Portpatrick Railway

Introduction

This railway connected Castle Douglas with Stranraer and Portpatrick, connecting steamers continuing the journey for passengers to Northern Ireland. It is perhaps best thought of by its original name, the British and Irish Grand Junction Railway with terminii, arguably, in London, Belfast and Dublin. It came to be jointly owned by larger companies. Much of the route was in remote areas of low population and the line was single track with passing places. The bulk of the route closed in the 1960s. A section of this line between Challoch Junction and Stranraer remains open and is used by ScotRail to provide services between Glasgow Central, Ayr and Stranraer as well as Kilmarnock and Carlisle. The bulk of this line is now closed. The line was known by the abbreviations PR, PPR and PP&W. It is fondly remembered as 'The Port Road'.



Dates

  /  /1840Ayr and Dalmellington Railway
Originally promoted as the Ayrshire and Galloway Railway it was to run from Ayr to Dalmellington and on to Castle Douglas to join the British and Irish Grand Junction Railway, which later was opened as the Portpatrick Railway.
17/08/1857Portpatrick Railway
Act receives Royal assent for line from Castle Douglas to Stranraer Town with branches to Stranraer Harbour and Portpatrick.
  /  /1861Portpatrick Railway
Glenluce Viaduct completed.
11/03/1861Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer to Castle Douglas (on the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway) formally opened. (Alternative date 12/02/1861.)
12/03/1861Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer to Castle Douglas opened to the public. Most of the line was single track. Stations at; Stranraer, Glenluce, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Creetown, New Galloway, Parton and Crossmichael.
  /06/1861Portpatrick Railway
Loch Skerrow Halt opened.
01/07/1861Portpatrick Railway
Castle Kennedy, Dunragit and Palnure opened.
  /09/1861Portpatrick Railway
Dromore opened.
28/08/1862Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick to Stranraer opened. New stations at; Colfin and Portpatrick.
01/10/1862Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Harbour opened. The Stranraer and Larne Steamboat Company starts a service between the ports in its title.
  /  /1863Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer and Larne Steamboat Company services are suspended as too expensive.
01/07/1863Portpatrick Railway
Dromore re-named Gatehouse.
01/09/1863Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
The Caledonian Railway associated Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway is opened giving the company access to Dumfries. In response the Portpatrick Railway applies for running powers over the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway to Dumfries and the Caledonian Railway negotiates running the Portpatrick Railway, a blow to the Glasgow and South Western Railway which had considered the Portpatrick line to be within its territory.
  /  /1864Portpatrick Railway
Deviation to Stranraer Harbour branch authorised. Original route partly abandoned.
17/02/1864Kirkcudbright Railway
Opened from Castle Douglas (Portpatrick Railway and Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway) to Kirkcudbright.
17/02/1864Portpatrick Railway
Caledonian Railway takes over running of the Portpatrick Railway. The smaller company had eight engines and the larger company added some of its own engines.
30/10/1864Portpatrick Railway
Power given to own and operate steamboats.
30/10/1864Portpatrick Railway
Working agreement with Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1865Castle Douglas and Dumfries RailwayGlasgow and South Western Railway
Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway absorbed by Glasgow and South Western Railway. Running powers were granted to the Caledonian Railway giving access to the Portpatrick Railway.
  /  /1865Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway
Act receives Royal Assent for a line running from Girvan Junction (Maybole and Girvan Railway) to Challoch Junction (Portpatrick Railway).
  /  /1865Portpatrick Railway
Caledonian Railway experiments with a Stranraer Harbour to Belfast service.
  /  /1865Portpatrick Railway
Plant, rails, machinery taken over by the Caledonian Railway.
  /  /1865Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick Harbour - before the railway even opens, the harbour suffers storm damage.
01/06/1865Portpatrick Railway
