Timeline 1950-1960
| 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 |
| 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
Withdrawl of services 1950-1960
The effects of improved road transport were being felt and many country districts were now better served by the new bus companies. As a result many countryside lines were closed to passengers but struggled on for another decade carrying occasional freight trains. Diesel locomotives and Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) were introduced to cut costs. The DMU's inception allowed the closure of many turntables and locomotive sheds with consequent staff and cost reductions.
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| 1950, 2 January | Alford Valley Railway | Alford to Kintore closed to passengers |
| 1950, 6 February | Portpatrick Railway | Portpatrick to Stranraer Town closed to passengers |
| 1950, 6 February | Portpatrick Railway | Portpatrick to Colfin closed to all traffic |
| 1950, 3 April | Ayr and Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) | Holehouse Junction to Rankinston to Belston Junction closed to passengers |
| 1950, 5 June | Bothwell Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Bothwell to Fallside (Bothwell Junction) closed to all traffic |
| 1950, 6 June | Symmington, Biggar and Broughton Railway | Peebles to Symington closed to passengers |
| 1950, 6 June | Fife and Kinross Railway | Ladybank to Mawcarse Junction closed to passengers |
| 1950, 3 July | Muirkirk Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) | Cronberry to Auchinleck closed to passengers |
| 1950, 15 September | General MacArthur arrives in Korea with American Troops | |
| 1950, 25 September | Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway | Balquhidder to Comrie closed to freight |
| 1950, 25 September | Wigtownshire Railway | Whithorn to Newton Stewart closed to passengers |
| 1950, 1 November | Forth and Clyde Junction Railway | Drymen to Gartness Junction closed to freight |
| 1950, 1 November | Dolphinton Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Dolphinton to Carstairs (Dolphinton Junction) closed to freight |
| 1950, 17 December | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway | Barrmill Junction to Giffen Junction re-opened |
| 1950, 17 December | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway | Lugton East Junction to Giffen Junction closed |
| 1951, 1 February | Wick and Lybster Light Railway | Lybster to Wick; official closure date (already closed by April 1944) |
| 1951, 5 February | Airdrie, Cleland and Morningside Line (Caledonian Railway) | Morningside to Newmains closed to freight |
| 1951, 12 February | Newburgh and North Fife Railway | Newburgh (Glenburnie Junction) to St Fort closed to passengers |
| 1951, 26 March | Strathpeffer Branch (Highland Railway) | Strathpeffer to Dingwall (Fodderty Junction) closed to freight (complete closure) |
| 1951, 2 April | Kelvin Valley Railway | Kilsyth (Kelvin Valley East Junction) to Maryhill closed to passengers |
| 1951, 2 April | Whiteinch Railway | Whiteinch Victoria Park to Jordanhill closed to passengers |
| 1951, 7 May | Barnton Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Barnton to Craigleith closed to passengers |
| 1951, 7 May | Barnton Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Barnton to Davidson's mains closed to freight |
| 1951, 2 July | Alyth Railway | Alyth Town to Alyth Junction closed to passengers |
| 1951, 6 August | West Highland Railway | Banavie Pier to Fort William (Banavie Junction (New)) closed to freight |
| 1951, 10 September | Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway | Bothwell to Blairhill via Coatbridge (Sunnyside Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 10 September | Berwickshire Railway | Duns to Reston closed to passengers |
| 1951, 10 September | Ayr and Mauchline Branch (Glasgow and South Western
Railway) Muirkirk Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway) |
Muirkirk to Ayr (Hawkhill Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 10 September | Penicuik Railway | Penicuik to Rosewell and Hawthornden (Hawthornden Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 10 September | Selkirk and Galashiels Railway | Selkirk to Galashiels (Selkirk Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 10 September | Wilsontown Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Wilsontown to Auchengray (Wilsontown Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 19 September | Esk Valley Railway | Polton to Eskbank (Esk Valley Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Railway Blane Valley Railway Campsie Branch (Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway) |
