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Castle Douglas And Dumfries Railway
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Looking west over the former Lochanhead station.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/101.jpg "Lochanhead")
![The closed Killywhan station viewed from the east.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/108.jpg "Killywhan")
![Kirkgunzeons closed station viewed from the east.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/109.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![Southwick station viewed from the east.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/110.jpg "Southwick")
![Looking east at the former station site in Castle Douglas.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/117.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Looking east at the former goods sheds at Castle Douglas.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/119.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Looking west at the former Maxwelltown station.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/126.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![Castle Douglas Junction looking towards Kirkcudbright.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/6000/6504.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Platform scene at Castle Douglas in May 1949, looking east towards Dumfries. Compound 4-4-0 no 1139 is approaching with a train for Stranraer.<br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 06/05/1949]](/images/7000/7416.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![57349 approaching Dalbeattie on 14 July 1956 with a Dumfries - Kirkcudbright train. [Ref query 5666] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1956]](/images/56000/56254.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![Dumfries based <I>Crab</I> 2-6-0 42918 leaving Castle Douglas with a down goods on 14 July 1956. <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1956]](/images/57000/57375.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Compound 4-4-0 41132 photographed at Dalbeattie on 14 July 1956 at the head of a Dumfries - Stranraer train. [Ref query 219] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1956]](/images/57000/57420.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![A down train approaching Dalbeattie in the summer of 1956. The train is double headed, with Dumfries shed's Stanier 3P 2-6-2T 40170 piloting Stranraer based Fowler 2P 4-4-0 40623.<br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1956]](/images/58000/58361.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![Class 5 4-6-0 45169 approaching Castle Douglas westbound on 14 July 1956 at the head of a Dumfries - Stranraer train. [Ref query 1000]<br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1956]](/images/58000/58957.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Stanier 3P 2-6-2T 40170 approaching Castle Douglas on 16 July 1956 with a train off the Kirkcudbright branch. [Ref query 24] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/57000/57005.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Black 5 45163 passing Kirkgunzeon on 16 July 1956 with the down 'Midday Paddy'. [Ref query 263] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/57000/57557.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![Compound 40920 stands at Castle Douglas on 16 July 1956 with a train for Dumfries. <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/57000/57604.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![View west towards Castle Douglas station on 16 July 1956 as Stanier 2-6-2T 40170 leaves with a train for Dumfries. <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/57000/57897.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Jubilee 45724 <I>Warspite</I> photographed just west of Dalbeattie heading for Dumfries with the up midday <I>'Paddy'</I> on 16 July 1956. The train has just crossed the River Urr on Barsoles Viaduct. [Ref query 28 October 2017] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/61000/61451.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![40170 comes off the Kirkcudbright branch under Ernespie Road bridge and into Castle Douglas station on a wet Monday in July 1956. The train is a stopping service for Dumfries.<br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956]](/images/61000/61766.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![After the return from Kirkudbright 45588 heads towards Newton Stewart.<br><br>[John Robin 15/04/1963]](/images/6000/6572.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Jubilee 45588 <I>Kashmir</I> leaving Dumfries for Castle Douglas with the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No.2 Railtour on 15 April 1963.<br><br>[K A Gray 15/04/1963]](/images/23000/23185.jpg "Dumfries")
![The SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No 2 has just passed through the site of Buittle station (1859-1894), heading west, behind Jubilee 45588 <I>Kashmir</I>. The wayside station (pronounced <I>'Bittle'</I>) between Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas was closed early in the railway's history when the line was doubled. The old station entrance can be seen to the left of the road on 15 April 1963. [Ref query 6890]<br><br>[John Robin 15/04/1963]](/images/49000/49593.jpg "Buittle")
