Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway)
Introduction
This formed a connection between the Hamilton Branch (Caledonian Railway) and the Coalburn Branch (Caledonian Railway). This created the Hamilton Circle and gave the collieries of the Coalburn line an approach to Strathaven Junction, Craighead Junction and the works in the Glasgow area including the Hallside Steel Works, Clydebridge Steel Works, Clyde Iron Works and Govan Iron Works.
Dates
| 18/07/1872 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton West to Ross Junction (Ferniegair) authorised. Some deviation of the original line at Ferniegair is required. |
| 29/05/1876 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton West to Ferniegair opened to freight. |
| 18/09/1876 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton West to Ferniegair opened to minerals. |
| 02/10/1876 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton West to Ferniegair opened to passengers. Station opened at Hamilton Central. Hamilton becomes Hamilton West. (Alternative date 14/07/1876 - although unclear, this may be the Haughead to Ross Jncts curve.) |
| 28/04/1903 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Improvements to Hamilton Central agreed with town council. |
| / /1904 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Authorisation to improve Hamilton Central. |
| / /1962 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) The two central roads (bypassing the platforms) removed from Hamilton Central. |
| 01/04/1965 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Hamilton Gasworks line closed. |
| /11/1972 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Work to prepare for electrification begins. Line laid through centre of Hamilton Central and new platform begins to be built on its east side. Overall roof removed. Once complete a new station building is built in front of the old, which is demolished. |
| 22/08/1973 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Line singled between Hamilton Central and Haughhead Junction to allow the single track to be slewed to the centre of Barncleuth Tunnel to accommodate the overhead wiring. |
| /05/1974 | Lesmahagow Railway
Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway)
Hamilton Branch (Caledonian Railway) The Hamilton Circle is electrified from Motherwell to Newton. |
| / /2006 | Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) Covered walkway opened between Hamilton Central and car park. |
Portions of line and locations
This line is divided into a number of portions.
Hamilton to Ross Junction
This is a two platform station with a car park on its west side and entrance from Clydesdale Street, to the south.
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See also
Hamilton Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Colin McDonald 27/01/2017
David Panton 22/06/2019
Colin McDonald 27/01/2017
John Furnevel 01/08/2006
This junction was on the Hamilton Circle between Hamilton West and Hamilton Central. It was directly south of Peacock Cross. Hamilton West station is to the north. Several collieries were served to the south.
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See also
Cadzow Colliery Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Gordon Steel //1896
This is a two platform station with nearby parking and a bus interchange.
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John Yellowlees 04/06/2017
John Yellowlees 02/06/2017
Network Rail /04/2021
John Steven 16/06/2009
This signal box was a little way east Hamilton Central. It controlled access to Silverton Colliery, on the west side of the line, and Barncluith Colliery, on the east side. The box was between the approach to Silverton and the main line, opposite the approach to Barncluith. The collieries were approached from the north west.
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This is a four arch double track masonry viaduct. The viaduct is 66 yards long and 43 ft high. This is an attractive viaduct built near Chatelherault, the Duke of Hamilton's lodge.
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G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 13/07/1962
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 13/07/1962
This is the junction for Larkhall from the Hamilton Circle. Approach is from the west, a single track from Hamilton Central. At the junction the lines to Motherwell (double track) and Larkhall (single track) divide.
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Ewan Crawford //1997
Ewan Crawford 12/12/2005
This junction opened in 1876 between the 1856 Lesmahagow Railway and a new line west through Haughhead Junction to Hamilton Central and Hamilton West. This opening created the Hamilton Circle (actually teardrop shaped).
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See also
Lesmahagow Railway
Haughhead Junction to Ferniegair Junction
Note that the modern alignment here does not follow the original course. The new alignment is a little to the south, due to the route of M74, and on a tighter radius. Chatelherault station is more or less on the original alignment.
This is the junction for Larkhall from the Hamilton Circle. Approach is from the west, a single track from Hamilton Central. At the junction the lines to Motherwell (double track) and Larkhall (single track) divide.
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Ewan Crawford //1997
Ewan Crawford 12/12/2005
This is a new (2005) single platform station on a single track line, located on the west side of the line. The station has a large car park. To the south is the Allanton Loop.
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See also
Lesmahagow Railway
Ewan Crawford 27/3/2005
David Panton 08/03/2008
This junction was formed in 1876 when the 1856 Lesmahagow Railway was met by the a new Hamilton to Ferniegair (Caledonian Railway) line, an extension of the Hamilton branch which also created the Hamilton Circle. Ferniegair was the southern junction of a triangular junction.
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See also
Lesmahagow Railway
Ewan Crawford 20/03/2005
Ewan Crawford 2/5/2004
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 12/07/1962
