Irongray railway station
Irongray | |
|---|---|
 The site of Irongray railway station | |
| General information | |
| Location | Dunscore, Dumfries and Galloway Scotland |
| Grid reference | NX917803 |
| Other information | |
| Status | Disused |
| History | |
| Original company | Cairn Valley Light Railway |
| Pre-grouping | Glasgow and South Western Railway |
| Post-grouping | London, Midland and Scottish Railway |
| Key dates | |
| 1 March 1905 | Opened |
| 3 May 1943 | Closed to passengers |
| 4 July 1949 | Closed to freight |
Irongray was one of the principal stations on the Cairn Valley Light Railway branch, from Dumfries. It served a rural area in Dumfries and Galloway The line was closed to passengers during WW2.[1] Cairn Valley Junction lay to the east.
History[edit]
The CVR was nominally independent, but was in reality controlled by the Glasgow and South Western Railway.[2] The line was closed to passengers on 3 May 1943, during WW2[1] and to freight on 4 July 1949,[3] and the track lifted in 1953.
The station cost £212 to build in red brick with cream painted poster boards and chocolate-coloured framing. The extension over the front was covered with red tiles, as was the main roof. A booking office and waiting room was provided.[4] A station master's house was provided, designed by the company with a pyramid roof truncated by a central chimney stack.[4] The shelter had been demolished by 1949.[4] The stationmaster's house survives as a private dwelling.
An accident took place at Irongray in 1911 when a passenger train ran into a goods train that was sitting in the passing loop. No serious injuries were incurred.[5] After 1936 the passing loop was not necessary as the line was operated on a 'one engine in steam' principle; it was removed, however the signal box remained.[6] A level crossing with gates was nearby, interlocked with the signals so that trains could not enter the station unless the gates were closed against road traffic.[7] An electrical ground disc signal controlled the movement of trains from the siding onto the main line.[8]
Trains were controlled by a 'lock and block' system whereby the trains operated treadles on the single line to interact with the block instruments.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Notes
- Sources
- Awdry, Christopher (1990). Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0049-7. OCLC 19514063. CN 8983.
- Kirkpatrick, Ian (2000). The Cairn Valley Light Railway. Usk : The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-567-5.
- Sanders, Keith and Hodgins, Douglas (1995). British Railways. Past and Present South West Scotland. No. 19. ISBN 1-85895-074-0.
- Thomas, David St John & Whitehouse, Patrick (1993). The Romance of Scotlands Railways. Newton Abbot : David St John Thomas. ISBN 0-946537-89-5.
| Preceding station | Historical railways | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumfries | Glasgow and South Western Railway Cairn Valley Railway |
Newtonairds | ||