Aberfoyle to Kirkintilloch closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway | Balquhidder to Comrie closed to passengers (and completely) |
| 1951, 1 October | Coalburn Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Blackwood Junction to Tillietudlem (Southfield Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Coalburn Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Brocketsbrae to Hamilton (Ferniegair Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Crieff and Methven Junction Railway Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Railway |
Crieff to Perth (Almond Valley Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Fortrose Branch (Highland Railway) | Fortrose to Muir of Ord closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Montrose and Bervie Railway | Inverbervie to Montrose(Broomfield Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1951, 1 October | Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Railway Banff, Macduff and Turriff Extension Railway |
Macduff to Inveramsay closed to passengers |
| 1952 | Death of George VI | |
| 1952 | Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II | |
| 1952 | Dingwall and Skye Railway | Raven's Rock Siding removed |
| 1952, 7 April | Leith Central Branch (North British Railway) | Leith Central to Abbeyhill and Piershill closed to passengers |
| 1952, 19 May | Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway | Dumfries to Lockerbie closed to passengers |
| 1952, July | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway | Lugton East Junction to Giffen Junction lifted completely |
| 1952, 4 August | Aberdeen Railway | Brechin to Bridge of Dun closed to passengers |
| 1952, 4 August | Forfar and Brechin Railway | Brechin to Forfar (South Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1952, 4 August | Aberdeen Railway | Montrose to Broomfield Junction to Dubton Junction closed to passengers |
| 1952, 4 August | Kirriemuir Branch | Kirriemuir to Forfar (Kirriemuir Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1952, 15 September | Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway | Hamilton to Bothwell closed to passengers (due to poor condition of a bridge) |
| 1952, 15 September | Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway | Hamilton to Peacock Cross (Allanshaw Foundry) closed to all traffic |
| 1952, 15 September | Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway | Blantyre Junction to Bothwell closed to all traffic |
| 1952, 1 December | Forth and Clyde Junction Railway | Mye Siding to Port of Monteith closed to freight |
| 1953, 30 March | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway | Kilwinning East to Giffen (excluded) closed to freight |
| 1953, 27 July | Cease-fire in Korean war | |
| 1953, 21 September | Coalburn Branch (Caledonian Railway) | Alton Heights (excluded) to Brocketsbrae to Tillietudlem (Southfield Juntion) closed to freight |
| 1953, 21 September | Hamilton and Strathaven Railway | Strathaven Central to High Blantyre closed to freight |
| 1954, 1 May | Dingwall and Skye Railway | Lochluichart (Old) and two miles of track close (Alternative date : 3 May 1954) |
| 1954, 3 May | Dingwall and Skye Railway | Lochluichart (New) and diversion open |
| 1954, 7 June | Symmington, Biggar and Broughton Railway | Peebles West to Broughton closed to freight |
| 1954, 13 September | Muirkirk and Lesmahagow Junction Railway | Poneil Junction to Alton Heights (excluded) closed to freight |
| 1954, 1 November | Alva Railway | Alva to Cambus closed to passengers |
| 1954, 6 December | Moffat Railway | Moffat to Beatock closed to passengers |
| 1955, 10 January | Dundee and Newtyle Railway | Alyth Junction to Dundee West closed to passengers |
| 1955, 10 January | Blairgowrie Branch | Blairgowrie to Coupar Angus closed to passengers |
| 1955, 10 January | Broughty Ferry to Forfar Branch | Forfar (Forfar North Junction) to Dundee East (Broughty Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1955, 10 January | Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway | Methil to Thornton Junction closed to passengers |
| 1955, 28 February | Maidens and Dunure Railway | Girvan to Turnberry to Heads of Ayr (New) (Butlin's Camp) closed to freight |
| 1955, April | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway | Kilwinning East to Giffen lifted completely |
| 1955, 4 July | Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway | Bothwell to Shettleston closed to passengers |