Gatehouse re-named Dromore for Gatehouse.
01/09/1865Kirkcudbright Railway
Tarff for Gatehouse re-named Gatehouse [Tarff]. Presumably the Glasgow and South Western Railway (who now owned the Kirkcudbright Railway) was competing with the Caledonian Railway operated Portpatrick Railway for Gatehouse of Fleet traffic - for which neither of the two stations were convenient.
01/09/1866Portpatrick Railway
Dromore for Gatehouse re-named Gatehouse.
  /  /1868Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick to Donaghadee Boat starts running.
11/09/1868Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick Harbour station and branch opened.
  /11/1868Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick Harbour station and branch closed.
01/06/1871Portpatrick Railway
Gatehouse re-named Dromore.
  /  /1872Portpatrick Railway
Larne and Stranraer Steamboat Company commences running between the ports in its title. The Portpatrick Railway owned part of the company. The company operated a steamer Princess Louise.
  /  /1872Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway Portpatrick Railway
The Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway is authorised to use the Portpatrick Railway from Challoch Junction to Stranraer Harbour and Portpatrick.
  /  /1874Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick to Donaghadee boat stops running. This is in part due to the unsuitability of Portpatrick Harbour. The Stranraer Harbour to Larne Harbour [1st] service replaces the abandoned service. Portpatrick to Stranraer remains open.
03/04/1875Wigtownshire Railway
Opened from Newton Stewart (Portpatrick Railway) to Wigtown. (Alternative dates 03/05/1875, 02/08/1875.)
  /  /1876Portpatrick Railway
Larne and Stranraer Steamboat Company operates second steamer Princess Beatrice.
  /  /1877Portpatrick Railway
Purchases the Stranraer Harbour Pier (the East Pier).
05/10/1877Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway
Line opened from Girvan Junction (Maybole and Girvan Railway) to Challoch Junction (Portpatrick Railway). Railway worked by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. (Alternative date 01/10/1877.)
07/02/1882Girvan and Portpatrick Junction RailwayPortpatrick Railway
Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway trains banned from Stranraer and Portpatrick by the Portpatrick Railway. Line closed temporarily from Girvan to Challoch Junction.
01/08/1883Girvan and Portpatrick Junction RailwayPortpatrick Railway
Lifting of ban of Girvan line trains from the Portpatrick Railway.
  /  /1885Portpatrick Railway Wigtownshire Railway
The Caledonian Railway's lease expires - the Portpatrick Railway and Wigtownshire Railway become jointly run as the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway - controlled by the Caledonian Railway, London and North Western Railway, Glasgow and South Western Railway and Midland Railway. The stock was owned by all four companies and operated by the two Scottish companies. The Joint company also owned 4/5 of the Larne and Stranraer Steamship Joint Committee, the remaining 1/5 owned by the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway.
31/07/1885Portpatrick Railway
Working agreement with the Caledonian Railway comes to an end.
01/08/1886Portpatrick and Wigtonshire Joint Railway
The Portpatrick Railway and Wigtownshire Railway comes under management of the joint committee.
  /  /1890Portpatrick Railway
Tablets introduced on the line. The company went on to employ Mansons tablet-catcher to allow exchanges at speeds up to 76mph.
  /  /1893Portpatrick Railway
Authorisation to enlarge Stranraer Harbour Pier (the East Pier).
  /  /1895Portpatrick Railway
A wooden engine shed is opened at Newton Stewart in the V of the junction.
  /02/1895Portpatrick Railway
During a period of very heavy snowfall a train is held up at Creetown for 3 days.
  /  /1902Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Harbour east pier widening and extension authorised. Powers to dredge for the pier granted.
  /  /1905Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick Shed out of use.
01/01/1912Portpatrick Railway
Dromore re-named Gatehouse of Fleet.
  /  /1919Portpatrick Railway
Mansons tablet-catchers removed.
  /  /1921Portpatrick Railway
A new large brick engine shed, Newton Stewart Shed [2nd] is opened at Newton Stewart in the V of the junction, replacing the wooden structure.
  /  /1934Portpatrick Railway Carrickfergus and Larne Railway
