Timeline 1870 - 1910
Before Railways Early Lines Trunk Lines Later constructions  The grouping National Closures more Reduced Privatisation
X
1700s 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

Later constructions 1870-1910

This was a period of great expansion. Most towns were now connected to the main lines. With the railway companies accruing vast revenues a few bold schemes were completed such as the great terminii and competing routes. Towards the end of the period the Government decision to allow "Light Railway" construction meant that some smaller communities were connected to the network. Many amalgamations lead the the formation of large powerful railway companies with interests as diverse as mining, whisky production and shipping. Many street tramways were built in the cities providing convenient passenger transport. Of this period generally only those lines in districts of high population survive today.

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1870 Duke of Sutherland's Railway Act receives Royal assent
1870 Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway Act receives Royal assent
1870 Penicuik Railway Act receives Royal assent
1870 Ayr to Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Line opened
1870, 2 June City of Glasgow Union Railway First Bridge over the Clyde in Glasgow opened
1870, 5 August Dingwall and Skye Railway Opened to goods traffic only
1870, 8 August  Solway Junction Railway Solway Junction Railway open throughout 
1870, 19 August Dingwall and Skye Railway Railway opened (Stations at Strathpeffer, Garve, Achanalt, Achnasheen, Strathcarron, Strome Ferry) (Loops at Garve, Achnasheen, Strathcarron and Strome Ferry)
1870, 9 November Dingwall and Skye Railway S.S. Oscar lost at Applecross
1871  Inverness and Perth Junction Railway Boat of Insh renamed Kincraig
1871 Dingwall and Skye Railway Hotel at Achnasheen, designed by Alexander Ross, opened
1871 North British, Arbroath and Montrose Railway Act receives Royal assent
1871 Sutherland and Caithness Railway Act receives Royal assent
1871 North Monkland Railway Act receives Royal assent
1871 Ayr and Maybole Railway 
Glasgow and South Western Railway 		 Ayr and Maybole Railway absorbed by Glasgow and South Western Railway
1871 Esk Valley Railway 
North British Railway		 Esk Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1871, 26 October Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) 
Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway		 Whifflet to College passenger service starts 
1872 Dingwall and Skye Railway Glencarron Platform opened
1872 Leslie Railway
North British Railway		 Leslie Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1872 Northumberland Central Railway
North British Railway		 Northumberland Central Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1872 Greenock and Ayrshire Railway 
Glasgow and South Western Railway		 Greenock and Ayrshire Railway absorbed by Glasgow and South Western Railway
1872 Wigtownshire Railway Wigtownshire Railway authorised
1872, 26 April Dingwall and Skye Railway Lochluichart private platform becomes public and is re-built
1872, 11 June Ayr to Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Annbank to Cronberry opened for goods 
1872, 1 July Ayr to Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Annbank to Cronberry opened for passengers 
1872, 31 July Dingwall and Skye Railway Strome Ferry Engine Shed burns down
1872, 10 October   Caledonian Railway Strawfrank curve opened
1872 (Late) Ayr to Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Holehouse Junction to Belston Junction opened
1873 Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway
North British Railway		 Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1873 Broxburn Railway
North British Railway		 Broxburn Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1873 Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway Dunfermline and Queensferry Railway authorised
1873 Forth Bridge Railway authorised
1873 Kelvin Valley Railway authorised
1873 Dingwall and Skye Railway Attadale Platform opened
1874  Great North of Scotland Railway Share dividends paid again 
1874  Great North of Scotland Railway Pitmeddan opened
1874 Alyth Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1874 Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton & Coatbridge Railway authorised
1875 Deeside Extension Railway absorbed by Great North of Scotland Railway
1875 Devon Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1875, 1 August Deeside Railway 
