Gatehead railway station

Former railway station in Scotland

55°35′39″N 4°33′17″W / 55.5943°N 4.5547°W / 55.5943; -4.5547Grid referenceNS390363Platforms2Other informationStatusDisusedHistoryOriginal companyKilmarnock and Troon RailwayPre-groupingGlasgow and South Western RailwayPost-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish RailwayKey dates6 July 1812Opened[1]3 March 1969Closed[1]

Gatehead railway station was a railway station serving the village of Gatehead, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

History

The station was opened on 6 July 1812 by the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway.[1] The Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway took over management of the station (and its line) on 16 July 1846,[2] while its successor, the Glasgow and South Western Railway, took over full ownership in 1899.[3] The station closed on 3 March 1969.[1]

A coal train from the 'Troon' end of the line

Today Gatehead station has a single platform intact (although overgrown). The line is still open as part of the Glasgow South Western Line and the station's level crossing is still in use, allowing road traffic on the A759 to cross the line.

Laigh Milton Viaduct, Scotland's oldest railway viaduct, is nearby, but not in use as the railway was realigned in 1846.

Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Drybridge
Line open; station closed 		  Glasgow and South Western Railway
Kilmarnock and Troon Railway
   Kilmarnock (1)
1812 - 1843
  Glasgow and South Western Railway
Kilmarnock and Troon Railway
   Kilmarnock (2)
1843 - 1846
  Glasgow and South Western Railway
Kilmarnock and Troon Railway
   Kilmarnock (3)
1846 - 1969
Connection with K&TR   Glasgow and South Western Railway
Gatehead and Hurlford Branch
   Riccarton
Line and station closed

Views of the railway at Gatehead

  • A coal train heading up to Kilmarnock
    A coal train heading up to Kilmarnock
  • Looking towards the River Irvine and Old Rome
    Looking towards the River Irvine and Old Rome
  • Looking towards the Cochrane Inn and Crosshouse
    Looking towards the Cochrane Inn and Crosshouse

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Butt (1995), page 101
  2. ^ Awdry, p. 84
  3. ^ Stansfield, p. 8 8

Sources

  • Awdry, Christopher (1990). Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0049-7. OCLC 19514063. CN 8983.
  • Butt, R. V. J. (October 1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: details every public and private passenger station, halt, platform and stopping place, past and present (1st ed.). Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85260-508-7. OCLC 60251199. OL 11956311M.
  • Stansfield, G. (1999). Ayrshire & Renfrewshire's Lost Railways. Ochiltree: Stenlake Publishing. ISBN 1-8403-3077-5.