Helensburgh Upper: West Highland Line, Helensburgh Upper Station 156447 Glasgow bound.
Alistair MacKenzie 30/04/2007
Helensburgh Upper
Location type
StationName and dates
Helensburgh Upper (1894-)Station code: HLU National Rail ScotRail
Where: Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Opened on the West Highland Railway.
Opened on the Military Port Number 1 Railway.
Open on the West Highland Line.
Description
This station is open. It is located in the north of Helensburgh, up above the town centre (better served by Helensburgh Central).
It was an island platform station with a typical West Highland Railway chalet style station building and, originally, a typical West Highland signal box.
Most island stations on the West Highland were approached by a subway, this one has a long covered ramp walkway which runs down to the platform. This is unique for this line.
There was a goods yard, Helensburgh Upper Goods, to the east of the station, on the north side of the line. It was accessed, by reversal, from the west.
The loop was greatly extended to the west during the Second World War. This was done by doubling the line to the west although the island platform was not extended. A new signal box was required in 1941.
The up platform track was lifted in 1968 and box closed. The former trackbed has been raised to platform level. The station building has been demolished as has the replacement signal box, although its outline can be seen under the platform stone chippings.
A West Highland Railway style railway cottage is on the east side of Sinclair Street, on the north side of the line.
Local
The Helensburgh Hill House is north of the station.
The route of the Three Lochs Way directly passes the entrance to the station.
Tags
StationExternal links
Canmore site recordNLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67
NLS Map
01/10/2021
Facilities
Gaelic name: Baile Eilidh ÀrdListing: C
| Nearby stations Helensburgh Central Helensburgh Ticket Platform Craigendoran Pier Craigendoran Upper Craigendoran Rhu Faslane Platform Greenock Princes Pier [2nd] Greenock Princes Pier [1st] Shandon Fort Matilda Greenock Cathcart Street [1st] Cardross Greenock Central Greenock West | Helensburgh Upper Goods Helensburgh Shed Helensburgh Gas Works Helensburgh Construction Camp Craigendoran Carriage Sidings Daligan Sand Pit Tourist/other Helensburgh Hill House Woodend Level Crossing Colquhoun Square Helensburgh Pier Baths Inn [Helensburgh] Ardencaple Castle Dalmore House Ardencaple Level Crossing Craigendoran West Signal Box |
| Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. | |
Chronology Dates
| 31/07/1894 | West Highland Railway Helensburgh Upper, Shandon, Garelochhead, Glen Douglas, Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum [WHR], Bridge of Orchy, Gorton, Rannoch, Corrour, Inverlair, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge signal boxes opened. |
| 07/08/1894 | West Highland Railway Public opening from Fort William to Craigendoran. Stations opened at Craigendoran Upper, Helensburgh Upper, Row, Shandon, Garelochhead, Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum [WHR], Bridge of Orchy, Gortan (private), Rannoch, Corrour (private), Inverlair, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William [1st]. |
| 21/12/1941 | West Highland Railway New signal box and longer loop opened at Helensburgh Upper to help with Faslane Military Port traffic. |
| 21/07/1968 | West Highland Railway Glasgow bound track at Helensburgh Upper lifted and signal box closed. |
