Lesmahagow Railway

Introduction

This line is closed except for two short sections; - part of the Hamilton Circle. This section runs between Motherwell (Lesmahagow Junction) and Ferniegair (Ross Junction). - the Larkhall Branch. The section from Ross Junction to Merryton re-opened as the Larkhall Branch in 2005. Authorised as the Lesmahagow Branches. Also known as the Coalburn branch. The line ran south from Motherwell to Larkhall, Stonehaven, Blackwood, Lesmahagow and Coalburn.




Dates

  /  /1847Lesmahagow Railway
Act passed for a line from Motherwell to Bankend (beyond Coalburn). The Caledonian Railway fail to build the line.
  /  /1847Lesmahagow Railway
'Lesmahagow Branches' line authorised from Blantyre, on the Clydesdale Junction Railway, to Weston (Lesmahagow), Canderside to Strathaven, Forkins to Bankend, and Forkins to Fauldhouse.
24/07/1851Lesmahagow Railway
Line authorised (this the semi independent 'Lesmahagow Branches' which is backed by the Caledonian Railway); route Motherwell to Ferniegair to Coalburn to Bankend, branch to Northfield (probably the Southfield Old Pit).
  /  /1854Clydesdale Junction Railway
Proposed branch to Auchenheath abandoned (when the Lesmahagow Railway is authorised).
  /  /1854Lesmahagow Railway
Line reconsidered, stock alterations and route alterations. Route Motherwell to Ferniegair to Coalburn to Bankend, branch to Northfield (probably the Southfield Old Pit). Southfield branch authorised. Branch to Littlegill Colliery authorised.
  /  /1854Lesmahagow Railway
Line authorised from Lesmahagow Junction to Bankend.
  /  /1856Lesmahagow Railway
Southfield Branch opened.
01/12/1856Lesmahagow Railway
Lesmahagow Junction to Bankend opened to minerals. Littlegill Colliery branch opened.
  /  /1860Lesmahagow Railway
Northfield (probably Southfield Old Pit) branch opened. (Alternative date 12/1856.)
  /  /1860Lesmahagow Railway Caledonian Railway
Lesmahagow Railway purchased by the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1860Lesmahagow Railway
The line promoted as the 'Lesmahagow Branches' is fully vested into the Caledonian Railway. It is handled separately within the company as the Lesmahagow Guarantee Company.
  /  /1861Lesmahagow Railway
The Nethan Viaduct was showing signs of severe wear and tear. Later the Camp Viaduct (Ferniegair) was also showing wear. Both were rebuilt. Camp Viaduct is still in use as part of the Hamilton Circle line.
  /  /1861Lesmahagow Railway
Southfield Branch Extension authorised. (Suspect entry: North Southfield branch (possibly Southfield Old Pit) authorised.)
30/07/1861Lesmahagow Railway
Branch line authorised from Stonehouse Junction [Lanarkshire] to Cot Castle Goods (Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]).
01/09/1862Lesmahagow Railway
Opened from Stonehouse Junction [Lanarkshire] to Canderside Exchange Sidings to goods.
01/11/1862Lesmahagow Railway
North Southfield (probably Southfield Old Pit) to Southfield (probably Southfield New Pit) opened to minerals.
01/11/1862Lesmahagow Railway
Blackwood [1st] branch opened for goods.
  /  /1863Lesmahagow Railway
Deviation and extension of the Southfield Branch authorised.
11/05/1863Lesmahagow Railway
Caledonian Railway authorised to double Motherwell to Southfield (probably Southfield New Pit) and to run passengers trains to Lesmahagow [1st], the Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] branch and the Blackwood [1st] branch. The Caledonian Railway owns the Lesmahagow Lines by this time. Deviation, improvement and extension authorised.
01/09/1864Lesmahagow Railway
Canderside Exchange Sidings to Cot Castle Goods opened to minerals.
01/09/1864Lesmahagow Railway
Stonehouse branch extended from Canderside Exchange Sidings through Stonehouse to Cot Castle Goods.
01/11/1864Lesmahagow Railway
Motherwell to Southfield Junction line doubling complete. (Alternative date 1866.) Doubling was undertaken in anticipation of increased traffic after opening to passengers.
01/12/1866Lesmahagow Railway
Passenger services start; a connecting bus runs between Hamilton and Ferniegair [1st] for route to Glasgow's South Side (passenger trains not allowed north of Ferniegair until improvements made including replacement of the Camp Viaduct). Trains runs south from Ferniegair [1st] to Lesmahagow [1st]. Blackwood [1st] slip carriage dropped at Southfield Junction and taken on separately. Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] branch opened to passengers.
01/04/1868Lesmahagow Railway
Ferniegair to Motherwell, Lesmahagow Junction, opened to passengers. Trains start running from Buchanan Street to Lesmahagow [1st].
  /  /1872Lesmahagow Railway
Deviation to Ross Junction authorised.
29/05/1876Lesmahagow Railway
Hamilton West to Ross Junction opened to freight.
18/09/1876Lesmahagow Railway
Hamilton West to Ross Junction opened to minerals.
02/10/1876Lesmahagow Railway
Hamilton West to Ross Junction opened to passengers.
  /  /1877Lesmahagow Railway
Brocketsbrae Shed opened to the east of Lesmahagow [1st] station. At the time this was the limit of the passenger service.
01/10/1878Lesmahagow Railway
Tillietudlem station opened.
  /  /1881Lesmahagow Railway
Lesmahagow Guarantee Company dissolved.
02/05/1883Muirkirk and Lesmahagow Junction Railway
Poneil Junction (Muirkirk Branch (Caledonian Railway)) to Alton Heights Junction (Lesmahagow Railway) opened to goods and passengers. (Alternative date 02/04/1883.)
  /  /1885Clydesdale Junction Railway Lesmahagow Railway
New Motherwell station opened in the 'V' of Lesmahagow Junction.