| 1955, 19 September | Edinburgh and Northern Railway | Bridge of Earn to Ladybank closed to passengers |
| 1955, 5 December | Arbroath and Forfar Railway | Arbroath (St Vigeans Junction) to Forfar (Guthrie Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1955, 5 December | Arbroath and Forfar Railway | St Vigeans Junction to Letham Mill Level Crossing closed to freight |
| 1956, 9 January | Bathgate and Coatbridge Railway Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway |
Airdrie to Bathgate Upper to Edinburgh closed to passengers |
| 1956, 9 January | Edinburgh and Northern Railway | Tayport to Leuchars Junction closed to passengers |
| 1956, 9 January | Edinburgh and Northern Railway | Leuchars Old to Spining Mill Siding closed to all traffic |
| 1956, 1 March | Kelvin Valley Railway | Dennyloanhead to Banknock closed to freight |
| 1956, 27 April | Cathcart District Railway | Electrification authorised |
| 1956, 1 May | Ballochney Railway | Rawyards to Commonhead closed to freight |
| 1956, 7 May | Slamannan Railway | Bo'ness to Polmont (Bo'ness Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1956, June | Kelvin Valley Railway | Kelvin Valley East Junction to Torrance closed to freight |
| 1956, 15 October | Border Counties Railway | Riccarton Junction to Hexham (Border Counties Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1957, 29 January | Fife and Kinross Railway | Ladybank to Auchtermuchty closed to freight |
| 1957, 17 June | Glasgow Central Railway | Kirkhill (Kirkhill Junction) to Carmyle (Westburn Junction) closed to passengers |
| 1957, 4 October | Russia launches the first satellite, Sputnik 01 | |
| 1957, 30 December | Hopeman Branch (Highland Railway) | Hopeman to Burghead closed to freight |
| 1958 | Hamilton and Strathaven Railway | High Blantyre (Auchenraith Junction) to Blantyre Junction closed to freight |
| 1958, 25 January | Cathcart District Railway | Cathcart station fire |
| 1958, 1 February | USA launches its first satellite, Explorer 1 | |
| 1958, 17 March | Forfar and Brechin Railway | Brechin to Careston closed to freight |
| 1958, 5 May | Dundee and Newtyle Railway | Newtyle Junction to Auchterhouse closed to freight |
| 1958, 5 May | Glasgow City and District Railway | Hyndland to Partick Junction closed to freight |
| 1958, 7 July | Cathcart District Railway | Diesel Multiple units appear on line |
| 1958, 11 August | Fort George Branch (Highland Railway) | Fort George to Gollanfield Junction closed to freight |
| 1958, 1 September | Border Counties Railway | Riccarton Junction to Bellingham (excluded) closed to freight |
| 1958, 1 September | Border Counties Railway | Reedsmouth (excluded) to Border Counties Junction closed to freight |
| 1958, 1 October | Lauder Light Railway | Lauder to Fountainhall Junction closed to freight |
| 1958, 8 December | Broughty Ferry to Forfar Branch | Forfar North Junction to Kingsmuir closed to freight |
| 1959, 5 January | Dundee and Arbroath Railway | Dundee East to Camperdown Junction closed to passengers |
| 1959, 2 February | Greenock and Ayrshire Railway | Greenock Princes Pier to Kilmacolm closed to passengers |
| 1959, 1 April | Portpatrick Railway | Colfin to Stranraer Town closed to freight |
| 1959, 1 July | Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway | Glencorse (Penicuik Gas works) to Roslin closed to freight |
| 1959, 8 July | First American Combat Fatality in Vietnam War | |
| 1959, 14 September | Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway | Clydebank East to Yoker (Clydebank East Junction) closed to all traffic |
| 1959, 5 October | Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway Forth and Clyde Junction Railway Blane Valley Railway |
Aberfoyle to Campsie Glen (Lennox Castle Siding) closed to frieght |
| 1959, 5 October | Forth and Clyde Junction Railway | Jamestown to Drymen closed to freight |
| 1959, 5 October | Forth and Clyde Junction Railway | Port of Monteith to Stirling closed to freight |
| 1959, 5 October | Kelvin Valley Railway | Torrance to Balmore closed to freight |
| 1959, 2 November | Glasgow Central Railway | Maryhill Cental to Stobcross (Via Kelvinbridge) closed to passengers |
| 1959, 7 December | Maidens and Dunure Railway | Heads of Ayr (Butlin's Camp) to Ayr(Alloway Junction) closed to freight |
| 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 |
| 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
Page created on 18/03/98
Page last edited on 19/05/99
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