Great North of Scotland Railway		 Deeside Railway absorbed by Great North of Scotland Railway
1876 Telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell
1876 Peebles Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1876 Berwickshire Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1876, 31 January Aboyne and Braemar Railway 
Great North of Scotland Railway		 Aboyne & Braemar Railway absorbed by the Great North of Scotland Railway
1876 Penicuik Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1876 Kilsyth Railway authorised
1877 St Andrews Railway absorbed by North British 
1877 Leven & East of Fife Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1877 Edinburgh, Loanhead & Roslin Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1877  Dunfermline & Queensferry Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1877 Kilsyth Railway absorbed by Kelvin Valley Railway
1877, 24 April Dingwall and Skye Railway Highland Railway takes over steamer operations
1877, 1 November  Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway Shettleston to Bothwell opened for goods
1878 Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton & Coatbridge Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1878 Glasgow, Yoker & Clydebank Railway authorised
1878, 1 March  Dingwall and Skye Railway Siding opened at Attadale 
1878, 1 April  Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway Shettleton to Hamilton opened for goods
1878, 1 October Action Uddingston to Fullwood opened for goods
1878, 1 November Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway Whifflet to Bothwell Castle opened for goods
1878, 30 December Action Mossend branch opened for goods
1879, 28 December Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway) Tay Bridge Disaster
1879 Alloa Railway authorised
1879 Wemyss & Buckhaven Railway authorised
1879, 1 May Action Mossend branch opened for passengers
1879, 1 May  Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway Whifflet to Bothwell Castle opened for passengers
1879, 1 June  Action Uddingston junction to Fullwood junction opened for passengers 
1880 Morayshire Railway 
Great North of Scotland Railway		 Morayshire Railway absorbed by Great North of Scotland Railway
1880 Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway & Dock Co absorbed by North British Railway
1880  Carmyllie Railway absorbed by Scottish North Eastern Railway
1880 North British, Arbroath & Montrose Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1880  Anstruther & St. Andrews Railway authorised 
1880 Dundee & Arbroath Railway authorised (Caledonian Railway & North British Railway)
1880 Edinburgh Suburban & Southside Junction Railway authorised
1880 Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway authorised 
1880, 30 March Dingwall and Skye Railway P.S. Carham grounds at Raasay
1880, 17 April Dingwall and Skye Railway Highland Railway abandons steamer operations in favour of David MacBrayne
1880, 1 June   Action Law junction to Holytown opened
1880, 1 July Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Dyce to Kintore opened
1880, 1 September Dingwall and Skye Railway Amalgamation with Highland Railway
1880, 7 September Cathcart District Railway Act receives Royal assent
1880, 16 December Cathcart District Railway First Directors Meeting
1881 Montrose & Bervie Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1881 Blane Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1881 Moffat Railway authorised
1882 Glasgow City & District Railway authorised
1882 Kilsyth & Bonnybridge Railway
1882 Busby Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1882 Great North of Scotland Railway Don Street, Bankhead and Stoneywood opened 
1882, 4 January Dingwall and Skye Railway First Skye Bogie locomotive introduced 
1882, 1 May Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Kintore to Inveramsay opened
1883 Killin Railway authorised
1883 Glasgow and North Western Railway (Action) Glasgow and North Western Railway proposed (Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William) (not built)
1883, 20 January Cathcart District Railway First sod cut
1883, 20 August Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway Act receives Royal assent
1884 Sutherland & Caithness Railway absorbed by Highland Railway
1884 Alloa Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1884 Eyemouth Railway authorised
1884 Duke of Sutherland's Railway absorbed by Highland Railway
1884 Sutherland Railway absorbed by Highland Railway

