Bellgrove: View east from the station entrance at Bellgrove in February 2005, with trains for Airdrie and Balloch at the platforms.
John Furnevel 19/02/2005

Bellgrove

Location type

Station

Name and dates

Bellgrove (1871-)

Station code: BLG National Rail ScotRail
Where: Glasgow City, Scotland
Opened on the Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway).
Open on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Bathgate and Airdrie.
Open on the Glasgow to Cumbernauld via Duke Street.

Description

This is an island platform station. There was a slim station building at the east end of the station and a canopied at the west end, the slim building outlasting the sizeable canopy into the late 1980s. A shelter now adorns the platform. A heavy brick built retaining wall with recesses borders the north side of the site.

This was an important station as it was jointly owned by the Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) and the City of Glasgow Union Railway. From here trains departed to Springburn, Airdrie, College [1st] (Glasgow), Glasgow St Enoch and Shields Road [CGU], Govan and beyond.

Two goods lines were added on the north side when the line west to High Street Junction (through Bellgrove Independent Tunnel) and east to Bellgrove Junction was quadrupled. This allowed access to High Street Goods from Cowlairs West Junction without blocking Bellgrove Junction or Bellgrove station.

To the south of the station were cattle docks and pens to serve the Bellgrove Cattle Market which was to the west of the station. A further set were to the east of the station on the north side, approached from the Springburn line.

Bellgrove West signal box was at the west end of the island platform, west of Bellgrove Street.

Bellgrove East signal box was at Bellgrove Junction, the first version being on the north side of the junction itself. This was replaced in 1904 when the line was quadruples. The new box was in the 'V' of the junction and surrounded by lines thanks to the complications of the passenger and goods lines.

Bellgrove North signal box was at the start of the line to Springburn close to Whitevale Street. It controlled the approach to the cattle sidings alongside Reidvale Street, approach from the CGU line from the east. It was absorbed by Bellgrove East box when it was replaced in 1904.

Bellgrove West and Bellgrove East boxes were replaced with Bellgrove box in 1960, in readiness for electrification. This new box was on the south side of the junction.

Tags

Station

External links

Canmore site record
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map
NLS Map
NLS Map
09/11/2019




Chronology Dates

01/06/1871City of Glasgow Union Railway
The Glasgow and South Western Railway 'Bus trains' start running between Bellgrove and Shields Road [CGU].
16/08/1875City of Glasgow Union Railway
Bellgrove to Springburn opened for goods, Haghill Junction to Parkhead Junction opened.
01/01/1881City of Glasgow Union Railway
'Bus train' service to Shields Road extended from Bellgrove north to Alexandra Park.
29/06/1883City of Glasgow Union Railway
Glasgow St Enoch station and approach lines south of Bellgrove taken over by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. Lines north of Bellgrove taken over by the North British Railway.
  /07/1967Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
Bellgrove closed to cattle traffic. The Glasgow's Bellgrove Cattle Market was located by the station.
21/09/1980Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
Bellgrove station burnt down.
06/03/1989Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) City of Glasgow Union Railway
Crash at Bellgrove Junction when a train leaves Bellgrove station passing a red light (SPAD) and runs onto the single lead of the Springburn line striking a train leaving the branch. 2 were killed and 40 injured.
  /07/1989Yoker Re-signaling Scheme
Re-signaling complete. Boxes at Helensburgh Central, Craigendoran, Dumbarton Central, Dalmuir Park, Singer, Milngavie, Westerton, Hyndland, Clydebank Dock, High Street East Junction, Bellgrove, Parkhead, Shettleston, Heatheryknowe Junction, Sunnyside Junction, Airdrie replaced by the new Yoker Signalling Centre.

News items

01/11/2022ScotRail urges travellers to not use Glasgow Queen Street service amid travel chaos [Glasgow Times]
30/09/2022ScotRail say strikes will impact trains from Bellgrove ahead of Celtic vs Motherwell match [Glasgow Times]
17/02/2022Glasgow line closed after roof blows off building near Alexandra Parade station [Glasgow Live]
29/09/2021Vegetation damages overhead lines sparking commuter chaos on busy Glasgow train route [Evening Times]
29/09/2021Councillors hear of development progress at Glasgow's historic Meat Market site [Scottish Housing News]
26/05/2011City plans high speed rail hub for east end [Evening Times]
06/01/2003SPT timetable alterations [Railscot]
30/12/2002Last Blue Train (Photographs) [Railscot]