Dumfries: A northbound service leaving Dumfries for Glasgow on an overcast morning in April 1971. Note the Type 2s stabled for the weekend in the former Kirkcudbright and Stranraer bays on the right. For a painting based on this photograph see image 22888.
John Furnevel 08/04/1971
Dumfries
Location type
StationName and dates
Dumfries (1859-)Station code: DMF National Rail ScotRail
Where: Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Opened on the Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway.
Opened on the Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway.
Open on the G and SW Main Line.
Description
This is a two platform station with red sandstone buildings and glazed canopies in the east of the centre of Dumfries. The station is noted for its fine station gardens.
It was a relocated and improved station - with three through lines and bays at north end. This replaced a two platform station on roughly the same site. That replaced a two platform through station (Dumfries [2nd]) at the locomotive shed site which in turn replaced a terminus in the goods yard (Dumfries [1st] of 1848).
The main building, on the northbound platform, is of two stories and attic with single storey wings. The southbound plaform building, a single storey, dates from 1885. The station is canopied and has a glazed circulating area. The bay platforms, for services to Lockerbie and west to Stranraer Harbour and other locations on the Port Road, have been infilled resulting in a large glass covered area. There are a number of small timber buildings in the station area including a curved timber platform stall.
The signal box, 'Dumfries Station' which opened in 1957, is 'B' listed. When opened it replaced several boxes including
- Dumfries Goods Junction (St Marys)
- Lockerbie Junction (Dumfries No 1)
- Pleasance Junction (Dumfries No 2)
It became simply 'Dumfries' when 'Dumfries South' box (Noblehill Junction) closed around 1993.
The circulating area is used for a farmer's market.
The Carlisle bound platform building is a cafe The Station Cafe .
Dumfries is one of the stations 'adopted' by the South West Railway Adopters Gardening Group (Login required) and is notable for its beautifully maintained station gardens.
On the west side of the station, across Station Road, stands Station Hotel Dumfries (1897).
Tags
StationExternal links
Canmore site recordNLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map
NLS Map
NLS Map
NLS Map
NLS Map
08/11/2021
Facilities
Listing: B
| Nearby stations Dumfries [2nd] Dumfries [1st] Maxwelltown Heathhall Halt Locharbriggs Holywood [2nd] Holywood [1st] Racks Amisfield Irongray Lochanhead Shieldhill Newtonairds Killywhan Auldgirth | Dumfries Goods [CR] Dumfries St Mary^s Shed [CR] Dumfries Shed Lockerbie Junction Pleasance Junction Dumfries Goods Dumfries Goods Junction Ramsey Place Junction Maxwelltown Goods Junction Dumfries Gas Works Nith Viaduct Noblehill Junction Tourist/other Station Hotel Dumfries Peter Pan Moat Brae Robert Burns House |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
Signalling TowerAbove Dumfries station, on high ground to the east, stood the 'signalling tower'. This was a highly distinctive brick built octagonal building with a window on each side topped with castellations. It was fitted with two flagpoles - a tall one to indicate points were set for the main line and a shorter for the branch. These were replaced in 1860 with signals. It was originally at the Castle Douglas junction, opened with the line, before moved higher up in anticipation of the opening of the Lockerbie route. The tower was replaced with a signal box in 1883 and remained standing as a landmark afterwards. Demolished late 1970s/early 1980s. |
