Glasgow City and District Railway

Introduction

This line is open. This line was built to connect together lines in the west and the east of Glasgow and serve central Glasgow with new stations. The line runs mostly in tunnels built using the cut and cover method of construction. It provided an alternative route for North British Railway trains which were mostly used the Queen Street station High Level terminus until this line opened; leading to capacity problems. The line is electrified. The name was the City and District Railway, with the prefix 'Glasgow' added to indicate the city.

Why built

With increasing traffic to Glasgow from the west Glasgow Queen Street High Level was increasingly becoming an unsuitable terminus due to the difficulties of operating the Cowlairs Incline and the low capacity of the terminus. A new terminus in the west of the city centre was proposed and the plan revised several times before the new cross-city underground line was settled on.




Dates

28/08/1863Glasgow and Milngavie Junction Railway
Line opened as a single track. Stations at; Bearsden, Milngavie. The line ran from Milngavie to Milngavie Junction (later renamed Westerton Junction) with trains continuing to Glasgow Queen Street High Level until the Glasgow City and District Railway opened after which trains started to serve Glasgow Queen Street Low Level.
  /  /1882Glasgow City and District Railway
Glasgow City and District Railway authorised.
  /  /1885Glasgow City and District Railway
Hyndland [1st] branch authorised with running powers for the Caledonian Railway.
15/03/1886Glasgow City and District Railway
Yorkhill (Finnieston East Junction) to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level to High Street (College East Junction) opened. A third rail was used for train lighting.
01/08/1886Glasgow City and District Railway
Knightswood North Junction to Knightswood South Junction opened. The section included a tunnel under the Forth and Clyde Canal and Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway.
  /  /1887Glasgow City and District RailwayNorth British Railway
Glasgow City and District Railway absorbed by North British Railway.
01/02/1887Glasgow City and District Railway Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) City of Glasgow Union Railway Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh RailwayStobcross Railway
Circular service introduced by the North British Railway.
01/06/1892Glasgow City and District Railway
Bridgeton Cross (later Bridgeton Central) branch opened. Stations; Gallowgate Central, Bridgeton Cross [NB].
  /  /1901Glasgow City and District Railway
3rd rail removed.
12/01/1903Glasgow City and District Railway Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) City of Glasgow Union Railway Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh RailwayStobcross Railway
Circular service withdrawn.
01/02/1913City of Glasgow Union Railway
Glasgow and South Western Railway services from the City of Glasgow Union Railway to Bridgeton Central are withdrawn. The link between the City of Glasgow Union Railway and Glasgow City and District Railway is closed.
01/01/1914Glasgow City and District Railway
College [2nd] renamed High Street.
01/01/1917Glasgow City and District Railway
Finnieston [1st] closed.
01/01/1917Glasgow City and District Railway
Gallowgate Central closed.
08/01/1956Glasgow City and District Railway Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway) Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway New Monkland Line (Monkland Railways) Boghead to Cowdenhead Branch (Monkland Railways) Torbanehill and Bathgate Branch (Monkland Railways) Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Last regular Glasgow Queen Street Low Level to Edinburgh Waverley via Shettleston, Coatbridge Sunnyside and Bathgate Upper service runs.
05/05/1958Glasgow City and District Railway
Hyndland [1st] to Partick Junction closed to freight
  /  /1959Glasgow City and District Railway
Glasgow Queen Street Low Level re-built from four platforms to two. The island platform in the middle is isolated from passengers and the lines reduced from four to two.
05/11/1960Glasgow City and District Railway
Hyndland [1st] to Partick Junction closed to passengers (Hyndland becomes an Electric Multiple Unit maintenance depot)
06/11/1960Glasgow City and District Railway
Hyndland [1st] Branch closed to passengers, but new electric train maintenance depot was opened by the station's island platform so the branch is retained, although the station tracks lifted.
  /10/1966Glasgow City and District Railway
Parkhead North Goods yard closed.
05/11/1979Glasgow City and District Railway
Bridgeton Central station to Bridgeton Cross North Junction closed to passengers.
17/12/1979Glasgow City and District Railway
Partickhill closed and replaced by Partick (incorporates Merkland Street [Subway] station).
  /  /1980Glasgow City and District Railway
Gallowgate Central building demolished.
01/06/1987Glasgow City and District Railway
Bridgeton Central to Bridgeton Central Junction (excluded) closed completely (used for Electric Multiple Unit maintenance latterly).
23/06/1987Glasgow City and District Railway
Hyndland Depot to Hyndland Junction (excluded) closed completely (used for Electric Multiple Unit maintenance latterly).
  /  /1993Glasgow City and District Railway
Finnieston [1st] station building burnt down.
29/06/1998Glasgow City and District Railway
Start of repairs to Knightswood Tunnel.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Kinightswood Curve

