The pier platform lines met the Helensburgh line east of Craigendoran station. This was remodelled in 1894 into a junction proper when the West Highland Railway opened. This was a double track junction, the West Highland becoming single track north of Craigendoran Upper station.
Additional loops and Craigendoran West Yard and Craigendoran East Yard were established in the Second World War. These, and the marshalling Yard at Ardmore Yard, operated in conjunction with the new Faslane Military Port and other military developments further north.
The junction was resignalled in 1960 in preparation for electrification.
The junction was remodelled and a new panel box opened (1984), and now the single track Helensburgh line meets the single track West Highland and travel east together as a single line before splitting into a conventional double track line - except that there is a loop on the West Highland part of the junction which allows a train, to stand clear of fouling the junction while either awaiting a late running service from the West Highland or for pausing on the way south. It is also used to allow locomotives to round a train, such as the Jacobite stock, if required.
Nearby stations Craigendoran Upper Craigendoran Craigendoran Pier Helensburgh Ticket Platform Helensburgh Central Helensburgh Upper Cardross Rhu Greenock Princes Pier [2nd] Greenock Princes Pier [1st] Cartsdyke Greenock Cathcart Street [1st] Greenock Central Bogston Greenock West | Craigendoran Branch Junction Craigendoran West Yard Craigendoran East Yard Craigendoran Carriage Sidings Helensburgh Construction Camp Tourist/other Craigendoran Old Ferry Pier Camis Eskan House Craigendoran West Signal Box Colgrain Fish Yair Woodhead Dam Railway Glen Ardmore West Signal Box Baths Inn [Helensburgh] Moss Road Level Crossing Ardmore Fish Yair |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
/ /1894 | Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway Craigendoran Pier Deviation West Highland Railway Craigendoran signal box closed and replaced by Craigendoran Junction signal box. |
03/08/1894 | West Highland Railway Opened from Craigendoran Junction to Fort William [1st]. |
28/03/1960 | Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway Craigendoran Pier Deviation West Highland Railway Craigendoran East signal box closed, control passed to Craigendoran Junction signal box renamed Craigendoran. |