Further consideration of the tunnel from Portpatrick, Scotland, to Whitehead, Northern Ireland.
  /  /1935Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Shed numbered 12H under Carlisle Kingmoor Shed.
  /  /1935Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer to Portpatrick starts to be operated as one engine in steam. Portpatrick signal box is moved to Barrhill on the former Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway.
  /  /1939Portpatrick Railway
Dunragit to Castle Kennedy doubled.
  /  /1939Portpatrick Railway
Brysons tablet-catcher installed. Only allows 50mph running (Manson's tablet had allowed faster running), but is portable.
01/01/1939Portpatrick Railway
Challoch Junction signal box replaced with motorpoints operated from Dunragit.
11/10/1942Portpatrick Railway
Cairnryan Junction signalbox for the Cairnryan Military Railway opened.
  /  /1948Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Shed classed 68C. The sheds were rebuilt with girder joists instead of arches for entries.
05/12/1949Portpatrick Railway
Gatehouse of Fleet closed to passengers.
06/02/1950Portpatrick Railway
Portpatrick to Stranraer closed to passengers. Portpatrick and Colfin stations closed. Portpatrick to Colfin (excluded) closed to all traffic.
20/05/1950Portpatrick Railway
Gatehouse of Fleet re-opened to passengers.
07/05/1951Portpatrick Railway
Palnure closed.
02/03/1953Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer re-named Stranraer Town.
13/06/1955Portpatrick Railway
Loch Skerrow Halt re-named Lochskerrow.
  /  /1959Portpatrick Railway
Newton Stewart Shed closed
  /  /1959Portpatrick Railway
DMUs introduced on Stranraer to Glasgow workings.
01/04/1959Portpatrick Railway
Colfin to Stranraer Town (excluded) closed to freight.
  /  /1962Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Shed classed 67F under Glasgow Corkerhill Shed.
  /  /1962Portpatrick Railway
Cairnryan Military Railway and Cairnryan Junction signal box closed.
09/09/1963Portpatrick Railway
Lochskerrow closed to passengers.
  /  /1964Portpatrick Railway
Newton Stewart Shed closed and track lifted on closure of the Wigtownshire Railway.
  /  /1965Portpatrick Railway
Troop trains run over line (Stranraer Harbour - Woodburn (Wansbeck Railway)) for Northern Ireland.
12/06/1965Portpatrick Railway
Last passenger train on Port Road; the overnight Paddy to London. (A Saturday.)
14/06/1965Ayr and Mauchline Line (Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway
Maybole and Girvan Railway
Annbank (Annbank Junction) to Mauchline re-opened to passengers (with the closure of the Port Road the trains are diverted). The number of trains between Challoch Junction, Girvan and Ayr increases after closure of the Portpatrick Railway.
14/06/1965Portpatrick Railway Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
Challoch Junction (excluded) to Dumfries (excluded) closed to passengers. Glenluce, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Creetown, Gatehouse of Fleet, New Galloway, Parton and Crossmichael closed. Challoch Junction to Maxwelltown Factory Siding (excluded) closed to all traffic. On the surviving part of the line Castle Kennedy and Dunragit stations closed.
07/03/1966Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Town to Stranraer Harbour Junction closed to passengers. Stranraer Town station closed and given over to goods.
  /10/1966Portpatrick Railway
Stranraer Shed closed.
  /  /1967Portpatrick Railway
Track lifting begins between Challoch Junction and Maxwelltown Factory Siding.
  /  /1968Portpatrick Railway
Track lifting complete.
  /  /1987Portpatrick Railway
SEALINK liveried stock withdrawn and broken up at the Springburn works (St Rollox Works), replaced with other stock.
03/10/1988Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway Portpatrick Railway
Class 156 Sprinters introduced.
  /  /1990Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway Portpatrick Railway Maybole and Girvan Railway
Stranraer to Euston sleeper withdrawn.
13/03/2000Portpatrick Railway Sea Containers
The Seacat fast ferry service to Belfast is relocated from Stranraer Pier to Troon.
  /  /2005Portpatrick Railway
Disused Goldielea Viaduct restored (repairs hoped to last for 50 years).
  /11/2011Portpatrick Railway Stena Line
Stena Line ceased operating ferries to Stranraer Pier, running instead to Old House Point, north of Cairnryan. This slightly reduced the journey but took the ferry service away from the railway, passengers now needing to use a connecting bus service.

