This is a single platform station, re-opened in 1987. In the past, this was the Glasgow and South Western Railway's main station serving Ardrossan.
The date of opening may be with the line in 1831 or later in 1834. As originally built, there were two platforms on the line through to the harbour, and later (after opening in 1840), Ardrossan Winton Pier. To the west of the station was a locomotive shed and a few sidings. The main station building was on the east side of the line. A roof covered the platforms at the south end. Platforms were short.
To the south of the station the line passed over Princes Street by a level crossing to approach the harbour.
The station was substantially re-built around the opening of the Largs Branch (Glasgow and South Western Railway). A bay platform was provided on the west side. The locomotive shed moved away, being replaced with a goods shed on the west side (still extant) and more sidings. Further sidings were provided on the east side. A large new glazed station roof was provided covering the circulating area (by the bay) and through platforms (with a gap for smoke). The roof was braced between the goods shed, a large was on the east side of the through platforms (still there) and station building (demolished in recent years). The bay was used for Kilmarnock and Largs trains.
Princes Street signal box was on the east side of the line south of the level crossing.
The station closed to passengers in 1967. The signal box closed in 1974, taken over by the nearby Ardrossan Harbour Signal Box. Some of the station's sidings, such as the bay, remained in use for train stabling.
The station remained, without the glazed roof, after closure in 1967 until 1987 when just the former down platform on the harbour line was re-opened - the double line was singled for the re-opening and electrified.
From 1967 to 1987 the nearby Ardrossan South Beach handled the town traffic for Ardrossan during the period of closure of Ardrossan Town.
The platform has been extended since re-opening and the station building, which was not used with the re-opening, demolished and replaced.
Nearby stations Ardrossan Harbour Ardrossan North Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier Ardrossan Harbour [1st] Ardrossan South Beach Saltcoats North Saltcoats [2nd] Saltcoats Saltcoats [1st] Stevenston Moorpark Stevenston Ardeer Platform Kilwinning Byres West Kilbride Kilwinning | Ardrossan Shed [GSW] [1st] Ardrossan Yard Castlehill Junction Ardrossan Shipyard [New Yard] Ardrossan Ship Yard Ardrossan North Goods Ardrossan Shed [GSW] [2nd] Holm Junction Ardrossan Refinery Parkhouse Junction Tourist/other Ardrossan Castle Ardrossan Harbour Signal Box Eglinton Dock Ardrossan Staiths [1st] Ardrossan Old Dock |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |