Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)

Introduction

This line is open. The extension from Greenock to Gourock was built by the Caledonian Railway to give them a steamer pier further west than the Glasgow and South Western Railway with which it was competing with steamers running from Greenock to other piers such as Dunoon Pier. The new line, station and pier gave the Caledonian Railway the edge.






Dates

  /  /1866Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Gourock Railways and Pier - authorisation to build a line to Gourock and acquire the pier. (Not proceeded with at this time.)
  /  /1869Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Gourock Railways and Pier - proposal abandoned.
  /  /1869Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
The Caledonian Railway purchases Gourock Harbour. The company retains the land and Gourock Pier.
  /  /1878Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Gourock Railway Bill rejected.
  /  /1884Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Authorisation for the extension from Greenock Cathcart Street [1st] to Gourock and Gourock Pier. With new new alignment in Greenock the Dellingburn Branch is authorised to be modified. An agreement is made with the Clyde Lighthouse Board over lights.
13/06/1939Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Passenger train derails at Gourock, alongside the signal box.
05/06/1967Glasgow South Bank Electrification Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines electrified.

Locations along the line

These locations are along the line.

This signal box was on the eastern approaches to Greenock Central and its goods yards. It was located on the south side of the line east of Dellingburn Street.
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See also
Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway


This is the main station in Greenock. It replaced Greenock Cathcart Street [1st] which was the original terminus of the line. The original terminus line was located slightly to the north and the line was cut back to the new station on opening. In addition the new alignment was further north in general. To great local disappointment Greenock Mansion House was demolished as part of the works. ...

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See also
Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway
Ex-Gourock 303091 passes a westbound service at Greenock Central. ...
Roger Geach Collection /06/1992
Eastbound DMU at Greenock Central with a service for Glasgow Central. The date is not known but was probably in early 1967, not long before electric ...
Brian Haslehust //1967
Cravens DMU on a Gourock-Glasgow service arriving at Greenock Central. The exact date was not recorded but was probably just before electric services ...
Brian Haslehust //1967
Greenock Central seen in 1999. Several buildings had been demolished which opened out this view of the goods line ramp which ran down from the east ...
Ewan Crawford //1999
4 of 49 images. more


This is a double track 280 yard tunnel between Greenock West and Greenock Central. The Anne Street Tunnel is just to the west.
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This is a double track 200 yard tunnel between Greenock West and Greenock Central. The Wellpark Tunnel is just to the east.
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This is a two platform station below street level. A booking office stands on Inverkip Street above the station.
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Looking across Inverkip Street in July 2007 towards Greenock West station, showing the street level building giving access to the lower level ...
John Furnevel 29/07/2007
The street-level buildings at Greenock West, seen on 14 November. The station boasts a cafe; this (surprisingly?) must pay its way as it's been here ...
David Panton 14/11/2017
View from the 5.03pm Gourock to Glasgow Central leaving Greenock West, hauled by Fairburn 2-6-4T 42274, on Friday 28th April 1967. This was the final ...
Robin McGregor 28/04/1967
Looking west in Greenock West station. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 18 images. more


This is the second longest railway tunnel in Scotland. It is a double track tunnel running between Greenock West and Fort Matilda. The length is 2,111 yds - a mile and 350 yards.
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A Glasgow - Gourock train emerges from the west portal of Newton Street Tunnel on 25 July 1963. Locomotive in charge is Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42260. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 25/07/1963
BR Standard tank 80109 exits the west end of the 2,100 yard Newton Street Tunnel on 25 July 1963 as it approaches Fort Matilda with a Glasgow Central ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 25/07/1963
2 of 2 images.


This is a two platform station, by James Miller, with a large original station building on the up platform. The roof overhangs the platform to form a canopy fitted with screens at either end of the building.
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A Derby DMU arriving at Fort Matilda with a Gourock-Glasgow service. The picture dates from early 1967, not long before the start of electric services ...
Brian Haslehust //1967
A lone taxi awaits the arrival of an early Sunday morning service from Glasgow in the otherwise deserted (apart from me) station car park at Fort ...
John Furnevel 29/07/2007
A Derby DMU arriving at Fort Matilda with a Gourock-Glasgow service. The picture dates from early 1967, not long before the start of electric services ...
Brian Haslehust //1967
A Derby DMU bound for Gourock calls at Fort Matilda in 1967. ...
Brian Haslehust //1967
4 of 17 images. more


This is a three platform terminus on Gourock Pier. It is served by a regular service from Glasgow Central via Paisley Gilmour Street.
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The 5.03pm service to Glasgow Central ready to leave Gourock behind Fairburn 2-6-4T 42274. The photograph was taken on Friday 28th April 1967, and ...
Robin McGregor 28/04/1967
Bikes pay homage to Alastair Alexander's magnificent display at Gourock. ...
John Yellowlees 14/06/2017
Jubilee 45698 Mars takes the 12.10pm to Glasgow Central away from Gourock on 10 August 1964. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 10/08/1964
In 1997 Class 318s were taking over from 303s on Inverclyde services and 318269 is seen here at Gourock in July 1997. It is in the delivered SPT ...
David Panton 20/07/1997
4 of 113 images. more