Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)

Introduction

This line is open. It was a freight only route for many years and was re-opened to passengers. New stations were constructed at similar locations to the original ones. Known as the 'R and C' or Rutherglen and Coatbridge Railway. The line was authorised for the Caledonian Railway between Rutherglen and Coatbridge with a branch to Whifflet.





Dates

  /  /1861Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Line from Rutherglen to Coatbridge with a branch to Whifflet authorised. The Monkland Railways is granted running powers.
  /  /1863Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Authorisation to deviate the authorised line where it crosses the Drumpeller Railway. (Bredisholm Deviation.)
25/09/1865Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Rutherglen to Coatbridge opened to goods. Whifflet branch also opened. (Alternative date 20/09/1865.)
08/01/1866Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Rutherglen to Coatbridge opened to passengers. Whifflet Branch also opened to passengers.
20/11/1868Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Clyde Iron Works branch ('Lanarkshire and Midlothian Branches' railway number 8) opened from the new Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) (1865), replacing earlier Clyde Iron Works Railways which ran directly from Cambuslang Goods on the Clydesdale Junction Railway.
  /  /1872Tannochside Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Connection between the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) and Drumpeller Railway (being converted to standard gauge) authorised (Railway no 7).
02/10/1872Tannochside Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Connection between the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) and Drumpeller Railway opened for mineral traffic.
10/12/1872Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Two road shed at Baillieston Shed opened in connection with Bredisholm and Baillieston pits. Sub-shed of Polmadie Shed.
  /  /1881Airdrie Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Authorisation for the Airdrie Branch granted - one of a group of lines called the Lanarkshire Lines. The Airdrie Branch was to run via Whifflet Upper on the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) to Airdrie [CR]. The 'Loop' or 'Lanarkshire Lines' were to run from Airdrie [CR] to Newhouse and beyond, making connection with the existing mineral lines, Salsburgh Branch (Caledonian Railway), near Omoa. Branches to Chapelhall Iron Works, Calderbank Iron Works and Gartness, serving the Gartness Malleable Iron Works, also authorised.
30/06/1903Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Doubling at Langloan authorised.
  /  /1910Clydesdale Junction Railway Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Stopping up and relocation of Ballochmill Road authorised, to allow expansion of Rutherglen East Junction.
  /07/1935Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Baillieston Shed closed as local collieries close.
  /05/1936Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Baillieston Shed demolished.
05/10/1964Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Whifflet Upper to Langloan West Junction closed to passengers.
07/01/1966Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Coatbridge Central to Rutherglen closed to passengers.
07/11/1966Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Coatbridge Central to Rutherglen East Junction closed to passengers (alternative date).
01/05/1972Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Coatbridge Central to Rutherglen Junction re-opened for Glasgow Central to Perth workings
04/05/1974Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Coatbridge Central to Rutherglen Junction ceases to be used for Glasgow Central to Perth workings.
04/10/1993Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)
Local passenger service established between Glasgow (Rutherglen East Junction) and Whifflet. Trains interconnect with services to Motherwell and Coatbridge Central. 'Heritage' Diesel Multiple Units were used.

Locations along the line

These locations are along the line.

This junction is east of Rutherglen. It is the junction between the main line to the south out of Glasgow Central and the line east to Coatbridge Central and Whifflet.
...

More details

See also
Clydebridge Steelworks Railways
Clydesdale Junction Railway
Looking east at Rutherglen East Junction. From left to right; line to Clydebridge Steelworks, line to Coatbridge and Whifflet, line to Edinburgh and ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
1 of 1 images.


This was the junction and exchange sidings for the Clydebridge Steel Works. The works started in 1887 on the west bank of the River Clyde, just across the river from the Clyde Iron Works and north of the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) which had sidings serving the works.
...

More details


This double track five arch stone bridge crosses over the River Clyde carrying the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway). It is a short distance east of Rutherglen East Junction and south of the former Clyde Iron Works (east bank) and Clydebridge Steel Works (west bank). The viaduct carries a water main in a piperack on its south side.
...

More details
Diverted westbound 125 crossing the Clydebridge Viaduct. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
A pair of 20s crosses the Clydebridge viaduct heading west with a train of empty coal wagons. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
Diverted eastbound 477 crossing the Clydebridge Viaduct. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
The 1142 from Aberdeen crosses the Clyde at Clydesmill on its way to Glasgow Central on 25th March 2016, during the period of the diversions from ...
Colin McDonald 25/03/2016
4 of 6 images. more


This signal box was just to the east of Clydebridge Viaduct on the south side of the line. It controlled the point of entry into the Clyde Iron Works (dating from 1786) from the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) (the 1868 (Lanarkshire and Midlothian Branches railway number 8 - Clyde Iron Works).. This replaced earlier connections to the [[Clydesdale Junction ...