![Abandoned platforms at Castle Douglas in 1970.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/02/1970]](/images/4000/4156.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Looking east over Castle Douglas in February 1970. The station had closed to passengers in June 1965.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/02/1970]](/images/4000/4157.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![The 1860 station at Maxwelltown (closed 1939) looking east towards Dumfries in 1970. At this time the line was still open as far as the ICI Works at Cargenbridge and the old goods yard off picture to the left housed a rail served fuel distribution depot. Only the up line was in use and the former station house was unoccupied and secured.<br><br>[John Furnevel 07/02/1970]](/images/4000/4422.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![The remaining building on the Dumfries bound platform at Dalbeattie in September 1973 viewed looking towards Castle Douglas. The road then ended here but has now been driven through the site. The bus stands on the filled-in area between the former platforms.<br>
<br><br>[Colin Miller /09/1973]](/images/23000/23617.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![View west from Castle Douglas in September 1973 with the station site behind the photographer. To the right is the route of the former line to Stranraer, while to the left is the trackbed of the Kirkcudbright branch. <br><br>[Colin Miller /09/1973]](/images/24000/24070.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![View from the Stranraer platform looking west at Castle Douglas in September 1973, some 8 years after closure. The trackbed has been infilled and one building remains at this stage (as a toilet block?). The former railway land here, which was put to a number of subsequent uses, is now occupied by a Tesco supermarket and its associated car park.<br><br>[Colin Miller /09/1973]](/images/32000/32313.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Located between Castle Douglas and Dumfries, the closed station at Kirkgunzeon looking south in 1977. The old station building and former railway land now form part of a caravan park.<br><br>[Ian Dinmore //1977]](/images/44000/44297.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![Looking west along the former Port Road over the closed Maxwelltown Station on 5 March 1989. A couple of tank wagons are in the yard, and the Cargenbridge plant, the end of the line by this time, stands in the background.<br><br>[Bill Roberton 05/03/1989]](/images/50000/50223.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![Remains of Maxwelltown station looking west in 2000 [see image 15526].<br><br>[John Furnevel 11/06/2000]](/images/3000/3771.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![Surviving columns of Barsoles Viaduct on the former Dumfries - Stranraer line stand in the River Urr just to the west of Dalbeattie in May 2002.<br><br>[John Furnevel 31/05/2002]](/images/3000/3319.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![The substantial old goods shed at Castle Douglas, seen here in July 2002 put to use by a builders merchant.<br><br>[John Furnevel 15/07/2002]](/images/2000/2450.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![The long closed Cargenbridge viaduct, west of Maxwelltown, in May 2003, looking northwest. <br><br>[John Furnevel 12/05/2003]](/images/2000/2387.jpg "Cargenbridge Viaduct")
![A lone walker heading east from Maxwelltown towards Dumfries in May 2003. View is north east from Terregles Road bridge with Maxwelltown station behind the camera.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/05/2003]](/images/5000/5364.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![The Port Road looking west through Maxwelltown towards Stranraer in May 2003, with the line having reverted to nature. Part of the fuel distribution depot can just be seen beyond the station building in the former yard. Plans were already underway to turn the route into the 'Maxwelltown Railway Path' [see image 15526].<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/05/2003]](/images/59000/59549.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![Inside the closed military depot at Southwick. Note: it is inadvisable to go near these buildings are they are not maintained and in poor condition.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2004]](/images/9000/9050.jpg "Southwick")
![The right bridge is the closed mainline from Dumfries to Stranraer and the left line is part of the internal railway network at Southwick depot. View looks eastish.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2004]](/images/9000/9051.jpg "Southwick")
![Goldielea Viaduct viewed from the south.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2004]](/images/9000/9052.jpg "Goldielea Viaduct")
![Dalbeattie looking west. All that is left of the station is a short section of the eastbound platform.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2004]](/images/9000/9053.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![Lifted track at the Cargenbridge ICI depot.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2004]](/images/9000/9054.jpg "Cargenbridge")