 

1884 Deeside Railway Doubled Ferryhill to Cults opened
1884, 1 April Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway) Portsoy to Tochieneal opened
1885 Portpatrick Railway absorbed by Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Committee
1885 Wigtownshire Railway absorbed by Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Committee
1885 Kelvin Valley Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1885 Edinburgh Suburban & Southside Junction Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1885, 1 June Dingwall and Skye Railway Strathpeffer renamed Auchterneed
1885, 3 June Highland Railway Strathpeffer branch opens
1885, 12 August  Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway) Lossie Junction to Garmouth opened
1886, 1 March Cathcart District Railway Cathcart Junction to Mount Florida opened for passengers
1886, 19 April Action Airdrie branch (Caledonian Railway) opened for goods
1886, 1 May  Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway) Tochieneal to Garmouth opened
1886, 1 May  Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway) Grange curve opened
1886, 25 May Cathcart District Railway Mount Florida to Cathcart opened to passengers
1886, 1 June Action Airdrie branch (Caledonian Railway) opened for passengers
1886, 2 August Cathcart District Railway Cathcart Junction to Cathcart opened for Goods
1887  Girvan & Portpatrick Railway absorbed by Ayr & Wigtownshire Railway 
1887 Glasgow City and District Railway 
North British Railway		 Glasgow City and District Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1887, July Great North of Scotland Railway Aberdeen Suburban service begins; Bankend and Stoneywood opened
1887, 19 July Cathcart District Railway Extension of line Act receives Royal assent
1887, 1 September  Action Cairnhill Junction to Chapehall opened
1888 North Monkland Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1888 Glasgow Central Railway Act receives Royal assent
1888, 1 January Great North of Scotland Railway Hutcheon Street and Don Street opened
1888, 2 July  Action Newhouse to Chapelhall opened
1888, 3 September Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway Opened from Barrmill to Ardrossan
1888, 3 September Barrmill and Kilwinning Railway Line renamed Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway
1888, 27 October Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Inveramsay to Insch opened
1889 Wemyss & Buckhaven Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1889  Glasgow Central Railway 
Caledonian Railway		 Glasgow Central Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1889 West Highland Railway authorised
1890 Brechin & Edzell District Railway authorised
1890 Crieff & Comrie Railway authorised
1890 Forfar & Brechin Railway authorised
1891 Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1891 Gifford & Garvald Railway authorised
1891 Lanarkshire & Dunbartonshire Railway authorised
1891, 22 August   Great North of Scotland Railway Palace Hotel, Aberdeen, opened opened 
1891, 16 October Dingwall and Skye Railway Strome Ferry station train shed burns down
1892 Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Railway absorbed by Glasgow and South Western Railway
1892 Dumbarton & Balloch Joint Line authorised (Caledonian Railway & North British Railway) 
1893 Aberlady, Gullane & North Berwick Railway authorised 
1893 East of Fife Central Railway authorised 
1893 Greenock & Wemyss Bay Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway 
1893  Great North of Scotland Railway Schoolhill opened
1893, 26 December Mao Tse-Tung born
1894 Birth of Edward VIII
1894 Forfar & Brechin Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway 
1894 Great North of Scotland Railway  
Deeside Railway		 Suburban service extended to Culter on the Deeside Railway
1894, 19 March Cathcart District Railway Cathcart (New) opened on Extension Line
1894, 2 April Cathcart District Railway Extension line opened from Cathcart (New) to Muirhouse Junction for passengers and goods
1895 Birth of George VI
1895  East of Fife Central Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1896 Glasgow District Subway Line opened
1896 City of Glasgow Union Railway absorbed and divided between Glasgow & South Western Railway & North British Railway 
1896 Solway Junction Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1896 Invergarry & Fort Augustus Railway authorised
1896, 1 June Darvel Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Newmilns to Darvel opened 
1896, 1 August  Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Insch to Kennethmont opened
1896, 20 September  Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Kennethmont to Gartly opened
1896, 30 November  Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Gartly to Huntly opened
1897 Great North of Scotland Railway Buxsburn renamed Bucksburn
1897 Glasgow, Yoker & Clydebank Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1897 Anstruther & St. Andrews Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1897 Glasgow and Renfrew District Railway authorised 
1897 Lochearnhead, St Fillans & Comrie Railway authorised 
1897 Newburgh & North Fife Railway authorised 
1897 Paisley & Barrhead District Railway authorised 
1897, 2 August  Great North of Scotland Railway  Boddam branch opened
1897, 2 November Kyle of Lochalsh Extension (Highland Railway) 
Highland Railway		 Line opened
1898 Crieff & Comrie Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1898 Bankfoot Light Railway authorised
1898 Dornoch Light Railway authorised 
1898 Great North of Scotland Railway Cairnie Junction opened to save dividing trains at Huntly
1898, 17 January Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Rothiemay to Keith opened
1898, 17 January Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled North Grange to South Grange opened
1898, 19 January Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Huntly to Avochie signal box (near Rothiemay) opened
1899 Start of Second Boer War Lauder Light Railway authorised 
1899 Wick & Lybster Light Railway authorised 
1899, 16 July Kilmarnock and Troon Railway Line bought by Glasgow and South Western Railway
1883, 2 April Moffat Railway Moffat branch opened
1900, 30 July Mines Act Young Children prohibited from working underground
1900 Great North of Scotland Railway Doubled Rothiemay to Avochie opened
1900 Newport Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1900 Eyemouth Railway absorbed by North British Railway
1900 Aberlady, Gullane & North Berwick Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1900, 1 June  Dingwall and Skye Railway Achnashellach box and loop opened 
1901 Great North of Scotland Railway Inverurie works - Carriages - opened
1901 Glasgow and Renfrew District Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway & Glasgow and South Western Railway 
1901, 22 January Queen Victoria Dies
1901 Coronation of Edward VII
1901, 1 April Mallaig Extension Railway  Line opened extending the West Highland Railway
1901, 1 October Leadhills and Wanlockhead Branch (Caledonian Railway) Elvanfoot to Leadhills opened
1901, 1 August Cathcart District Railway Langside station renamed Langside and Newlands
1902 Morayshire Railway Elgin station rebuilt
1902 Great North of Scotland Railway  Inverurie works - Locomotives - opened
1902 End of Second Boer War
1902 Moffat Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1902 Lochearnhead, St Fillans & Comrie Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway

