Float Junction
Location type
JunctionName and dates
Float Junction (1848-1860)Opened on the Caledonian Railway.
Description
This was the south end of a curve allowing trains to run from Carlisle to Edinburgh. The north end was at Lampits Junction. The curve opened with the Caledonian Railway line and was east of Carstairs Junction.
The curve fell into disuse at an early date, as commented on in the Ordnance Survey Name Book for 1860
A double line of Railway which runs in a direction almost due North, thro' the centre of the parish, towards the south of the parish, a branch line from the Caledonian Railway from Edinburgh was laid for the purpose of meeting the Caledonian Railway from Glasgow via Carstairs to Carlisle but it was found that this branch would not be of much consequence, therefore it is now entirely in disuse. There are two Railway Stations in the parish viz Carnwath and Auchengray. - A considerable extent of this railway runs thro' Carnwath Moss, so which very materially augmented the expense of construction.
The line may have been laid with only a single line. The southern portion was retained and used for the cleaning of cattle trains.
The opening, in 1867, of the line to Dolphinton [CR], which crossed almost on the level, put paid to any further re-opening and a smaller tighter curve was put in closer to Carstairs station in 1872.
A stub remained in place for a time used for washing cattle trains. A pumping station was located in the 'V' of the junction.
The Float to Lampits curve has been referred to as the 'Queens Curve', suggesting that it only ever carried one train, for Queen Victoria, once. This is unlikely in the entire 1848 to 1860 period, however it is known to have been used by the Royal Train on its way to Edinburgh several times (and mail trains), the curve allowing the train to run without reversal at Carstairs.
Tags
Junction04/12/2020
| Nearby stations Carstairs Bankhead [Lanarkshire] Carnwath Cleghorn Newbigging [Lanarkshire] Thankerton Lanark Racecourse Lanark Symington [2nd] Symington [1st] Sandilands [Lanarkshire] Auchengray Coulter Biggar Haywood | Float Viaduct Strawfrank Watertroughs Carstairs South Junction Carstairs East Junction Carstairs Shed Lampits Junction Grange Siding Carstairs Mains Carstairs Sand Pit Carstairs Sand Pit Signal Box Tourist/other Pettinain Signal Box Carstairs Hospital Montieth House Carstairs No 1 Signal Box Carstairs Castle |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
The Float'The Float' name comes from a former ferry which used to cross the River Clyde to the east of Float Viaduct - Lampits Ferry. |
Chronology Dates
| 17/09/1860 | Caledonian Railway Float Junction to Lampits Junction traversed by Royal Train. Sometimes described as the opening - but it opened in 1848. In fact this section closed in 1860. |
| / /1863 | Caledonian Railway Approval for the Strawfrank Junction to Dolphinton Junction curve. The curve is required as the Dolphinton Branch (Caledonian Railway) will sever the Lampits Junction to Float Junction curve allowing direct running to Edinburgh Princes Street from the south, rather than reversal at Carstairs. |
