmarks of the railway still exist throughout the former route, for example a large viaduct remains to the north of Kilwinning, now used as part of the National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
. Two other prominent viaducts, namely the eleven arch span Gree viaduct and the seven arch span Giffenmill viaduct were both located between the former Lugton and Giffen stations and survived into the 21st century. This was short-lived as the Giffenmill viaduct was demolished in September 2006, with the Gree viaduct demolished shortly afterwards in February 2008, over five years after permission for its demolition was granted for a second time.
Lugton
Lugton is a small village or hamlet in East Ayrshire, Scotland with a population of 80 people. The A736 road runs through on its way from Glasgow, to the north, to Irvine in North Ayrshire. Uplawmoor is the first settlement on this 'Lochlibo Road' to the north and Burnhouse is to the south...
which follows the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway line to Beith until it reaches Barrmill, where it then heads south through to DM Beith along the original route of the L&AR before the 1905 extension was built. This track, mostly relaid in the 1950s, was used for freight by DM Beith, however it fell into disuse in 1996.
Company directors
At the time of the railway opening in 1888, the company directors were:- G. R. Vernon, M.P. (Chairman)
- J. C. Cuninghame
- The Earl of Eglinton and Winton
- R. W. Knox
- James Neilson
- Archibald Russell
- John Watson
- John Cunninghame
Railway map
The following map illustrates the route of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway in 1906:Connections to other lines
- Ardrossan RailwayArdrossan RailwayThe Ardrossan Railway was a railway company in Scotland built in the mid 19th century that primarily ran services between Kilwinning and Ardrossan, as well as freight services to and from collieries between Kilwinning and Perceton...
at Ardrossan Harbour and Stevenston No. 1 - Busby Railway at WilliamwoodWilliamwood railway stationWilliamwood railway station is a railway station in the Williamwood area of the town of Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, Greater Glasgow, Scotland...
- Cathcart District RailwayCathcart District RailwayThe Cathcart District Railway was authorised on 7 September 1880. The eastern section to Cathcart opened to Mount Florida station on 1 March 1886. The line was completed through to the first Cathcart station on 25 May 1886...
at the Cathcart East and West Junctions - Clydesdale Junction RailwayClydesdale Junction RailwayThe Clydesdale Junction Railway was a railway company in Scotland that was formed to run trains between Rutherglen and Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.- History :It received its Royal Assent on 31 July 1845....
at Newton West Junction - Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint RailwayGlasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint RailwayThe Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway was a railway co-owned by Caledonian Railway and Glasgow and South Western Railway and was an amalgation of two different lines: the Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway and the Glasgow and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.-Glasgow, Barrhead and...
at Barrmill and Lugton - Glasgow Central RailwayGlasgow Central RailwayThe Glasgow Central Railway was a railway that ran from Maryhill in the north west of Glasgow through the West End and City Centre to Rutherglen and Newton to the south east of the city.- Early days :...
at Kirkhill Junction and Newton railway stationNewton (South Lanarkshire) railway stationNewton railway station is a railway station located between the town of Cambuslang and the village of Newton in South Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail on the Argyle and Cathcart Circle Lines.-History:... - Paisley and Barrhead District RailwayPaisley and Barrhead District RailwayThe Paisley and Barrhead District Railway was a railway in Scotland that ran between the towns of Paisley and Barrhead. Despite stations being built on the line, the railway was only ever open to freight services. For this reason it was known locally as "the dummy railway".-History:The railway was...
at Lyoncross JunctionLyoncross railway stationLyoncross railway station was intended to be a railway station between the towns of Newton Mearns and Barrhead, Scotland as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.- History :The station was never finished or opened to passengers...
between Patterton and Neilston