 

1902 Paisley & Barrhead District Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway
1902, 10 February Great North of Scotland Railway Inverurie (New) opened
1902, 19 September Leadhills and Wanlockhead Branch (Caledonian Railway) Leadhills to Wanlockhead opened to goods
1902, 12 October Leadhills and Wanlockhead Branch (Caledonian Railway) Leadhills to Wanlockhead opened for passengers
1903 Great North of Scotland Railway Persley opened
1903 Great North of Scotland Railway Railcars used on the Alford, Lossiemouth, Old Meldrum and St Combs lines
1903, 1 March Catrine Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Line opened.
1903, 1 April Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Giffen Junction to Clarkston East Junction opened for goods
1903, 1 May Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Giffen Junction to Cathcart opened for passengers
1903, 1 May Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Barrmill Junction to Giffen Junction closed
1903, 1 July Cathcart District Railway Cathcart Junction renamed Pollokshields East Junction
1903, 1 July Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Muirend station opened
1903, 1 July St. Combs Light Railway  Line opened
1903, 20 September Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Lugton East Junction to Lugton Junction opened
1904 Great North of Scotland Railway Railcars scrapped
1904, 6 January Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Newton to Cathcart and Clarkston West Junction opened for goods
1904, 20 June Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Westburn Junction to Kirkhill Junction opened to goods
1904, 1 August Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Newton to Cathcart and Westburn Junction to Kirkhill Junction opened for passengers
1905 Great North of Scotland Railway Inverurie works - Permanent Way - opened
1905, 1 March Cairns Valley Railway (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Line opened
1905 Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway authorised 
1906 Great North of Scotland Railway 
Highland Railway		 Amalgamation of the Great North of Scotland Railway with the Highland Railway falls through
1906, 17 May Maidens and Dunure Railway (Glasgow and South Western Railway) Line opened
1907 Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Clarkston East Junction to Clarkston West Junction abandoned
1908 West Highland Railway 
North British Railway 		 West Highland Railway absorbed by North British Railway 
1908 Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal Company) By-pass line from Swing Bridge Junction to Fouldubs Junction opened
1908, 27 September First production Model T Ford built
1909 Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway 
Caledonian Railway 		 Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway


 

Before Railways Early Lines Trunk Lines Later constructions  The grouping National Closures more Reduced Privatisation

 

1700s 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

 

1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

 


Page last edited on 18/03/98
Page editor : Ewan Crawford