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This is a two platform station with a passing loop on the Far North Line. The main station building, of two storeys, is on the southbound platform. This has similarities to that at Golspie, by the same architect William Fowler. Platforms are linked by a typical Highland Railway lattice footbridge.

This was the terminus of the line, replacing the temporary terminus at West Helmsdale, until extension to Thurso and Wick in 1874.

North of the station there was a goods yard on the east side and the two road Helmsdale Shed on the west side of the line. Both were originally approached via their respective reversing spurs from the south, but on extension the shed's reversing spur was converted into a loop and so became accessible from both north and south. The shed's turntable was on the west side of its approach.

Water columns were provided on both platforms. The water tank was above the northbound platform.

The original signal box,opened on extension, was replaced with two boxes. The north box was on the west side at the north end of the loop alongside the shed's northern exit. The south box still stands. It is on the platform just north of the station building. Both boxes closed in 1985 on replacement by RETB and control from Dingwall.

The station building has been converted to provide accommodation. Helmsdale Station

Local

The name Helmsdale is an anglicisation of the norse 'Hjalmundal' ie helm(et) dale.

Helmsdale was a planned village, laid out in 1814 at the mouth of the River Helmsdale ostensibly as a settlement for those displaced during Highland Clearances carried out for George Leveson-Gower, 1st Duke of Sutherland, and Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland.

Their grandson, George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland, was heavily involved in the Highland Railway, Sutherland Railway, Duke of Sutherland's Railway and Sutherland and Caithness Railway.

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