![The former Kirkgunzeon station, ten miles west of Dumfries, looking northwest in November 2005. The trackbed is to the right.<br><br>[John Furnevel 09/11/2005]](/images/5000/5989.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![Looking south across fields towards the former Killywhan station in November 2005. The site of the level crossing is by the metal gate at the end of the platform on the far left of the picture. <br><br>[John Furnevel 09/11/2005]](/images/5000/5991.jpg "Killywhan")
![Looking west along the remaining section of platform at Killywhan on a cold and frosty morning in November 2005. View from the site of the old level crossing.<br><br>[John Furnevel 09/11/2005]](/images/12000/12945.jpg "Killywhan")
![Looking east over the former Kirkgunzeon station towards Dumfries in November 2005. Note the clue to the site's current use in the left background.<br><br>[John Furnevel 09/11/2005]](/images/12000/12956.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![A cold and frosty November morning at Kirkgunzeon, between Dumfries and Dalbeattie, in 2005. View is south east, with part of the platform still visible. Kirkgunzeon station closed to passengers in January 1950. <br><br>[John Furnevel 09/11/2005]](/images/60000/60003.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![Former goods shed at Castle Douglas in November 2005.<br><br>[John Furnevel 12/11/2005]](/images/2000/2448.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Walking the dogs - Dumfries 2006. The arched bridge across the Nith carried the line to Castle Douglas (1859) and later on to Stranraer. Beyond it is the road bridge built to carry the Dumfries by-pass 130 years later. View is north.<br><br>[John Furnevel 17/04/2006]](/images/8000/8474.jpg "Dumfries")
![Over the fence! View west along a surviving section of the up platform at Dalbeattie in May 2007. This inaccessible section of the old station site now appears to be part of private commercial premises. Photographed through a gap in the metal gate [see image 15413].<br><br>[John Furnevel 29/05/2007]](/images/15000/15412.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![View west from Station Road, Dalbeattie, between the truncated remains of the infilled platforms in May 2007. Part of what was the up (Dumfries bound) platform now lies behind the fence on the right [see image 15412] with the site of the old goods yard over to the left. <br><br>[John Furnevel 29/05/2007]](/images/15000/15413.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![The former Maxwelltown station looking west towards Stranraer on 29 May 2007. The track has been lifted although the platforms and station building (now refurbished and occupied) can be seen behind the fence alongside what has now become the Maxwelltown Railway Path. A Scottish Oils depot occupies the site of the goods yard. [See image 4422].<br><br>[John Furnevel 29/05/2007]](/images/15000/15526.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![The fenced off deck of Cargenbridge Viaduct, 2 miles south west of Dumfries, seen looking through the railings towards Stranraer in May 2007. The viaduct carried traffic on the <I>Port Road</I> until closure of the line as a through route in 1965, following which it continued for many years to serve the ICI plant that stood in the right background (much of the area is now a business park). Final closure of this remaining section came in 1994. The <I>Maxwelltown Railway Path</I> now occupies the old trackbed from a point just behind the camera back to Dumfries. (The western access to the path can be seen bottom right.) [See image 15525].<br><br>[John Furnevel 29/05/2007]](/images/27000/27186.jpg "Cargenbridge Viaduct")
![Remains at Dalbeattie in May 2007 looking east towards Station Road. The infilled platforms are on the left of the picture, while the goods yard was to the right. [See image 15413] [Ref query 1665] <br><br>[John Furnevel 29/05/2007]](/images/60000/60312.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![Cargenbridge Viaduct looking south east in May 2007. The trackbed is now fenced off at each end of the viaduct which is deemed a dangerous structure. The Maxwelltown Railway Path climbs up the embankment on the left and joins the old trackbed heading east towards Dumfries.<br><br>[John Furnevel 30/05/2007]](/images/15000/15525.jpg "Cargenbridge Viaduct")
![Plaque commemorating the opening of the <I>Queen of the South viaduct</I>, Dumfries, as a footpath/cycleway in July 2008.<br><br>[Brian Smith 27/02/2009]](/images/23000/23282.jpg "Plates, signs and notices")
![The 1859 bridge that carried the Stranraer line over the Nith between Dumfries and Maxwelltown, reopened in July 2008 as the <I>Queen of the South viaduct</I> for use by pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Maxwelltown Railway Path. <br><br>[Brian Smith 27/02/2009]](/images/23000/23283.jpg "Queen of the South Viaduct")
![The River Urr flows south through Kirkcudbrightshire towards the Solway Firth a mile west of Dalbeattie on 1 September 2009. Trains on the former Dumfries - Stranraer <I>Port Road</I> crossed the river here prior to closure of the route in 1965. The old piers of Barsoles viaduct still stand and can be seen running across the centre of the photograph.<br>
<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/25000/25293.jpg "Dalbeattie")
![The 1859 station at Kirkgunzeon, between Castle Douglas and Dumfries, seen from the north in September 2009. Some refurbishment has taken place since my previous visit, with the last of the platform remains now covered by the patio, although the station clock has reappeared. Much of the surrounding area, including the former goods yard, is now part of a large caravan park (which was about to experience some heavy rain!) <br>
