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

Station

Name 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

Station

External links

Canmore site record
NLS 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 Tower


Above 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.


Chronology Dates

  /  /1860Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Act receives Royal assent. Line given running powers to run into Lockerbie (Caledonian Railway) and Dumfries (Glasgow and South Western Railway) stations.
19/04/1861Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Company to use Dumfries permanently.
01/09/1863Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
The Caledonian Railway associated Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway is opened giving the company access to Dumfries. In response the Portpatrick Railway applies for running powers over the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway to Dumfries and the Caledonian Railway negotiates running the Portpatrick Railway, a blow to the Glasgow and South Western Railway which had considered the Portpatrick line to be within its territory.
31/08/1864North British Steam Packet Company
PS Carham built by A & J Inglis at the Pointhouse Shipbuilding Yard to operate the Silloth to Dumfries and Annan service. This was the first vessel the NB ordered from Inglis.
  /  /1865Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway Caledonian Railway
Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway. The Caledonian Railway grants running powers to the London and North Western Railway between Carlisle Citadel, Lockerbie and Dumfries.
  /  /1902Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Dumfries turntable replaced with a 60ft one.
03/05/1943Cairn Valley Light Railway (Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Moniaive to Dumfries (Cairn Valley Junction) closed to passengers.
04/07/1949Cairn Valley Light Railway (Glasgow and South Western Railway)
Moniaive to Dumfries (Cairn Valley Junction) closed to freight.
19/05/1952Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Dumfries to Lockerbie closed to passengers.
14/06/1965Portpatrick Railway Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
Challoch Junction (excluded) to Dumfries (excluded) closed to passengers. Glenluce, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Creetown, Gatehouse of Fleet, New Galloway, Parton and Crossmichael closed. Challoch Junction to Maxwelltown Factory Siding (excluded) closed to all traffic. On the surviving part of the line Castle Kennedy and Dunragit stations closed.
18/04/1966Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Dumfries to Lockerbie closed to freight.
18/11/1966Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway
Lockerbie to Dumfries closed.
  /  /1990Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
Dumfries to Cargenbridge closed. The line was left in place except for sidings at Cargenbridge.
23/08/2002Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
Traincrew depot opened at Dumfries.

News items

10/11/2023Station gardeners win top award [Daily Record]
25/10/2023Works set to commence on Dumfries station accessibility improvements [Network Rail]
22/09/2023Dumfries station accessibility project gets the green light [Network Rail]
19/09/2023Dumfries station's bridge replacement approved [BBC News]
28/06/2023New bridge impact fears at Dumfries station [BBC News]
26/06/2023Dumfries station bridge plans submitted [Network Rail]
13/06/2023Station accessibility improvements to be unveiled [Daily Record]
06/06/2023Dumfries station accessibility improvements unveiled [Network Rail]
27/05/2023Village uproar as railway works go ahead [DNG Online Limited]
07/04/2023Campaign to reinstate Dumfries to Stranraer railway line relaunched for 60th anniversary of Beeching Report [Daily Record]

Books


An Illustrated History of Carlisle's Railways

Branches & Byways: Southwest Scotland and the Border Counties

Carlisle To Beattock: including the Dumfries Branch (Scottish Main Lines)

Carlisle To Beattock: including the Dumfries Branch (Scottish Main Lines)

The Glasgow & South Western Railway a History