02/11/1891Lesmahagow Railway
Passenger service extended from Lesmahagow [1st] to Coalburn.
  /  /1894Lesmahagow Railway
Line extended from Blackwood [1st] to Dunduff Quarry
  /  /1896Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Construction of line from Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] (Lesmahagow Railway) to Blackwood [2nd] (Lesmahagow Railway) begins.
  /  /1896Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Construction of line from Alton Heights (Lesmahagow Railway) to Blackwood Junction (Lesmahagow Railway) begins.
  /  /1896Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Construction of line from Merryton Junction, (Lesmahagow Railway) to Larkhall Central and Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] (Lesmahagow Railway) begins.
  /  /1896Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Construction of line from Cot Castle Goods (Lesmahagow Railway) to Strathaven Central (Hamilton and Strathaven Railway) begins.
01/07/1903Lesmahagow Railway
Ayr Road station renamed Dalserf.
  /  /1904Lesmahagow Railway
Stonehouse Junction [Lanarkshire] renamed Dalserf Junction in anticipation of the opening of the Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway).
  /  /1905Lesmahagow Railway
Lesmahagow [1st] renamed Brocketsbrae.
01/07/1905Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Merryton Junction, (Lesmahagow Railway) to Larkhall Central and Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] (Lesmahagow Railway) opened. Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] (Lesmahagow Railway) to Blackwood Junction (Lesmahagow Railway) opened. Blackwood Junction (Lesmahagow Railway) to Alton Heights (Lesmahagow Railway) opened. Cot Castle Goods (Lesmahagow Railway) to Strathaven Central opened. Stations opened at Larkhall Central, Blackwood [2nd], Lesmahagow [2nd]. Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] rebuilt.
01/07/1905Lesmahagow Railway
Larkhall [1st] renamed Larkhall East.
  /  /1910Lesmahagow Railway
Authorisation to stop up Merryton Level Crossing.
  /  /1915Lesmahagow Railway
Agreement with Duke of Hamilton for closure of Merryton Level Crossing.
  /08/1932Lesmahagow Railway
Brocketsbrae Shed, pit and siding removed. (The shed closed not long after 1923.)
05/01/1935Lesmahagow Railway
Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] (Stonehouse East Junction) to Dalserf (Dalserf Junction) closed to passengers.
23/02/1935Lesmahagow Railway
Stonehouse East Junction (excluded) to Canderside Exchange Sidings (excluded) closed to freight.
11/09/1939Muirkirk and Lesmahagow Junction RailwayLesmahagow Railway
Douglas West (Poneil Junction) to Brocketsbrae closed to passengers (except a Saturdays only train using Alton Heights Junction to Brocketsbrae until 2nd May 1942).
02/05/1942Lesmahagow Railway
Alton Heights (excluded) to Brocketsbrae (excluded) closed to passengers.
  /  /1949Lesmahagow Railway
Merryton Junction taken out. Lines now ran north as two single track lines in parallel to Ferniegair Junction which becomes the new point of division.
01/10/1951Lesmahagow Railway
Blackwood (Blackwood Junction) to Tillietudlem (Southfield Junction) closed to passengers.
01/10/1951Lesmahagow Railway
Brocketsbrae to Hamilton (Ferniegair Junction) closed to passengers.
21/09/1953Lesmahagow Railway
Alton Heights (excluded) via Brocketsbrae to Southfield Junction (excluded) closed to freight.
04/01/1960Lesmahagow Railway
Blackwood Junction (excluded) to Southfield Junction to Dalserf Junction (excluded) closed to freight. Netherburn and Tillietudlem closed to goods.
20/04/1964Lesmahagow Railway
Dalserf Junction to Ferniegair Junction closed to freight.
20/04/1964Lesmahagow Railway
Canderside Exchange Sidings to Dalserf (Dalserf Junction) closed to freight.
04/10/1965Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Coalburn to Hamilton (Haughhead Junction) closed to passengers. Stations closed: Coalburn, Lesmahagow [2nd], Blackwood [2nd], Stonehouse [Lanarkshire], Larkhall Central. Additionally Strathaven Central to Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] closed to passengers.
04/10/1965Lesmahagow Railway
Coalburn to Auchlochan Nos 9 and 10 Collieries (excluded) closed to freight.
16/09/1968Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Auchlochan Nos 9 and 10 Collieries to Larkhall Central (excluded) closed to freight.
04/11/1968Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Larkhall Central to Haughhead Junction (excluded) closed to freight.
  /05/1974Lesmahagow Railway Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton Branch (Caledonian Railway)
The Hamilton Circle is electrified from Motherwell to Newton.
04/07/2005Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Signalling switched on for the re-opening of the Hamilton (Haughhead Junction) - Larkhall branch. The contractor for the reinstatement of the line was Carillion.
17/07/2005Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Overhead Line Equipment (overhead wires) energised for the re-opening of the Hamilton (Haughhead Junction) - Larkhall line.
26/09/2005Lesmahagow Railway Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Driver training begins on the Larkhall line.
12/12/2005Lesmahagow Railway
Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Line opened from Haughhead Junction via Chatelherault and Merryton to terminate at Larkhall. Total cost was £35M.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Motherwell to Bankend