This is a single lead junction where the double track line between Westerton station and Anniesland is met by a single track from Cowlairs West Junction, this doubling shortly after the junction going east. (The junction has been converted into a single lead junction.) It is located just north of the Forth and Clyde Canal.
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See also
Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
This Class 158 is not moving but awaiting access to the single lead at Knightwood North Junction to allow reversal back along the line via Maryhill to ...
Ewan Crawford //1994
A 334 comes up from Anniesland having passed under the Glasgow Dumbarton and Helensburgh, on the left, with which it will merge just east of Westerton ...
Rod Crawford 12/04/2020
A West Highland bound Sprinter heads west to Knightswood North Junction in 1994. On the right is the line from Anniesland which burrows under the ...
Ewan Crawford //1994
A westbound Sprinter, between Maryhill station and Knightswood North Junction in 1994, about to cross over Bearsden Road at Temple. ...
Ewan Crawford //1994
4 of 12 images. more


Work on the southern end of Knightswood Tunnel in 1998. This portion of the canal was drained, water being pumped past the location. ...
Ewan Crawford //1998
1 of 1 images.


This junction is to the north of Anniesland station. To the east the original line, the Stobcross Railway of 1874 runs to Maryhill Park Junction, just west of Maryhill. This closed in 1980 and reopened in 2005.
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See also
Stobcross Railway
Cowdenhill Branch (North British Railway)
Skaterigg Branch (North British Railway)
320316 is looking less than spruce as it rattles over the points at Knightswood South on 19 September 2020. The train is a Balloch to Airdrie service. ...
David Panton 19/09/2020
B1 61140 leaves the loop at Knightswood South junction with a mixed freight on 21st September 1963. It has come off the spur from Maryhill Park and ...
Robin McGregor 21/09/1963
A Rutherglen service passing Knightswood South Junction on the approach to Anniesland. Rutherglen is not normally a destination, but engineering works ...
David Panton 25/08/2018
156458 on route learning duties approaches the new crossover accessing the recently installed connecting spur to the Maryhill line. This DMU is using ...
Colin McDonald 28/01/2016
4 of 32 images. more





Hyndland Terminus

Opened with the Hyndland [1st] branch of the Glasgow City and District Railway.
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See also
Stobcross Railway


This EMU depot opened on the northern part of site of Hyndland [1st] station in 1960. The station was able to remain open while the depot was established. ...

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For a few years after the electrics were introduced, the headshunt from Hyndland's electric depot usually had a J37 on display, which I assume was ...
Robin McGregor 09/04/1963
For a few years after the electrics were introduced, the headshunt from Hyndland's electric depot usually had a J37 on display, which I assume was ...
Robin McGregor 09/04/1963
Hyndland Depot after the track had been removed from the shed. Access by kind permission of British Rail. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
Low winter sun and flare in 1991. The site of Hyndland EMU depot, Hyndland station [1st] and the Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire being redeveloped. The ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
4 of 16 images. more


