Maidens and Dunure Light Railway
Encyclopedia
The Maidens and Dunure Light Railway was a light railway
worked by the Glasgow and South Western Railway
in Ayrshire
, Scotland
connecting the stations in Ayr
and Girvan
following a coastal route via Turnberry
.
on 30 September 1899, and opened to traffic on 17 May 1906. The line was twenty miles in length from Alloway Junction, south of Ayr station
, to Girvan Junction, north of Girvan station
. It had a short life with the passenger service between Turnberry and Ayr withdrawn on 1 December 1930, however the line was reopened briefly as far as Heads of Ayr between 4 July 1932 and 31 May 1933. The remaining line south of Turnberry closed to passengers on 2 March 1942.
On 17 May 1947 the line was reopened again to a new Heads of Ayr station
serving the then new Butlins holiday camp.
In 1955 the freight service south of Heads of Ayr was withdrawn, with the remaining freight working ceasing in 1959. The remaining passenger service to Heads of Ayr ceased on 14 September 1968.
Light railway
Light railway refers to a railway built at lower costs and to lower standards than typical "heavy rail". This usually means the railway uses lighter weight track, and is more steeply graded and tightly curved to avoid civil engineering costs...
worked 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...
in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Scotland
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...
connecting the stations in Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
and Girvan
Girvan
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Girvan dates back to 1668 when is became a municipal burgh incorporated by by charter...
following a coastal route via Turnberry
Turnberry
Turnberry is a golf resort on the coast of the outer Firth of Clyde in southwestern Scotland. Located in South Ayrshire on the rugged coast, it comprises three links golf courses, a golf academy, a five-star hotel, designed by James Miller and completed in 1906, as well as lodge and cottage...
.
History
The line was incorporated under a Light Railway Order by Act of ParliamentAct of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
on 30 September 1899, and opened to traffic on 17 May 1906. The line was twenty miles in length from Alloway Junction, south of Ayr station
Ayr railway station
Ayr railway station serves the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated in Smith Street, off Burns Statue Square. The station, which is managed by First ScotRail, is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south-west of Glasgow Central railway station....
, to Girvan Junction, north of Girvan station
Girvan railway station
Girvan railway station is a railway station serving the town of Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail, who operate all passenger services from there. It is on the Ayr to Stranraer section of the Glasgow South Western Line and is situated 62 miles south of...
. It had a short life with the passenger service between Turnberry and Ayr withdrawn on 1 December 1930, however the line was reopened briefly as far as Heads of Ayr between 4 July 1932 and 31 May 1933. The remaining line south of Turnberry closed to passengers on 2 March 1942.
On 17 May 1947 the line was reopened again to a new Heads of Ayr station
Heads of Ayr Holiday Camp railway station
Heads of Ayr Holiday Camp railway station was a railway station serving the holiday camp and hotel at Heads of Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was opened by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway on the former Maidens and Dunure Light Railway....
serving the then new Butlins holiday camp.
In 1955 the freight service south of Heads of Ayr was withdrawn, with the remaining freight working ceasing in 1959. The remaining passenger service to Heads of Ayr ceased on 14 September 1968.
Sources
- RAILSCOT on Maidens and Dunure Railway
- Article in British Railway Journal No 8 Summer 1985 Wild Swan Publications