Britannia Pacific 70009 proved to be 'Alfred the Not-so-great' on 3rd Jan 1967. Steam haulage between Glasgow and Carlisle had by that time become a ...
Robin McGregor 03/01/1967
View across Lesmahagow Junction with a ballast train in the foreground reversing into the Findlay sidings. In the background is 37140 with a permanent ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
26 011 shunts ballast at Lesmahagow Junction, Motherwell. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
A Black 5 leaves Motherwell on 5 July 1964 with a stopping train for Glasgow Central. ...
John Robin 05/07/1964
4 of 8 images. more


This is a four platform station. The station is at the junction of the Glasgow Central to London Euston main line and the Hamilton Circle line to Hamilton Central. There are carriage sidings on the west side of the station, next to the northbound platform of the Hamilton Circle lines.
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See also
Clydesdale Junction Railway
Part of a display at the revamped Motherwell station building. Of course Dalzell remains open ... ...
John Yellowlees 30/05/2023
The entrance to Motherwell station, just before construction work completed. ...
John Yellowlees 30/05/2023
314201 calls at Motherwell with a Lanark service in 1992.
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Bill Roberton //1992
87012 'Coeur de Lion' waiting for the 'Right Away' from Motherwell in August 1983. ...
Crinan Dunbar /08/1982
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This signal box was located south of the Hamilton platforms at Motherwell station. It was built at the site of the former Motherwell Bridge station.
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This station was located just to the south of the present Hamilton platforms of Motherwell station.
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This is a modern and minimal two platform station in the south of Motherwell. The station opened in a deep cutting to the south of Airbles Road.
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A service for Dalmuir pulls out of the clockwise platform at Airbles in 11 December 2019. ...
David Panton 11/12/2019
A Dalmuir service pulls into Airbles on 5 January 2019. ...
David Panton 05/01/2019
Looking north from Airbles Road to Motherwell. ...
Ewan Crawford //1987
The 11.42 Milngavie - Lanark service calls at Airbles (opened 1989) on an August afternoon in 2006. The station name sign here is claimed by some to ...
John Furnevel 14/08/2006
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This junction was to the south of Airbles station. Two colliery lines met the Lesmahagow Railway, one on either side of the main line. Approach to the mineral lines was from the north.
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Owned by the Glasgow Iron and Steel co Ltd. Locate at the end of a branch which ran south east from Camp Colliery Junction.
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This is a double track viaduct over the River Clyde, also known as Ferniegair Viaduct. The original 1856 single track viaduct began to fail around 1862 and was replaced. For many years the line carried considerable coal traffic, today it is on the Hamilton Circle line.
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A train has just crossed Camp Viaduct and is approaching the site of Ross Junction in 1999. The view looks east with the River Clyde off to the left. ...
Ewan Crawford //1999
View south west over Camp Viaduct which crosses the River Clyde between Motherwell and Hamilton. Camp is on the east bank of the Clyde in Motherwell ...
Network Rail /03/2023
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This junction opened in 1876 between the 1856 Lesmahagow Railway and a new line west through Haughhead Junction to Hamilton Central and Hamilton West. This opening created the Hamilton Circle (actually teardrop shaped).
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Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway)