Locations along the line

These locations are along the line.

This was a two platform station in the north of Castle Douglas.
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See also
Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
Kirkcudbright Railway
Time for a blether with the crew of Standard tank 80117, before it sets off from Castle Douglas with a Dumfries to Kirkcudbright service. ...
Brian Haslehust 24/04/1965
A Standard 2-6-4 tank waits at Castle Douglas with a service for Kirkcudbright in June 1964. ...
Brian Haslehust 22/06/1964
Standard 2-6-4T 80117 at Castle Douglas with a Dumfries to Kirkcudbright service in April 1965. ...
Brian Haslehust 24/04/1965
Looking west over the former junction between the Portpatrick Railway and the Kirkcudbright Railway. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 31 images. more


This was a two platform station with a loop. The River Dee was to the west and village of Crossmichael to the east. The main station building was on the south bound platform. The platforms were at the south end of the loop.
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Looking west at the former Crossmichael station. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Platform view at Crossmichael station in February 1970, looking west towards Stranraer. ...
John Furnevel 08/02/1970
2 of 2 images.


This was a single platform station with the platform on the north side of the line. There was a goods yard to the east on the north side, approached from the east. There was a water tank at the east end of the platform.
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Parton station, viewed from a passing eastbound service, not long before the June 1965 closure of the 'Port Road'. ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
The closed station at Parton (1861-1965) between Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart on the Port Road. Photographed from the A713 in November 2005. [Ref ...
John Furnevel 12/11/2005
The former Parton station, Dumfries & Galloway, looking east - November 2005. ...
John Furnevel 12/11/2005
Looking east at the closed Parton station from the roadside. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 4 images.


This was a two platform station with a passing loop on the single track Port Road. New Galloway itself is quite some distance away, just under 5 miles to the north. The former station was located in the small village of Mossdale, by which name it is also, informally, known.
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The former New Galloway station on the Port Road looking east towards Dumfries from the A762 road bridge on 30 May 2007. The station was situated some ...
John Furnevel 30/05/2007
Cross platform view of New Galloway station, photographed looking north in May 2007. The station was located in the hamlet of Mossdale, some 5 miles ...
John Furnevel 30/05/2007
View east along the trackbed of the Port Road in 2010. Beyond the bridge stood the former station of New Galloway, which is located in the hamlet of ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
The former New Galloway station on 12 May 2010 looking west along the down platform towards Lochskerrow. In the background the trackbed passes below ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
4 of 22 images. more


This is a disused single track four arch masonry viaduct. Each arch is 50ft long. The overall length is 219 ft and height 37 ft.
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Scene a mile west of New Galloway on the former Port Road heading for Stranraer in May 2010. Photograph taken standing alongside Loch Stroan, with ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
Standing alongside the Stroan Viaduct on 12 May 2010, with the expanse of Loch Stroan itself off to the right. View is west along the Port Road ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
The Stroan Viaduct on the Port Road between New Galloway and Loch Skerrow in May 2010. The line closed in 1965 and the route now forms part of a long ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
Looking west along the trackbed of the Port Road towards Stranraer over the Stroan Viaduct on 12 May 2010. See image 28983 [Ref query 3760] ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
4 of 8 images. more


This was a halt at a remote location alongside Loch Skerrow. There was a passing loop, two short platforms, a siding, water tank, signal box and railwaymen's cottages. Due to the exposed location there were lengths of sleeper fencing and trees planted as a wind break.
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Remains of the 'new' cottage at Loch Skerrow. These extra railwaymen's cottages were added in 1906. The wooden doors and window frames were painted ...
Ewan Crawford 21/05/2003
Tablets being exchanged at Loch Skerrow, seen from a Dumfries to Stranraer service hauled by Black 5 44677 (fitted with a self-weighing tender). ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
Extract from the Scottish Region timetable for winter 1960-61 showing the Port Road and Kirkcudbright branch. Not much of a service, was it? The 'q' ...
David Panton 12/09/1960
View west at Loch Skerrow in 2003. In the distant right is the eastbound platform and the remains of the watertank supports. Above and to the left is ...
Ewan Crawford 21/05/2003
4 of 14 images. more


This was a grey granite nine arch single track viaduct between the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct and the former Loch Skerrow station. The overall length of the viaduct was 359 ft and 51 ft over the Little Water of Fleet. Also known as the 'Wee Fleet Viaduct'.
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Scottish Rambler no 2, westbound through remotest Kirkcudbrightshire on 15 April 1963 between Loch Skerrow and Gatehouse of Fleet. The special ...
John Robin 15/04/1963
Site of the Little Water of Fleet Viaduct looking east to Loch Skerrow. ...
Ewan Crawford 11/05/2003
Wee Fleet viaduct from the west after closure of the line. ...
John Robin 14/08/1980
Shortly after leaving Gatehouse of Fleet station, heading east on The Port Road, the railway crossed a brace of viaducts spanning the two main ...
Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //
4 of 4 images.