More details

See also
Clyde Iron Works Railways


These boxes served the Clyde Iron Works from 1897. Clyde Iron Works Signal Box [1st] was replaced in 1897 when a second entry to the works opened. A curve, also approached from the east, connected with a works line which had served a coal pit close to the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway). The new box was mid way between the two access points and, once again, on ...

More details

See also
Clyde Iron Works (David Colville and Sons Co Ltd)


This is a two platform station which was opened in 1993 on the site of a former station.
...

More details

See also
Glasgow Central Railway
A Kirkwood to Dalmuir service enters the rather featureless Carmyle Station on 25 August 2018. Trains were originating from Kirkwood rather than ...
David Panton 25/08/2018
66092 with empty coal hoppers passes through Carmyle on a sunny Tuesday evening. ...
Colin Harkins 15/04/2008
The North Briton. 60009 Union of South Africa leading, passes through Carmyle on 15 April 2008. ...
Colin Harkins 15/04/2008
Royal Scot no 46115 Scots Guardsman passes Carmyle at 19.04 on 24 April with the Inverness to Glasgow Central leg of the 'Great Britain V' ...
Ken Browne 24/04/2012
4 of 31 images. more


This was a double junction. The existing 1865 Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) was met by the 1896/7 Glasgow Central Railway which used the original line for a very short distance between its two portions. The Carmyle goods yard was modified to lead off the Glasgow Central Low Level route. The signal box (which replaced the old Carmyle box) was on the south ...

More details

See also
Glasgow Central Railway
Glen Douglas and City of Truro passing Carmyle Junction on 19 September 1959 with one of the many Scottish Industries Exhibition ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 19/09/1959
1 of 1 images.


This is a two platform station. It re-opened with the re-opening of the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) to local trains in 1993.
...

More details
A quiet Sunday morning platform scene at Mount Vernon in April 2007, looking west towards Carmyle. It would be another seven and a half years before ...
John Furnevel 01/04/2007
Platform 1 at Mount Vernon now has CCTV fitted for Driver Only Operation as part of the electrification project. 156449 is seen here on 1st October ...
Colin McDonald 01/10/2014
Looking east along Hamilton Road towards Mount Vernon station on a dreich January day. The gates (left) survive from the now demolished 'Golden ...
Colin McDonald 19/01/2019
3/4 MP sign. Sign (re-painted) located at edge of track east of Mount Vernon Station on Caledonian Railway's Rutherglen & Coatbridge Line. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 17/1/1980
4 of 17 images. more






This is a two platform station. The station opened with the re-opening of the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) to a local train service in 1993.
...

More details
320317 passing through Baillieston on the dreich Saturday morning of 21st August 2021. This train preceded 'Tornado' and caused much concern to the ...
Iain Teaz 21/08/2021
60163 'Tornado' taking the 'Clyde Aberdonian' through Bailieston on 21st August 2021. ...
Iain Teaz 21/08/2021
60163 'Tornado' easing the 'Clyde Aberdonian' through Bailieston on 21st August 2021.
...
Iain Teaz 21/08/2021
The newly completed Muirhead Road overbridge at Baillieston on 15th August 2018, shortly after it was opened to traffic. ...
Colin McDonald 15/08/2018
4 of 68 images. more




This was a single bore and single track tunnel on the mineral line between exchange sidings at Calderbank Colliery Signal Box, to the north on the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway), and Calderbank Colliery Pit No 1. The tunnel is sealed.
...

More details


This signal box was on the north side of the line opposite the junction for the Calderbank Colliery Pit No 1. The branch was accessed from the east and ran south through Calderbank Colliery Tunnel.
...

More details
EMU 320303 on a Whifflet service passes the site of the former Calderbank Colliery Signal Box and junction for the colliery sidings (to the left). ...
Colin McDonald 18/02/2015
1 of 1 images.


The original station was further east than today's Baillieston station. It was a two platform station with the main station building on the eastbound platform (closer to the village, as it then was, of Baillieston which was to the north). There was a waiting room on the westbound platform. The east end of the eastbound platform had a water tank for locomotives.
...

More details
318267 on a Dalmuir Whifflet service passes the site of the original Baillieston station. The houses seen top left in the background are on the site ...
Colin McDonald 19/09/2017
Currently on the site of the original Baillieston station is Network Rail's Bracadale Grove access point, of which good use was made during the recent ...
Colin McDonald 08/03/2017
The site of the Down platform of the original Baillieston station (closed 1964) where almost no trace of the original station can be detected (March ...
Colin McDonald 08/03/2017
A class 318 EMU on a Dalmuir Whifflet service passes the site of the original Baillieston station. The houses seen top left in the background are on ...
Colin McDonald 14/03/2017
4 of 6 images. more


This junction was located between Bailieston (to the west) and Bargeddie. A mineral and goods line ran south east from the main line (running east-west). There were loops on the branch directly east of the junction and some exchange sidings in the 'V' of the junction. These both made trailing connections. The branch was single track and main line double track.
...