This colliery was sunk by Merry and Cunninghame in the 1860s. It was served by a short mineral line from Ross Juncion (the first part of this junction to be built).
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This box was at the south end of the main part of Ross Yard, just south of where the Haughhead Junction to Ferniegair Junction line passed underneath. The box controlled access to the south end of yard.
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This through station opened in 1868, replacing the Ferniegair [1st] terminus station, which was located a little to the south. Its opening coincided with the replacement of Camps Viaduct and the approval to run passenger trains between Lesmahagow Junction and the replaced Ferniegair [1st] station.
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This station was a terminus for the line south to Lesmahagow [1st]. The line had opened to goods and minerals in 1856. Although the line continued north over the Camps Viaduct to Motherwell when the line opened to passengers in 1866 it was not passed for passenger trains requiring the terminus until replacement of the viaduct in 1868.
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This is a new (2005) single platform station on a single track line, located on the west side of the line. The station has a large car park. To the south is the Allanton Loop.
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See also
Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway)
1331 Dalmuir-Larkhall at Chatelherault ...
Andy Kirkham 12/12/2005
1331 Dalmuir-Larkhall at Chatelherault. ...
Andy Kirkham 12/12/2005
The future site of Chatelherault station looking north. The platform is in preparation and cutting has been cut back. ...
Ewan Crawford 27/3/2005
Southbound 334 020 arrives at Chatelherault on 8 March 2008 with a service for Larkhall. ...
David Panton 08/03/2008
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This junction was formed in 1876 when the 1856 Lesmahagow Railway was met by the a new Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) line, an extension of the Hamilton branch which also created the Hamilton Circle. Ferniegair was the southern junction of a triangular junction.
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See also
Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway)
View looking south at Ferniegair showing the new passing loop. The crane is loading sleepers for delivery to Merryton. ...
Ewan Crawford 20/03/2005
Looking south at Ferniegair. The new passing loop will be just to the south of here in the distance. ...
Ewan Crawford 2/5/2004
Looking South. Ferniegair Junction. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 12/07/1962
3 of 3 images.


This was a two platform station located directly south of Ferniegair Junction, the junction signal box being at the north end of the station's northbound platform. The station building was on the northbound platform with a shelter on the southbound.
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Passing south a train from Dalmuir heads for Larkhall. ...
Ewan Crawford 12/12/2005
A Larkhall service from Dalmuir enters the passing loop to the south of Ferniegair. ...
Ewan Crawford 12/12/2005
2 of 2 images.