This is a disused large granite single track viaduct 900ft long and 70 ft high with 20 arches.
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The impressive twenty arch Big Water of Fleet Viaduct looking south in May 2012. ...
John Gray /05/2012
The Big Water of Fleet Viaduct in the evening sun on 9 April 2010. The original granite piers were reinforced with brick outer casings and the arches ...
John Gray 09/04/2010
Looking east over the valley of the Big Water of Fleet and the viaduct that once carried the Port Road between Dumfries and Stranraer, as well as ...
John Furnevel 12/11/2005
The viaduct over the valley of the Big Water of Fleet seen 40 years after closure of the 'Port Road' between Dumfries and Stranraer. Photographed in ...
John Furnevel 12/11/2005
4 of 12 images. more


This was a two platform station with a loop on the single track Port Road line from Dumfries to Stranraer. It was the summit of the Portpatrick Railway at 495 ft.
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Tablet exchange at Gatehouse of Fleet in June 1965, seen from a Dumfries to Stranraer service hauled by Black 5 44677. ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
On a westbound service from Dumfries to Stranraer in June 1965, the driver of Black 5 44677 prepares to exchange tablets with the signalman at ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
The old station at Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire (closed 1965), on a spring afternoon in 2010. View is west towards Stranraer. [Ref query 17 ...
John Furnevel 12/05/2010
The former station at Gatehouse of Fleet, seen from the south on 11 November 2005. Opened in 1861 (originally as Dromore) and closed in June 1965, it ...
John Furnevel 11/11/2005
4 of 12 images. more


This was a single track four arch viaduct.
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This was a two platform station with the main station building on the westbound platform. The station building had an interesting attractive rubble construction style. The station had a loop on the single track line. The platforms were at the western end of the loop. The station was just under a mile north of Creetown itself.
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Creetown station, seen from a Dumfries
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Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
Tablet exchange at Creetown, seen from a June 1965 Dumfries to Stranraer service hauled by Black 5 44677 (at that time fitted with a self-weighing ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
'Jumbo' 0-6-0 57362 tackles the 1 in 80 gradient out of Creetown on 16 July 1956 at the head of a Newton Stewart - Castle Douglas freight. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956
Compound 40920 arrives at Creetown on 16 July 1956 with a Stranraer - Dumfries train. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956
4 of 7 images. more


This is a disused single track 8 arch viaduct built in sandstone. The viaduct crosses over the Graddoch Burn.
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This was a two platform station with the main station building on the eastbound platform and a goods yard on the north side, approached from the west. There is no town at Palnure.
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Palnure from the roadside ...
Ewan Crawford //
Looking south at the closed Palnure station from the roadside. ...
Ewan Crawford //
2 of 2 images.


This was a five span single track viaduct over the River Cree. The bridge was unusual in having timber piers right up to the time of closure.
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This short farm siding was just west of the Cree Viaduct. It was approached from the east and was on the south side of the line.
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This was an important junction station on the Portpatrick Railway, to the south west of the town of Newton Stewart itself.
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See also
Wigtownshire Railway
View from a Dumfries to Stranraer service arriving at Newton Stewart in June 1965. The pleasant appearance of the station belies the fact that it was ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
The locomotive shed at Newton Stewart, looking to the former junction ...
Ewan Crawford 17/10/2004
Newton Stewart goods shed, looking east. ...
Ewan Crawford 17/10/2004
40623+45432 photographed shortly after leaving Newton Stewart on 16 July 1956 with a train for Dumfries. [Ref query 1660] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1956
4 of 24 images. more




This was a single track bowstring girder bridge of one span. It crossed the upper River Bladnoch.
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This was a two platform with a loop on a single track line. The main station building was on the eastbound platform. Opposite was a wooden waiting shelter on the westbound platform. The station was about a quarter of a mile west of Kirkcowan itself.
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The old station master's house at Kirkcowan, some 6 miles west of Newton Stewart on the former Port Road to Stranraer, photographed looking north east ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
Tablet exchange duly complete at Kirkcowan, seen from a passing Dumfries to Stranraer service in June 1965. ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
Entrance to the old goods yard at Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire, on 31 May 2007. View is west in the general direction of Stranraer, with the surviving ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
The old station house at Kikcowan looking north from the old trackbed (now the B733 road) on 31 May 2007. The road once crossed the station site on a ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
4 of 6 images. more


This is a two arch viaduct over the Tarf Water on the closed single track line.
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This two platform station was in the north of Glenluce, about a mile east of the GlenLuce Viaduct (or Luce Viaduct). There was a goods yard on the south side, approached from the west. The station was on a loop, the line being single track. The main station building was on the westbound platform.
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Tablet exchange being prepared for, as Black 5 44677 passes Glenluce westbound. The photograph was taken in early June 1965, not long before the ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
Looking north at the Glenluce Viaduct. ...
Ewan Crawford //
The old station site at Glenluce, as seen from the overbridge, on a very wet morning in May 2011. This view looks west towards Challoch Junction where ...
Mark Bartlett 23/05/2011
Looking west over the former Glenluce station. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 5 images. more


