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This was the junction between the Muirkirk branch and the Gass Water branch, named for the water course running south west off the high ground to the east of the railway. The branch saw a variety of uses over its lifetime; limestone, coal and baryte being extracted. The location was at Carbellow Farm. The spelling of the name 'Gass Water' has varied. The water course is the Gass Water but the spellings Gasswater, Gaswater and other variations have been commonly used.

The branch initially ran parallel with the main line, climbing hard and, after a short length of running parallel with it, turning east. The connection was originally made via double headshunts, protecting the main line. The Carbello Lye siding was located here.

The branch, originally private, initially served the Gasswater Pit (there were several pits of this name), Gass Water Lime Works (reached via another pair of reversing spurs) and Dalfad Pit. The branch, as far as Cairn Hill, came to be owned by the Glasgow and South Western Railway. With the working out of these there were a periods of disuse.

A signal box opened at the junction in 1881. It closed in 1906.

The Gass Water Barytes Mine, opening in 1917, was linked by narrow gauge railway to a rail served preparation area at Cairn Hill. The n.g. railway was extended south east and an aerial ropeway connected the mines to Cairn Hill.

The main line to Muirkirk [2nd] closed to passengers in 1951.

Cairnhill 1,2 Mine opened in 1952, served by the branch. The junction was altered to allow direct running, rather than use of headshunts. Gass Water Exchange Sidings were laid in the 'V' of the junction. The locomotive from the mine would run down to the exchange sidings at the head of the train but would push the train from the rear when returning uphill.

The Barytes works closed in 1964.

North east to Muirkirk [2nd] closed altogether in 1969.

The railway closed in 1976, official closure was in 1978. Cairnhill 1,2 Mine closed in 1977.

The site is now partly covered by expansion of Carbellow Farm. Some buildings remain on the main line nearby. The main line trackbed to either side of the junction remains intact and the first mile or so of the branch is intact.

The course of the Gass Water was also served by a short early branch from Welltrees Siding on the main line, to the north east of Gass Water Branch Junction.

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