Dalreoch

Location type

Station

Name and dates

Dalreoch (1850-)

Station code: DLR National Rail ScotRail
Where: West Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Opened on the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway.
Open on the Glasgow to Helensburgh.

Description

Dalreoch is a two platform station with the junction between the Balloch branch and the Helensburgh line immediately to its west. The station has two car parks and a staffed station building. To the east is the Leven Viaduct [Dumbarton] and Dumbarton Central.

The line to Helensburgh Central passes through twin Dalreoch Tunnels just west of the junction.

Of the two car parks, one is at a high level alongside the station and another at a lower level to the east by the River Leven.

The original platforms were very different - the station was built at the junction.

A very short platform was on the south side of the double line, immediately east of the junction. This corresponds to the west end of the present down platform. This served both the Balloch and Helensburgh routes. A two story station building was on the platform, a later addition around the time an eastbound platform was built opposite with a typical NBR style building.

Originally, the Helensburgh line was single track, striking off as a double line before dropping to a single line passing through the the older bore of the two Dalreoch Tunnels.

There was a platform on the east side of the double track Balloch line. A line ran down the east side of this island platform - possibly goods only as it served, by a turnplate, the Dennystown Forge. The works were served by more conventional sidings at a later date.

There was a goods yard, approached from the west on the south side of the line to the west of the junction. This is now the western part of the high level car park.

Today Dalreoch and Dumbarton Central seem almost absurdly close together (although Dalreoch has a carpark, central does not). When opened the distance between the stations by road was not inconsiderable via the Dumbarton Old Bridge. This would have been a toll bridge.

Tags

Station Junction

External links

Canmore site record
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map




Chronology Dates

30/12/1907Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway (Caledonian Railway, Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway and North British Railway Joint)
Agreement to lift the toll to the North British Railway at Dalreoch from 15/05/1911.

News items

27/09/2023Helensburgh train disruptions planned for this weekend [Helensburgh Advertiser]
11/03/2022ScotRail Dumbarton-Balloch trains cancelled for 'urgent track repairs' [Dumbarton Reporter]
28/02/2022ScotRail push ahead with cuts to ticket office opening times in West Dunbartonshire [Daily Record]
05/01/2022Ross Greer: 'Urgent action' needed to protect Helensburgh railway line from flooding [Helensburgh Advertiser]
09/08/2021Dumbarton, Vale and Balloch projects on transport shopping list [Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter]
07/06/2021Plans pulled for Dalreoch station car park that united residents in opposition [Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter]
05/03/2021Worried resident's warning over crumbling Dalreoch steps prompts council action [Daily Record]
01/10/2017Passengers stuck as ScotRail skips stations [Sunday Times]
18/01/2008Landslip closes busy railway line [BBC News]

Books


The Vanished Railways of Old Western Dunbartonshire (Britains Railways/Old Photos)