This is a disused masonry single track eight arch stone viaduct. It is west of the former Glenluce station and west of the former Challoch Junction. The viaduct is 327 ft long overall and 78 ft high.
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The old railway viaduct to the west of the Wigtownshire village of Glenluce, between Newton Stewart and Stranraer, seen from the north in the spring ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
Looking north along the old military road towards Glenluce Viaduct in the spring of 2007. ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
A panorama photograph showing the Glenluce Viaduct, formerly part of the Dumfries to Stranraer Port Road, until closure in 1965. View is south ...
John Gray 30/04/2014
Two bridges in retirement in May 2011. In the foreground is the old A75 road bridge, which since the Glenluce bypass was completed has only carried a ...
Mark Bartlett 23/05/2011
4 of 5 images. more


View west at Challoch Junction in 1997. The line from Dumfries was to the left and the line from Ayr is in the foreground. The junction was in the ...
Ewan Crawford //1997
View from the rear of a Stranraer-bound Swindon-built DMU approaching Challoch Junction in 1962. The 'Port Road' to Dumfries (closed 1965) is on the ...
R Sillitto/A Renfrew Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) //1962
Challoch Junction looking east. The line from Girvan is in the foreground and the closed line from Dumfries is further away running parallel. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Challoch Junction looking west. The line from Dumfries (closed) is on the left and the line from Girvan (open) is on the right. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 4 images.


This halt was located west of Challoch Junction. It opened with the Glenluce course - the Wigtownshire Country Golf Club.
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This siding was east of Dunragit station.
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This was a two platform station. a loop and signal box ('B' listed) remain here and the station building still stands, complete with short section of platform. This had a canopy on its extension to the west, now removed.
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A night view of Dunragit box and level crossing in 1993. ...
Ewan Crawford //1993
View of Dunragit in August 1964, taken from the front of a DMU bound for Stranraer. ...
Brian Haslehust 28/08/1964
View from a Dumfries to Stranraer service approaching Dunragit in June 1965. The locomotive is self-weighing tender-fitted Black 5 44677. Sister ...
Brian Haslehust 05/06/1965
Approaching the level crossing at Dunragit from the north in the spring of 2007. The former station, six miles east of Stranraer Harbour, closed to ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
4 of 16 images. more






This was a two platform station with a loop on the single track line. The main station building was on the eastbound platform.
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View looking west at Castle Kennedy's goods yard in 1997. The passenger station was behind the camera. The depot buildings shown here were probably ...
Ewan Crawford 26/04/1997
Road approach to Castle Kennedy station in May 2007. Located some 3 miles east of Stranraer, passenger trains stopped calling here in June 1965. The ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
Entrance to the former Castle Kennedy station - May 2007. ...
John Furnevel 31/05/2007
Castle Kennedy looking east towards the station from the level crossing. The station building, the eastbound platform and a dock are seen. ...
Ewan Crawford 26/04/1997
4 of 7 images. more


This junction opened with the Cairnryan railway (Military Port No 2) in 1942. A second hand Caledonian Railway signal box was used, placed on the south side of the line where the sidings were on the north side, approached from the east.
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Cairnryan Military Railway
The overgrown Cairnryan Junction looking west. ...
Ewan Crawford //
1 of 1 images.


This site had been carriage sidings, then a freight depot. It is no longer in railway use.
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Lost Railfreight. 08687 shunting steel sections wagons at the Stockton Haulage depot, Stranraer, in 1989. Today the Stranraer line carries no ...
Ewan Crawford //1989
08675 shunting flatbeds carrying steel sections at Stockton Haulage, Stranraer, in 1989. ...
Ewan Crawford //1989
2 of 2 images.