More details

See also
Tannochside Branch (Caledonian Railway)
View west at Tannochside Junction in 1988. At the time the R&C was host to E&G, Aberdeen and Inverness trains diverted from Queen Street to Glasgow ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
320321 on a Whifflet - Milngavie service passing the site of Tannochside Junction on 12 March 2015. The orange hi-viz jackets of construction workers ...
Colin McDonald 12/03/2015
The trackbed of the former Tannochside Branch of the Caledonian Railway, looking east from near the site of the Cutty Sark bridge in June 2014. ...
Colin McDonald 11/06/2014
3 of 3 images.


This is a long double track girder viaduct, near Bargeddie station, crossing the new M8 alignment. Built at the site of Tannochside Junction, for the Tannochside Branch (Caledonian Railway).
...

More details
View west on 12th June 2015 with contractors working on the deck of the new bridge at the Bargeddie end. The sections of the sides have been welded ...
Colin McDonald 12/06/2015
Detail of the heavy duty road vehicles being used to move the bridge structure on 8th July see image 51909. ...
Colin McDonald 08/07/2015
Grabshot from a passing train showing the eastern end of the new Bargeddie bridge on 29th June 2015. ...
Colin McDonald 29/06/2015
View of the west end of the new bridge in the evening sunshine on 22nd July. The trackbed on the approaches to the bridge has now been restored and ...
Colin McDonald 22/07/2015
4 of 33 images. more


This is the 'Cutty Sark Bridge' (named for a long term advert for Cutty Sark Whisky on the bridge) over the A8 at the point where is became the M8 heading west.
...

More details
320411 on a Motherwell - Dalmuir sevice comes off the new M8 viaduct at Bargeddie. See image 49745 for a view before construction of the viaduct ...
Colin McDonald 27/10/2017
Just after crossing the new M8 viaduct, 320411 heads towards the site of Tannochside Junction. The trees on the left mark the solum of the former ...
Colin McDonald 27/10/2017
Work now in progress on the older ('Cutty Sark') bridge which takes the R&C line across the A8 at Bargeddie involves grit blasting, strengthening and ...
Colin McDonald 07/07/2017
A 2014 winter morning view across what became the carriageway of the new section of the M8 as a class 156 DMU leaves Bargeddie and heads towards ...
Colin McDonald 30/01/2014
4 of 25 images. more


This is a two platform station to the west of Langmuir Road. The station opened in 1993 on the site of the earlier Drumpark station. Both stations are and were minimal.
...

More details
Contractors dismantling OHLE equipment on 11th July 2015, the first day of the 2 week line closure for the installation of the new viaduct. ...
Colin McDonald 11/07/2015
156 510 on a Whifflet train at Bargeddie on 17 September 2008. ...
David Panton 17/09/2008
156 505 with a Whifflet - Glasgow Central service calls at Bargeddie on 17 September 2008. ...
David Panton 17/09/2008
Deck beams waiting their turn to be fitted between the welded side sections at the west end of the bridge on 12 June. ...
Colin McDonald 12/06/2015
4 of 11 images. more


This junction was the west end of a connecting curve which linked the 1865 Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) to the Drumpeller Railway, a private line which linked the Monkland Canal to coal mines around Drumpellier and Bredisholme. It met the private line at Bredisholm Colliery Junction.
...

More details


This is a two platform station dating from 1993 when the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) re-opened to local trains.
...

More details
318252 approaching Kirkwood station with a Whifflet to Dalmuir sevice on 28th July 2017. The train has just passed the site of Langloan station which ...
Alastair McLellan 28/07/2017
60095 passing through Kirkwood with the empty tanks from Prestwick B.P.Oil to Grangemouth Ineos. ...
Alastair McLellan 28/07/2017
Kirkwood station looking west. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Caledonian Sleeper 92018 brings the empty coaching stock from Edinburgh Waverley through Kirkwood heading towards Polmadie for servicing on 10th March ...
Alastair McLellan 10/03/2020
4 of 10 images. more


This junction was just east of Kirkwood station and west of the closed Langloan station. It provided access to the Langloan Iron Works, to its north east.
...

More details


This was a two platform station east of Kirkwood station which replaces it. The station was directly west of Langloan Junction and directly east of Langloan Weighs Signal Box.
...