This signal box was on the west of the line south of today's Chatelherault station and Allanton Loop.
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This junction was north of Merryton station, (a new station dating from 2005).
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Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Demolition of old girder bridge and decking at Merryton Junction before replacing with a new concrete structure in March 2005. This bridge carries the ...
Gordon Steel /03/2005
Demolition of old girder bridge and decking at Merryton Junction before replacing with a new concrete structure in March 2005. This bridge carries the ...
Gordon Steel /03/2005
Demolition of old girder bridge and decking at Merryton Junction before replacing with a new concrete structure in March 2005. This bridge carries the ...
Gordon Steel /03/2005
Demolition of old girder bridge and decking at Merryton Junction before replacing with a new concrete structure in March 2005. This bridge carries the ...
Gordon Steel /03/2005
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This signal box was south east of Merryton Junction on the Lesmahagow Railway. It controlled access to Bog Colliery Pits Nos 1, 2 and 3, to the east, and Dykehead Colliery to the south.
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This small signal box controlled a trailing crossover at a water tank between Larkhall East and Dykehead Signal Box. Both box and tank were on the west side of the line at the Daisy Cottages (east side).
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This was a two platform station to the north east of Larkhall. The main station building was on the northbound line with a waiting room on the southbound.
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Larkhall East looking north. The station was beyond the goods shed. ...
Ewan Crawford 10/06/2005
Larkhall East looking south. Only the goods shed and a short section of platform remains here. ...
Ewan Crawford 10/06/2005
The SLS Scottish Rambler No 3 railtour at Larkhall East on 29 March 1964. Locomotive in charge is Crab 2-6-0 42737. The special was on ...
John Robin 29/03/1964
The SLS Scottish Rambler No 3 railtour stands at Larkhall East on 29 March 1964 behind Crab 2-6-0 no 42737. ...
Andy Carr Collection 29/03/1964
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North of Dalserf station Millburn Colliery and Millburn Chemical Works were on a loop on the west side side of the line. The signal box was on the west side at the south end of the loop.
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This was a two platform station. To the immediate south was Stonehouse Junction.
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Looking north at Dalserf station (formerly Ayr Road). ...
Ewan Crawford 10/06/2005
Looking south from Dalserf station. The original route to Coalburn via Tillietudlem (later replaced by a new alignment through Blackwood) was straight ...
Ewan Crawford 10/06/2005
Crab 2-6-0 42737 seen during a photostop at Dalserf, South Lanarkshire, on 29 March 1964 with Scottish Rambler No 3. ...
John Robin 29/03/1964
Crab 2-6-0 42737 with Scottish Rambler No 3 at Dalserf on 29 March 1964. The special would continue on this leg of its journey as far as Swinhill ...
John Robin 29/03/1964
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This was the branch between the line to Lesmahagow [1st] and the branch to Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]. This junction was directly south of Dalserf station, to the extent that the station goods yard led off the Stonehouse branch. (Later modified to be accessible via a headshunt laid on the west side of the branch which started at the station.)
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This signal box was on the west side of the line at the north end of a loop off the main line which served Auldton Colliery. The colliery was on the east side. The north end of this loop was what is now Ashgill and south at Over Dalserf.
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This signal box was on the east side of the railway controlling access to Over Dalserf Colliery.
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This signal box was on the west side of the railway controlling access to Woodside Colliery Pit No 3.
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This box, along with the nearby Hill Colliery Signal Box to the south, was associated with several mines to the north of Netherburn station.
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This signal box was north of Netherburn station. The railway was double track. It was located on the east side of the line opposite a short mineral branch which ran north west to Hill Colliery from a reversing spur which made a trailing connection. From south of the box a long loop ran north, going behind the box, to serve Longlee Colliery No 3 Pit which rejoined the main line at ...

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This was a two platform station with small buildings and a footbridge at the south end. The station did not open with the line which was originally single track but progressively doubled (line opened 1856 and station 1866).
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The site of Netherburn station, looking north over the housing now occupying the site from a road bridge over the former railway. ...
Ewan Crawford 27/3/2005
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This location was, and is, an isolated spot. There were several sidings here serving the end of a long tramway running east to coal mines around Craignethan, north and east of Craignethan Castle itself.
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This was a two platform station opened just to the north of Southfield Junction. The station served a countryside location with some coal mine and Craignethan Castle. ...

