AlistairCowell
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- Joined
- 10 Jan 2018
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- 280
It is hard to believe that tomorrow marks 40 years to the day that the Argyle Line opened to passenger traffic, and thus links the electrified North Clyde Line with the rest of Glasgow electrified lines south of the Clyde (and beyond) for the first time.
The Argyle Line had been part of Glasgow Central Railway which opened in 1886 and was part of the Caledonian Railway. It had been closed under the Beeching Axe in October 1964.
Lanark to Glasgow Central, and Hamilton Circle services via Hamilton Central, Motherwell and Bellshill were extended to Dalmuir and Milngavie on the North Clyde Line, via the newly opened Glasgow Central Low Level station which formed the 'Argyle Line'.
As part of the Argyle Line project, an additional platform at Dalmuir (Platform 5) was constructed. Rutherglen platforms were relocated, while Bridgeton Central station was closed and moved to the former Caledonian Railway site.
Only two entirely new stations were opened: Argyle Street and Finnieston (renamed to Exhibition Centre in 1986 to serve the newly opened SECC, now Scottish Event Campus).
Partick Hill and Glasgow Subway's Merkland Street stations were relocated to the new Partick Interchange Station which opened a month later.
To coincide with the opening of the Argyle Line, 16 Class 314 units were introduced for the new service, as well as a number of the older Class 303 "Blue Train" sets.
The opening of the Argyle Line, together with the modernised Glasgow Subway which opened five months later, allowed Greater Glasgow PTE to be renamed TransClyde (now SPT).
The Argyle Line services have been extended a number of times since 1979: to Coatbridge Central in the 1980s, to Larkhall in December 2005, and to Cumbernauld and Whifflet in December 2014, during this point trains from Lanark were diverted to Glasgow Central High Level.
The Argyle Line only had one major closure during its 40 year career: In December 1994, the Argyle Line was flooded as a result of River Kelvin bursting its banks in torrential rain, drowning units 314208 and 314212, and the line was closed for repairs for nine months. During this time Argyle Line services were diverted via Glasgow Queen Street Low Level and Coatbridge Spur.
Forty years on, Class 318 and 320 units now operate the Argyle Line services, as well as the occasional Class 334 appearing. Lanark to Glasgow Central High Level are now in the hands of Class 385 units.
But as for the Class 314 units, which 40 years ago just entered service on the North Clyde Line and (then new) Argyle Line, they will be withdrawn soon, with 7 units already being scrapped.
Happy 40th Anniversary to the Argyle Line!
The Argyle Line had been part of Glasgow Central Railway which opened in 1886 and was part of the Caledonian Railway. It had been closed under the Beeching Axe in October 1964.
Lanark to Glasgow Central, and Hamilton Circle services via Hamilton Central, Motherwell and Bellshill were extended to Dalmuir and Milngavie on the North Clyde Line, via the newly opened Glasgow Central Low Level station which formed the 'Argyle Line'.
As part of the Argyle Line project, an additional platform at Dalmuir (Platform 5) was constructed. Rutherglen platforms were relocated, while Bridgeton Central station was closed and moved to the former Caledonian Railway site.
Only two entirely new stations were opened: Argyle Street and Finnieston (renamed to Exhibition Centre in 1986 to serve the newly opened SECC, now Scottish Event Campus).
Partick Hill and Glasgow Subway's Merkland Street stations were relocated to the new Partick Interchange Station which opened a month later.
To coincide with the opening of the Argyle Line, 16 Class 314 units were introduced for the new service, as well as a number of the older Class 303 "Blue Train" sets.
The opening of the Argyle Line, together with the modernised Glasgow Subway which opened five months later, allowed Greater Glasgow PTE to be renamed TransClyde (now SPT).
The Argyle Line services have been extended a number of times since 1979: to Coatbridge Central in the 1980s, to Larkhall in December 2005, and to Cumbernauld and Whifflet in December 2014, during this point trains from Lanark were diverted to Glasgow Central High Level.
The Argyle Line only had one major closure during its 40 year career: In December 1994, the Argyle Line was flooded as a result of River Kelvin bursting its banks in torrential rain, drowning units 314208 and 314212, and the line was closed for repairs for nine months. During this time Argyle Line services were diverted via Glasgow Queen Street Low Level and Coatbridge Spur.
Forty years on, Class 318 and 320 units now operate the Argyle Line services, as well as the occasional Class 334 appearing. Lanark to Glasgow Central High Level are now in the hands of Class 385 units.
But as for the Class 314 units, which 40 years ago just entered service on the North Clyde Line and (then new) Argyle Line, they will be withdrawn soon, with 7 units already being scrapped.
Happy 40th Anniversary to the Argyle Line!
