Cathcart Station - thoughts on platform on Newton Branch

[numtot12345]

I've always wondered about having platforms at cathcart on the Newton branch.

Pre covid, there is probably not much use for it, as it would really only be useful for people going between Newton to/from Cathcart, or Neilston, without having to change at say, langside or mount florida.

However this is of particular interest given the decimation of services at cathcart to 2tph on the Neilston line, and very little in way of Cathcart Circle services.

Not that the current Newton via maxwell Park would add a great deal of frequency, it still offers another option (also noted Langside isn't really that far a walk away either...).

Have platforms there ever been considered? How would such a service look? To what extent would it be feasible to put platforms in there? I could maybe see it operating like another mount florida so to speak. What big ideas do you have that could be done to cathcart?

This is completely speculative of course, so would be great to hear thoughts on the above?

 

[Peter0124]

Would be a good idea in practice, as the current Sunday service has the Newton only run via Maxwell Park, so the only way to change for Neilston branch is at Glasgow Central.

However it would probably cost a lot.

 

[drb61]

If the Cathcart West to Cathcart East spur was singled (given that it only carries 1tph each way at non-conflicting times) that would create more space to put in a single platform for the Newton services. However AIUI, the entire station would then have to be made fully accessible with lifts or ramps from street level to each platform.

Another possible approach might be to re-site the station on the opposite side of the junction with 4 platforms and level access to the Neilston-bound platform from Monreith Road East and a footbridge / lifts to the other platforms. Sounds a bit more straightforward than modifying the existing station to make it fully accessible.

Downside is that the journey time to Newton via Maxwell Park would be further protracted with the additional stop at Cathcart (Langside to Kings Park is already a painfully slow crawl with a regular signal check due to the conflicting move at Cathcart East junction). Personally I'd like to see the Cathcart / Neilston / Newton timetable completely recast with 2 circle trains per hour in each direction (timed to give Langside and Pollokshaws East a roughly 15 minutely service to GLC) and all Newton services running via Mount Florida.

 

[numtot12345]

Thank you for your replies and apologies for not getting back to this.

That is an interesting idea to move the station to the south side of the bridge. It looks very constrained on that side though could see how some good innovative design could be incorporated. Not sure how local residents would react to it however.

Another point - as a pedestrian, the B762 Clarkston Road is what I'd suggest as quite 'severing'/causing severance. If you know that bit, groups of people coming off the train stand on that little bit of paving in the middle of the carriageway (which is usually busy in both directions) opposite Barry's Convenience Store where there is that little gap in railing. Whilst it's the pedestrians' decision to do that, I can't help but feel it's dangerous therefore wonder if there is scope for that intersection to be improved. Such an improvement could be done in conjunction with an upgrade to the station I'm suggesting as per the title of this thread.

And another point - there is new flats/housing being built in the area over the coming years up on Newlands Road (inside corner of Newlands Road and Tankerland Road West; and at the west side of the Celeros Factory as well). Again, can't help but feel given these developments I am hopeful in future years that rail services at Cathcart are further bolstered to support sustainable travel in this area.

 

[Falcon1200]

An interesting idea, but I can't see how the traffic potential would ever justify the cost of either an additional platform or resiting the whole station. But the Cathcart Circle all-day service should certainly be restored ASAP, IMHO that would provide sufficient capacity at Cathcart for all traffic needs, present and future.

(For 3 years I lived in Holmlea Road, Cathcart, within walking distance of both Cathcart and Mount Florida stations, and at a pinch if there was no alternative, Langside and Kings Park too!)

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding platforms on the Newton arm, could this easily be done if Glasgow was to bring back trams with the Newton/Neilston lines converted (and deviating from the alignment somewhere near Eglinton Toll running on street to Central and Queen Street stations)?

The electrification for these lines date back to 1960 when it was installed, and the design life for electrification is normally 60 years i.e. meaning that it is due to be replaced in the near future. Ardwick (Manchester) - Hadfield and Glossop and London Liverpool Street - Shenfield were done in 1949 (1500V) which got converted to 25kV AC in the 1970s/80s and recently totally replaced (with some of the 1949 portals remaining in situ).

 

[numtot12345]

Regarding platforms on the Newton arm, could this easily be done if Glasgow was to bring back trams with the Newton/Neilston lines converted (and deviating from the alignment somewhere near Eglinton Toll running on street to Central and Queen Street stations)?

The electrification for these lines date back to 1960 when it was installed, and the design life for electrification is normally 60 years i.e. meaning that it is due to be replaced in the near future. Ardwick (Manchester) - Hadfield and Glossop and London Liverpool Street - Shenfield were done in 1949 (1500V) which got converted to 25kV AC in the 1970s/80s and recently totally replaced (with some of the 1949 portals remaining in situ).

From an engineering perspective, I've no idea, however isn't this the plan with Clyde Metro?