This junction is east of Stranraer Town station, it is where the Stranraer Harbour line leaves the former route to Portpatrick. Today this is where the harbour line divides from the disused Stranraer Town sidings. A ground frame controls the junction.
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Plenty going on around Stranraer engine shed in August 1964. Steam on the shed itself and a Hunslet 0-6-0DM shunting the yard. The view looks to have ...
Brian Haslehust 28/08/1964
The view east towards Castle Kennedy from the small overbridge near Stranraer Town as 156449 heads for the port. The building on the right was ...
Mark Bartlett 23/05/2011
156449 is on the last part of its journey to the Harbour station at Stanraer and just about to swing into the shallow cutting that leads down to the ...
Mark Bartlett 23/05/2011
Only a short distance for 156449 to go before reaching Stranraer Harbour as it passes over the disused connection to the Stranraer Town freight ...
Mark Bartlett 23/05/2011
4 of 5 images. more


This shed was located north of Stranraer Town station in the 'V' of the junction between the lines to Portpatrick and Stranraer Harbour and north of the good yard just north of the station.
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1988 view, looking across the goods yard to the former running shed at Stranraer MPD.
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Bill Roberton //1988
The array of buildings constituting the former Stranraer Shed as seen in 1989 from the south during an escorted visit to the former Stranraer Town ...
Ewan Crawford //1989
The engine shed at Stranraer, viewed from a diesel unit approaching Stranraer Town station in June 1964. ...
Brian Haslehust 22/06/1964
Strangers outside Stranraer's repair shop in April 1963. HR 'Jones Goods' no 103 and GNSR no 49 Gordon Highlander stand ready to take over the ...
John Robin 15/04/1963
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This was a four platform station. Two of the platforms were the main through platforms on either side of a loop which ran from the west end of the station to Stranraer Harbour Junction. The other two platforms were single track bays at either end of the up platform, this was the northern of the through platforms on the town side.
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Stranraer goods yard and shed, with stabled coaching stock, in 1988.. ...
Bill Roberton //1988
Stranraer Town in June 1964, viewed from the front of a diesel unit arriving at the station. ...
Brian Haslehust 22/06/1964
This was the main goods shed (and later tamper shed) at Stranraer Town, looking towards the station in 2006 See image 59353. ...
Colin Miller 27/03/2006
Stranraer Town station, closed to passengers on 7 March 1966, looking west towards Portpatrick in 1988. The sleeper train is stabled on the right on ...
Bill Roberton //1988
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This station is located on the former ferry pier in Stranraer. It is a little remote from the town, being separated from it by the former car parks associated with the ferries to Ireland.
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Passengers load their wheel-less (sigh) luggage onto a Stena Line trolley at Stranraer in October 1997. Stranraer is no longer a ferry port but, ...
David Panton 10/10/1997
A stern view of Stena Voyager as it reverses into Stranraer Harbour in August 2010. ...
Colin McDonald 09/08/2010
A memento of the former station name at Stranraer Harbour. ...
John Yellowlees 14/12/2016
A long way for a P please Bob. The 11.29 Ayr to 12.50 Stranraer has arrived and the new driver is inspecting the train for damage, dents and scratches ...
Gordon Steel 01/09/2022
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This was a 13 arch viaduct. The arches were in brick on masonry piers. Also known as Lochans Viaduct.
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This was a single platform station with the platform on the north side of the single track line, just east of a level crossing. A siding, approached from the west, was to the south. This goods yard siding had a loop and cattle pen at the east end. The station building was at the west end.
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Colfin looking roughly towards Portpatrick. ...
Ewan Crawford //
When Portpatrick station closed to passengers and goods in 1950 the branch was cut back to the intermediate station of Colfin where goods services ...
Mark Bartlett 22/05/2011
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This station was the terminus of the line, although until 1868/1870, by reversal at the north end of the station, a train could continue on to Portpatrick Harbour station.
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Portpatrick station building and platform in 1988. View looking south. The line from Stranraer approached from the left and the line down to ...
Bill Roberton //1988
Trackbed level view through the Portpatrick headland cutting looking, at this point, south south east. From the station the line climbed steeply and ...
Mark Bartlett 27/05/2011
The grey house in the foreground sat at the buffers end of Portpatrick station platform although the station buildings themselves, which were behind ...
Mark Bartlett 27/05/2011
Sadly Portpatrick station site was cleared and prepared for housing in the 1980s. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 6 images. more


The harbour station was reached by reversal at Portpatrick - the line extended beyond the platform there to a reversing spur and the branch dropped down to the harbour.
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Although the short lived 1:35 branch from Portpatrick station to the Harbour was closed as early as 1868, a section of embankment and two bridge ...
Mark Bartlett 22/05/2011
Portpatrick Harbour was an early casualty being approached from a difficult incline reached by a reversal and being an inappropriate location for a ...
Ewan Crawford //
2 of 2 images.