More details
Colas Rail 56078 passing the site of the former station at Langloan with a Prestwick to Grangemouth empty tank movement. Langloan station closed in ...
Alastair McLellan 29/08/2019
A Dalmuir - Coatbridge Central service arriving at Langloan station on 1 August 1961. At the head of the train is Dawsholm based Fairburn 2-6-4T no ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 01/08/1961
Platform view from Langloan station on 1 August 1961 looking east towards Langloan West Junction see image 36882. [Ref query 4429] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 01/08/1961
A Maryhill - Whifflet train approaching the platfom at Langloan on 1 August 1961. In charge is Motherwell based Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42203. ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 01/08/1961
4 of 4 images.


This junction is in Coatbridge. It is one of three junctions forming a triangular junction. To the north east is Coatbridge Junction, just south of Coatbridge Central. This junction allows trains from the north to approach Glasgow via Rutherglen. To the south east is Whifflet North Junction, just north of Whifflet station. This junction allows the same approach for trains from ...

More details
320418, passing Langloan Junction with a Motherwell to Dalmuir service on 29th August 2019. ...
Alastair McLellan 29/08/2019
View east of Langloan Junction from a Whifflet - Glasgow Central DMU in 1998. The line to the left runs to Coatbridge Central. ...
Ewan Crawford //1998
Langloan Jct looking towards Whifflet. ...
Alastair McLellan 29/08/2019
Passengers on Aberdeen and Inverness trains diverted to Glasgow Central get a momentary view of this spectacular ruin between Coatbridge Central and ...
John Yellowlees 05/05/2016
4 of 5 images. more


This was the junction between the 1886 Airdrie Branch (Caledonian Railway) and the 1865 Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway). The Airdrie line extended the existing railway east to Airdrie [CR] and was approached from the east. This was a double track junction. The signal box was on the south side of the line.
...

More details

See also
Airdrie Branch (Caledonian Railway)
A Class 37 hauled freight passes Rosehall Junction signal box heading for Whifflet North and probably Mossend Yard. Langloan Junction SB can be seen ...
John Clark //
320 417 with the 1158 Whifflet to Dalmuir shortly after Whifflet North Jct. The location has changed quite considerably see image 60224 and it was ...
Alastair McLellan 03/08/2017
Whifflet North Jct, viewed from close to Rosehall Junction, in 1980 with a Class 25 on lightly loaded train of 16T mineral wagons. R.B.Tennants was ...
Alastair McLellan //1980
Approximately midway along the south-western side of the Whifflet North Jn. / Langloan West Jn. / Coatbridge Jn. triangle was Rosehall Junction which ...
Bill Jamieson 07/03/1971
4 of 4 images.


This is the junction between the 1845 Whifflet Extension (Glasgow, Garnkirk and Coatbridge Railway) and the 1865 Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway). The junction allows a train from the Glasgow direction to enter Whifflet station and continue south towards Mossend Marshalling Yard.
...

More details

See also
Whifflet Extension (Glasgow, Garnkirk and Coatbridge Railway)
Scene at Whifflet North Junction on 24 August 2006 as SPT liveried DMU 156501 prepares to turn west with a service to Glasgow Central. View is north ...
John Furnevel 24/08/2006
20212 and 20227 with a Thornton Junction to Mossend freight seen at Whifflet North Junction in 1986. 20212 was scrapped in 1993 but 20227, the last EE ...
Roger Geach 09/05/1986
An unidentified Class 40 runs light engine through Whifflet North Junction around 1980. At this time R. B. Tennants were still in full production at ...
Alastair McLellan //1980
DRS 66420 passes Whifflet North Junction with an oil tank train, heading south. The 66 is thought to be on hire from DRS. ...
Bill Roberton 27/09/2010
4 of 9 images. more


This signal box was located on the curve between Coatbridge Junction (south of Coatbridge Central) and Langloan Junction.
...

More details


This is the junction between the Whifflet Extension (Glasgow, Garnkirk and Coatbridge Railway) of 1845 and the Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway) of 1865. The junction gave access from the north to the Rutherglen route. Whifflet North Junction provides access from the south, completing a triangular junction with Langloan Junction to the west.
...

More details

See also
Whifflet Extension (Glasgow, Garnkirk and Coatbridge Railway)
The Leaf Train passing Coatbridge Junction en route to Slateford on 1st November 2017.
...
Alastair McLellan 01/11/2017
BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 no 76091 approaching Coatbridge Junction in the summer of 1961 with a Balloch - Coatbridge train. [Ref query 38460] ...
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 01/08/1961
Coatbridge Junction signalbox was located immediately south of Coatbridge Central station on the west side of the ex-CR main line through the town. ...
Bill Jamieson 07/03/1971
3 of 3 images.