Largs Branch
Encyclopedia
The Largs Branch was an extension of the former Ardrossan Railway
in Scotland
built by the Glasgow and South Western Railway
to allow trains to travel between Largs
and Glasgow
via Ardrossan
and Kilwinning
.
beginning on 1 May 1878. Services to Fairlie
began on 1 June 1880, Fairlie Pier
on 1 July 1882, and finally to Largs
on 1 June 1885. Additionally, a new station
was opened on the line at Ardrossan to allow the town to benefit from the trains running between Kilwinning and Largs.
On 30 September 1969 the short line between Castlehill and Parkhouse Junctions in Ardrossan was closed to regular services, and was completely removed by 1977.
The line to Fairlie Pier was closed to passengers on 1 October 1971, however the line is still in place to allow access to an MOD
facility in the area.
The Largs Branch is still active today as part of the Ayrshire Coast Line
.
. The southbound line from Hunterston to Ardrossan was left intact for freight use.
Ardrossan Railway
The 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...
in 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...
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 Largs
Largs
Largs is a town on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland, about from Glasgow. The original name means "the slopes" in Scottish Gaelic....
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...
via 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 Kilwinning
Kilwinning
Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:...
.
History
The line between Ardrossan and Largs was opened in stages, with services running as far as West KilbrideWest Kilbride railway station
West Kilbride railway station is a railway station in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.- History :...
beginning on 1 May 1878. Services to Fairlie
Fairlie railway station
Fairlie railway station is a railway station in the village of Fairlie, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.- History :...
began on 1 June 1880, Fairlie Pier
Fairlie Pier railway station
Fairlie Pier railway station was a railway station serving the village of Fairlie, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station allowed train passengers to link with ferry sailings to Great Cumbrae and the Isle of Bute.- History :...
on 1 July 1882, and finally to Largs
Largs railway station
Largs railway station is a railway station in the town of Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south west of .- History :...
on 1 June 1885. Additionally, a new station
Ardrossan South Beach railway station
Ardrossan South Beach railway station is one of three railway stations in the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.- History :...
was opened on the line at Ardrossan to allow the town to benefit from the trains running between Kilwinning and Largs.
On 30 September 1969 the short line between Castlehill and Parkhouse Junctions in Ardrossan was closed to regular services, and was completely removed by 1977.
The line to Fairlie Pier was closed to passengers on 1 October 1971, however the line is still in place to allow access to an MOD
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
facility in the area.
The Largs Branch is still active today as part of the Ayrshire Coast Line
Ayrshire Coast Line
The Ayrshire Coast Line is one of the lines within the Strathclyde suburban rail network in Scotland. It has 26 stations and connects the Ayrshire coast to Glasgow...
.
Electrification
The line was electrified in 1986 as part the AyrLine electrification programme, however only the northbound line was electrified, resulting in the removal of the southbound platforms at all the intermediate stations, closure of two of the four platforms at Largs, and the removal of the southbound line from Largs to Hunterston TerminalHunterston Terminal
Hunterston Terminal, in North Ayrshire, Scotland, is a coal-handling port located at Fairlie on the Firth of Clyde, and operated by Clydeport. It lies adjacent to Hunterston estate, site of Hunterston Castle....
. The southbound line from Hunterston to Ardrossan was left intact for freight use.
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 via Parkhouse and (formerly) Holm Junctions