This was a terminal station with an island platform and goods sidings. A fine terminus building stood in Hyndland Road, now gone, the site now being Station Gardens. The platform was canopied with a footbridge to the platform from Novar Drive.
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V3 67627 sets off from Hyndland terminus in the summer of 1957 with a train for Airdrie. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 07/08/1957
V1 2-6-2T no 67665 brings a train from Airdrie into the terminus at Hyndland on 30 April 1960. On the right is one of the new class AM3 (later TOPS ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/04/1960
NB 256 ready to leave the old Hyndland terminus on 30 April 1960 with the SLS Glasgow City & District Tour. Some of the participants had arrived by ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/04/1960
Trains at Hyndland station, July 1949. Ex-NB J37 0.6.0 64584. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 22/07/1949
4 of 5 images. more





Finnieston to High Street

This was the junction between the approach to the northern half of Stobcross Goods [NBR] (one of the terminii of the Stobcross Railway) and the line to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level (Glasgow City and District Railway).
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See also
Stobcross Railway
Gresley V3 67626 passing the former Stobcross shed on 14 July 1961 with a Helensburgh Central - Bridgeton Central train. The two road dead end shed, ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 14/07/1961
1 of 1 images.


This was a two platform station located in a dressed stone cutting on the south side of Argyle Street on which was the station surface two storey building and entrance. The platforms were canopied. Stairways ran up to a footbridge with access from Argyle Street.
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Westbound 303 passes over the former Glasgow Central Railway and climbs to Yorkhill. Goods yards stood to either side of the line here. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
Eastbound 303 approaches the bridge over the former Glasgow Central Railway. Goods yards stood to either side of the line here. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
The Glasgow Central Railway passing under the Glasgow City and District Railway at Kelvinhaugh. This shows the mouth of St Vincent Crescent Tunnel. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
Class 303 on the Glasgow City and District Railway crossing bridge over the Glasgow Central Railway. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 5 images. more


This is a two platform station. The station is almost entirely underground, but is open at the west end. Ticket offices are at ground level with platforms below.
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A very wet day in January 1980 at Charing Cross with 303031 operating an Airdrie - Helensburgh working. ...
John Clark /01/1980
A Helensburgh train pulls into Charing Cross on 5 August. Being substantially underground with trains coming to stop in the gloom at either end, this ...
David Panton 05/08/2017
It is difficult to photograph an eastbound train at Charing Cross as they all come to a halt at the platform end, furthest into the tunnel. So, just ...
David Panton 01/12/2018
Gresley V3 2-6-2T 67681, arriving at Charing Cross with an eastbound service, on the Glasgow Queen St Low Level line in July 1961.
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Robin McGregor /07/1961
4 of 16 images. more


This is a two platform station beneath Glasgow Queen Street High Level. Trains at the high level station can be heard arriving and departing from below.
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The mystery of the whereabouts of three plaques commemorating the Glasgow Suburban electrification and its 25th and 40th anniversaries should not ...
Colin McDonald 11/02/2020
The mystery of the whereabouts of three plaques commemorating the Glasgow Suburban electrification and its 25th and 40th anniversaries should not ...
Colin McDonald 11/02/2020
One of a series of information posters which has appeared recently on the Queen Street Low level platforms. Inset is a new (?) 'arrow' logo which ...
Colin McDonald 10/02/2018
Another stage of the refurbishment of Glasgow Queen Street is announced on posters which appeared in mid February 2019 near the Low Level lifts and ...
Colin McDonald 21/02/2019
4 of 43 images. more


This is a double track tunnel between Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, to the west, and High Street. The tunnel is 681 yds long.
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This is a two platform station located in a dressed stone cutting with a street level ticket office.
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334004 calls at High Street, with a Springburn to Milngavie service, on 14 August 2021. ...
John McIntyre 14/08/2021
A Springburn to Dumbarton Central service calls at High Street on 24 August 2019. ...
David Panton 24/08/2019
An Edinburgh service enters High Street on 5 August. The view looks west to Queen Street. ...
David Panton 05/08/2017
High Street, looking west, on 9/5/16. A Helensburgh to Edinburgh approaches. ...
Alastair McLellan 09/05/2016
4 of 19 images. more


