Maybole and Girvan Railway
Encyclopedia
Maybole and Girvan Junction Railway is an historic railway in Scotland
.
through farmed countryside to Girvan
, a fishing port on the Irish Sea
. It passes a former coal mine at Bargany. The line consists of a single track with a passing siding at Kilkerran. Part of the line was once double track.
. Girvan station closed in 1892 and became a goods depot. DMUs started operating over the line between Glasgow and Stranraer in 1959.
to Girvan along with other services from Glasgow
to Stranraer
and Newcastle
to Stranraer operated by ScotRail
. There is no regular freight service.
In the current timetable (May 2008), there is a (roughly) two-hourly service each way on weekdays, with a limited service (three northbound and two southbound) on Sundays.
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...
.
Route description
The line runs in a general southwesterly direction from MayboleMaybole
Maybole is a burgh of barony and police burgh of South Ayrshire, Scotland. Pop. 4,552. It is situated south of Ayr and southwest of Glasgow by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. ...
through farmed countryside to 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...
, a fishing port on the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
. It passes a former coal mine at Bargany. The line consists of a single track with a passing siding at Kilkerran. Part of the line was once double track.
History
The line was founded in 1856 by an act of Royal assent. On 24 May 1860 the line opened between Maybole Junction and Girvan. In 1865, the entire railway was absorbed into the Glasgow and South Western RailwayGlasgow 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...
. Girvan station closed in 1892 and became a goods depot. DMUs started operating over the line between Glasgow and Stranraer in 1959.
Connections to other lines
- Ayr and Maybole Junction RailwayAyr and Maybole Junction RailwayThe Ayr and Maybole Junction Railway was a railway in Ayrshire, Scotland that provided services between Ayr and Maybole. The line is still in use today as part of the Glasgow South Western Line.- History :...
at MayboleMaybole railway stationMaybole railway station is a railway station serving the town of Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Glasgow South Western Line.- History :...
(the line diverged from the Ayr route a short distance from the original terminus at Maybole OldMaybole (old) railway stationMaybole railway station was a railway station serving the village of Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station was originally part of the Ayr and Maybole Junction Railway .- History :...
). - Girvan and Portpatrick Junction RailwayGirvan and Portpatrick Junction RailwayGirvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway is an historic railway in Scotland.-Connections to other lines:...
at Girvan Junction - Maidens and Dunure Light RailwayMaidens and Dunure Light RailwayThe 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.- History :...
at Girvan Junction
Current operations
As of 2002, passenger trains operate over the line from AyrAyr
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...
to Girvan along with other services from 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...
to Stranraer
Stranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
and Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
to Stranraer operated by ScotRail
ScotRail
ScotRail was a brand name used for all Scottish regional and commuter rail services, including some cross-border services, from 1997 to 2004....
. There is no regular freight service.
In the current timetable (May 2008), there is a (roughly) two-hourly service each way on weekdays, with a limited service (three northbound and two southbound) on Sundays.