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A fallen tree blocking the trackbed at Tillietudlem in the spring of 2007. Not really a problem since the line ahead, running south towards Blackwood ...
John Furnevel 08/03/2007
Inside the shelter at Tillietudlem station. View looks north. The two platforms can be seen to the left. ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
Platform remains at Tillietudlem, South Lanarkshire, on 8 March 2007, looking north towards Netherburn. The station closed to passengers in 1951 with ...
John Furnevel 08/03/2007
Looking south from the former building on the northbound platform of Tillietudlem station. The surviving building and platforms can be seen to the ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
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This junction was south of Tillietudlem station. It was the junction between the main line of the Lesmahagow Railway south to Lesmahagow [1st] and the branch south west to Blackwood [1st].
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Looking south at Southfield Junction. Coalburn route straight on and route to Blackwood to the right. ...
Ewan Crawford //
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This was was located south of Tillietudlem station at the south end of a mineral line loop which began north of the station. The loop was on the east side of the station and also served the gas works.
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This was a 12 span single track girder viaduct over the River Nethan. Known as 'The Big Brig'.
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Just north of the Nethan Viaduct is this huge retaining wall for a short branch to the long closed Fence colliery running west from a north facing ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
Looking west at the piers of the former Nethan Viaduct looking very like John Thomas description of relics of an ancient civilisation. ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
Central ashlar pier of the Nethan Viaduct. This was one of the highest viaducts in Scotland. ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
Aerial view of the Nethan Viaduct and Southfield Junction. Viaduct bottom right and junction and Tillietudlem station top left. ...
Ewan Crawford //
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North of Auchenheath station, and immediately south of the Nethan Viaduct, the Little Gill mineral branch left the railway to run north (passing Auchenheath Colliery) then east (passing Auchenheath New Pit) and finally south to reach Little Gill Colliery.
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This station did not open with the line, which opened in 1856. The site was just under a mile south of the Nethan Viaduct and close to Auchenheath House. The line was perched above the house.
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View north from the single platform of the former Auchenheath station in 1996. The Coalburn line was double track as far south as the Nethan Viaduct ...
Ewan Crawford //1996
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A view north of the Auchenheath goods loading bank, south of the level crossing, in November 2004. This location has since been obliterated. The ...
Ewan Crawford 10/11/2004
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This was a single platform station. The station was south of a level crossing. It was a short platform. Opposite, on the east side of the line, was the signal box. It opened in 1891.
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Brocketsbrae. View looking south away from the level crossing. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 11/08/1949
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This unadvertised halt was located at Alton Heights Junction. ...

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This was a four way junction. The location was originally called Auldton Heights.
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See also
Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Muirkirk and Lesmahagow Junction Railway
View south at Alton Heights Junction in 1996. To the right was the original line running to Coalburn, to the left the line to Poneil Junction. Alton ...
Ewan Crawford //1996
Alton Heights. 42128 on Coalburn train. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 25/07/1953
Alton Heights. Looking north. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 25/07/1953
45029 takes water at Alton Heights on 15 May 1964 after arriving with a pigeon special see image 46637. This had once been a 4-way junction with ...
John Robin 15/05/1964
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(Alternative closure date of 1957.) This halt served the nearby Auchlochan mines. Auchlochan Signal Box opened in 1891. The nearby Auchlochan Nos 6 and 7 Collieries and Auchlochan Nos 9 and 10 Collieries opened in 1894. The box opened to allow passenger trains to reach Coalburn, prior to its opening this was a goods and minerals only line, passenger trains terminated at [[Lesmahagow ...

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Straight ahead was the route to Coalburn and on to Bankend and to the right was the connection to the NCB system at Auchlochan which survived until ...
Ewan Crawford 27/09/2004
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This halt served Bellfield Colliery No 3 and Bellfield Colliery No 4. ...

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Coalburn station was opened on a line already open since 1856. Passenger trains had terminated further north at Lesmahagow [1st] until 1891 when the service extended south.
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Looking from the site of Coalburn level crossing looking to Bankend in 1996. The trackbed was being obliterated by opencast minding. ...
Ewan Crawford //1996
Coalburn Station in July 1967, approximately 21 months after final closure on 4th
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Douglas Blades /07/1967
The Station Hotel, Coalburn in 1990. The railway passed to the left. The hotel was later demolished.
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Bill Roberton //1990
Looking south west from the former level crossing at Coalburn Station in 1990. Beyond the trackbed is evidence of opencast coal working.
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Bill Roberton //1990
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Bankend was the terminus of the Lesmahagow Branch. The line terminated in an area of coal mines. Mines were redeveloped several times with the line and associated tramways being altered as required. At its height there was a considerable number of sidings here.
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Bankend, opencasted. The view looks east. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Just west of Bankend looking at the line to Muirkirk turning southwest. View looks north. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Bankend CR 0.4.4T 55182. Train on arrival at Bankend from Coalburn before running round. [Railscot note: Blemish on print.] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 25/06/1953
2.6.4T 42165 at Bankhead [sic] (Coalburn). Evening trip to Lanarkshire. [Railscot note: location is Bankend.] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 11/08/1949
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Stonehouse Branch