This junction was immediately east of High Street station and visible from the east end of the platforms.
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Sign at High Street in July 1997 indicating the location of the former Bridgeton Central Junction, severed some years previously. ...
David Panton /07/1997
V3 67679 with a Bridgeton Central - Drumry train comes off the branch at Bridgeton Central Junction, just east of High Street station, as it climbs to ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 10/07/1957
318250 passes the former Bridgeton Central Junction as it climbs east out of the cutting at High Street in February 2015. The trackbed of the old line ...
Colin McDonald 03/02/2015
An overview of Bridgeton Central Junction looking west to High Street station in 1987. The remaining wall of the NBR's High Street Goods shed is just ...
Ewan Crawford //1987
4 of 5 images. more







Bridgeton Branch

Also known as the North British Railway's Bridgeton Cross Extension.

This junction was immediately east of High Street station and visible from the east end of the platforms.
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Sign at High Street in July 1997 indicating the location of the former Bridgeton Central Junction, severed some years previously. ...
David Panton /07/1997
V3 67679 with a Bridgeton Central - Drumry train comes off the branch at Bridgeton Central Junction, just east of High Street station, as it climbs to ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 10/07/1957
318250 passes the former Bridgeton Central Junction as it climbs east out of the cutting at High Street in February 2015. The trackbed of the old line ...
Colin McDonald 03/02/2015
An overview of Bridgeton Central Junction looking west to High Street station in 1987. The remaining wall of the NBR's High Street Goods shed is just ...
Ewan Crawford //1987
4 of 5 images. more


This double track tunnel is 220 yds long. It is no longer in use. It carried the line from Bridgeton Central Junction at High Street station to Bridgeton Cross South Junction (Gallowgate Junction). Also known as Ladywell Tunnel, Ladywell Barrack Street Tunnel or (incorrectly) as Barrack Street Tunnel. (The latter name refers to the Glasgow and South Western Railway tunnel between [[St ...

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Cable support inside Ladywell Tunnel. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
Overhead Wire support in tunnel. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
Signal support inside Ladywell Tunnel. I suspect this protected the Junction ahead at Gallowgate Central. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
The trackbed looking the way it should... just minus some track. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
4 of 9 images. more


This junction opened in 1893 with the construction of a curve (1893) from St Johns Junction on the City of Glasgow Union Railway to meet the Glasgow City and District Railway (1892) line to Bridgeton Central. Also known as Gallowgate Central Junction.
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See also
City of Glasgow Union Railway


This was a two platform station to the south of Bridgeton Cross South Junction. The station was in a deep dressed stone cutting.
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More canopy markings... this time on the other platform. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
The view from Gallowgate Tunnel toward the Station in Black and White. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
The view from Gallowgate Tunnel toward the Station. The entrance was immediately above the tunnel exit. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
What looks like some kind of canopy marking on the overbridge. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
4 of 14 images. more




This is a disused double track tunnel of 220 yds. The tunnel is between the former Bridgeton Central station (south) and former Gallowgate Central station (north).
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Entering the portal of Bridgeton Central tunnel. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
Deep within the Tunnel the track bed remains. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
Looking towards the cleared portal of Bridgeton Central tunnel. ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
Inside the 310 yard tunnel.. notice the tyre marks. Not sign of rail!! ...
Colin Harkins 29/03/2007
4 of 9 images. more




This was a terminus of a short branch from High Street station, providing a useful terminus in the east of the city, rather than have trains terminate (and block platforms) at Glasgow Queen Street Low Level. It was generally known as Bridgeton Central. The station consisted of two terminal island platforms, both with glazed canopies - originally a trainshed which covered both platforms. ...

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The exterior of Bridgeton Central as seen in January 1979.
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John Clark /01/1979
Through the brick you can just make out a support pillar albeit looking slightly loose. ...
Colin Harkins 27/03/2007
The frontage of the former Bridgeton Central station in November 1997, then in use as a bookmaker and looking fairly unadorned compared with today. ...
David Panton 25/11/1997
Platform Side of Station Building. The once bustling Archways blocked up. Looks like some maintaince may be needed. ...
Colin Harkins 27/03/2007
4 of 22 images. more