<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/25000/25333.jpg "Kirkgunzeon")
![View over the Nith from the pathway on the east bank of the river on 1 September showing the bridge that once carried the Dumfries - Stranraer line. The bridge was refurbished and reopened in July 2008 as the <I>Queen of the South Viaduct</I> for the use of pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Maxwelltown Railway Path. The route follows the trackbed west as far as Cargenbridge Viaduct [See image 15525]<br>
<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/25000/25340.jpg "Queen of the South Viaduct")
![View west over the <I>Queen of the South Viaduct</I> spanning the Nith in Dumfries on 1 September 2009. The refurbished and resurfaced former railway bridge is now part of the 'Maxwelltown' Railway Path to Cargenbridge [see image 27186].<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/25000/25379.jpg "Queen of the South Viaduct")
![High water on the Nith at Dumfries looking north in September 2009 following a period of heavy rain which resulted in local flooding. In the background is the bridge that carried the Port Road across the river on its journey to Stranraer, with the short section serving the former ICI Works at Cargenbridge, finally closing in 1994. The bridge is now the <I>Queen of the South Viaduct</I>, part of the 'Maxwelltown Railway Path' [see image 25379].<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/37000/37716.jpg "Dumfries")
![The former station at Killywhan on the Port Road between Dumfries and Castle Douglas (closed to passengers 1950). Photographed on 1 September 2009 looking south west from the site of the level crossing towards Dalbeattie. The building has been modified considerably since final closure of the line in 1965 and now extends over much of the platform, part of which can still be seen beyond the gate.<br><br>[John Furnevel 01/09/2009]](/images/43000/43960.jpg "Killywhan")
![A snowy scene on the <I>Maxwelltown Railway Path</I> on 8 January 2010.<br><br>[Brian Smith 08/01/2010]](/images/27000/27341.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![View west over the renovated <I>Queen of the South</I> viaduct over the Nith towards Maxwelltown on 8 January 2010. The old viaduct is now part of the Maxwelltown Railway Path. <br><br>[Brian Smith 08/01/2010]](/images/27000/27354.jpg "Queen of the South Viaduct")
![View west at Cargenbrdge Viaduct towards Castle Douglas on 16 March 2010. The viaduct marks the end of the 'Maxwelltown Railway Path', a tarmac surfaced cycling and walking route from Dumfries which now runs along the old trackbed. [See image 25379] Part of the former Cargenbridge ICI Works can be seen on the right. [The viaduct itself is currently fenced off having been officially declared an 'unsafe structure'.]<br><br>[Ken Strachan 16/03/2010]](/images/30000/30745.jpg "Cargenbridge Viaduct")
![The tallish building in the centre of the picture was Maxwelltown Station and is now a house surrounded by more modern counterparts. The trackbed to Stranraer is in front of the red fence and forms part of a cyclepath/walkway to Castle Douglas.<br><br>[John Gray 10/04/2010]](/images/28000/28488.jpg "Maxwelltown")
![About a mile west of the former Maxwelltown Station is Cargenbridge viaduct. It is closed off and appears to be blocked by an industrial area on the far side. The Maxwelltown railway path takes a diversion here.<br><br>[John Gray 10/04/2010]](/images/28000/28498.jpg "Cargenbridge Viaduct")
![Scene at Castle Douglas in July 2011 looking south west from what was once the town's goods yard. The substantial old goods shed survives as a building supplies and DIY centre, while the white building in the left background on the other side of Oatwell Road still carries the name 'Station Hotel'. Off to the right, behind the goods shed, the site of the former station itself (closed June 1965) is now occupied by a Tesco supermarket and car park.<br><br>[John Furnevel 03/07/2011]](/images/34000/34786.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Novel little sign in Dumfries in the shadow of the closed Maxwelltown branch (formerly the Port Road) off the Nith Line. Tom Train refers to a certain tank engine.<br><br>[Brian Smith 18/03/2016]](/images/54000/54675.jpg "Maxwelltown Goods Junction")
![The road overbridge at the west end of the station - all that is visible is part of the main beam - [see image 32313] for 1973. All else is under a Tesco here.<br><br>[Colin Miller 07/07/2016]](/images/56000/56115.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Looking west from the road bridge at the station site - [see image 24070] for a 1973 view.<br><br>[Colin Miller 07/07/2016]](/images/56000/56127.jpg "Castle Douglas")
![Road approach to the former Maxwelltown station in 2017. The station, now a private residence, closed to passengers in 1939. The old station yard off to the right saw use as a rail served fuel distribution depot for several years. The last remaining section of the line serving the former ICI works at Cargenbridge, less than two miles west of here, finally closed in 1994. [Ref query 1025]<br><br>[Ross Wilson 26/05/2017]](/images/59000/59406.jpg "Maxwelltown")