This was the branch between the line to Lesmahagow [1st] and the branch to Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]. This junction was directly south of Dalserf station, to the extent that the station goods yard led off the Stonehouse branch. (Later modified to be accessible via a headshunt laid on the west side of the branch which started at the station.)
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This junction was for initially for Swinhill Colliery. The junction probably opened with the line. Both the spellings Swinehill and Swinhill were used. The signal box used the spelling Swinehill.
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Crab 42737 at Swinhill on 29 March 1964 with Scottish Rambler no 3. At this time Swinhill was the terminus of the former route south to ...
John Robin 29/03/1964
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This was a double track masonry arch viaduct, only carrying one track, built over the Cander Water. On the site of the bridge is a road bridge carrying the A71.
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This junction was east of Stonehouse [Lanarkshire] station. The 1864 Stonehouse branch of the Lesmahagow Railway was met by the Merryton Junction to Stonehouse section of the 1905 Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway).
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Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)


This was a large station of four platforms where four lines met. It had begun as a much smaller station with one platform.
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Extract from the Scottish Region timetable winter 1960-61 showing the Strathaven and Coalburn branches. It shows a rather poor service by today's ...
David Panton 12/09/1960
Fourth Disrict Lanarkshire Map from 1913 of Stonehouse area with some lines not yet built. This plan is part of a book of Fourth District Council ...
Gordon Steel //1913
Not much remains of Stonehouse station after the route of the line was obliterated in 1993 during construction of the town bypass. This platform on ...
Ewan Crawford 18/07/2015
Motherwell Black 5 no 45029 at Stonehouse station on 15 May 1964 on its way back from Alton Heights with a pigeon special see image 46637. ...
John Robin 15/05/1964
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This junction was west of Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]. It was created when the original Lesmahagow Railway branch to Stonehouse of 1864 was met with two sections of the 1905 Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway). The original route east to Dalserf and the route west through Stonehouse to Cot Castle Goods survived.
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Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)


This goods station was the terminus of a branch from Stonehouse Junction. It was to the east of the ruins of Cot Castle [Castle]. The station was simple, terminating in a pair of long sidings (probably a loop), with a short siding on the south side by the access road.
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Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)





Blackwood Branch

This junction was south of Tillietudlem station. It was the junction between the main line of the Lesmahagow Railway south to Lesmahagow [1st] and the branch south west to Blackwood [1st].
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Looking south at Southfield Junction. Coalburn route straight on and route to Blackwood to the right. ...
Ewan Crawford //
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This signal box was roughly half way between Southfield Junction and Blackwood [1st].
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Substantial lineside hut on the Blackwood branch about a mile north of Blackwood heading towards Tillietudlem. This view looks to Blackwood. There ...
Ewan Crawford 27/03/2005
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This junction opened in 1905 when the 1864 Blackwood [1st] branch (passengers from 1866) of the Lesmahagow Railway was met by two sections of the new Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway).
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Mid Lanark Lines (Caledonian Railway)
Blackwood Junction. [Railscot note: looking north.] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/06/1953
Blackwood Junction. [Railscot note: looking south. Blemish on print.] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/06/1953
Looking south from Blackwood signal box in May 1964, as 45029 with a pigeon special waits for a DMU from Coalburn to clear the section to Alton ...
John Robin 15/05/1964
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This station was the terminus of a branch from Southfield Junction. Tram roads served the area, from 1856, before the branch fully opened from Southfield Old Pit to Blackwood in 1862.
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Blackwood (original). [Railscot note: Blemish on print.] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/06/1953
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This was a set of sidings at Dunduff Quarry, a whinstone quarry. The layout changed as the quarry enlarged with new rock crushers and tramways being laid as required. The sidings were at the south end of the Dunduff Branch.
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Swinhill Branch

This junction was for initially for Swinhill Colliery. The junction probably opened with the line. Both the spellings Swinehill and Swinhill were used. The signal box used the spelling Swinehill.
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Crab 42737 at Swinhill on 29 March 1964 with Scottish Rambler no 3. At this time Swinhill was the terminus of the former route south to ...
John Robin 29/03/1964
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While little remains of the Swinhill Branch, the old miners institute still (barely) stands at Swinhill. (This building has since been demolished. It ...
Ewan Crawford //
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Little Gill Branch

North of Auchenheath station, and immediately south of the Nethan Viaduct, the Little Gill mineral branch left the railway to run north (passing Auchenheath Colliery) then east (passing Auchenheath New Pit) and finally south to reach Little Gill Colliery.
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