This is a four way junction. Two lines of the Cathcart Circle from Glasgow Central, one via Crosshill and via Maxwell Park, meet a line from Neilston and a line from Newton. The junction allows a train via Crosshill to run to Neilston and a train via Maxwell Park to run to Newton. Unfortunately the latter passes close to Cathcart but does not serve it.
The route via Maxwell Park to Newton is a useful diversionary one, should the main line via Rutherglen be unavailable.
The original line here was the Cathcart District Railway, now known as the Cathcart Circle. The Newton and Neilston lines were part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway which had stretched from Ardrossan Montgomerie Pier to Newton before being cut back to Neilston. The junction layout was different - a train from Newton could not join the Maxwell Park route until this was altered by removal of a bridge over Clarkston Road and the slewing of the lines over to Cathcart West Junction.
The signal box (1903) was in the 'V' of the junction. It closed in 1961, replaced by Cathcart Power Box. At the same time the junction was remodelled with the route east lifted and the junction converted into a four way junction. This was in the run up to electrification, completed in 1962.
Nearby stations Cathcart Cathcart [1st] Langside Kings Park Muirend Mount Florida Pollokshaws East Crosshill Queens Park Croftfoot Shawlands Crossmyloof Strathbungo Giffnock Pollokshields West | White Cart Water Viaduct SPX Flow Cathcart Power Box Cathcart North Junction Cathcart East Junction Mount Florida Mineral Depot Aikenhead Colliery Nos 1 and 2 Battlefield [Tram] Pollokshaws East Goods Braidbar Quarry Coal Pit Mallsmire Firebrick Works Orchard Quarry Tourist/other Holmwood House Hampden Park Stadium |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
/ /1897 | Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Giffen Junction to Newton, Lugton L and A Junction, Clarkston West Junction to Clarkston East Junction, Muirend to Clarkston East Junction, Kirkhill Junction to Newton, Kirkhill Junction to Westburn Junction, Cathcart West Junction to Cathcart, two single track Cathcart East Junction to Cathcart North Junction links. Railways 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 authorised to be made by the Caledonian Railway. |
An Illustrated History of Glasgow's Railways | Forgotten Railways: Scotland |