Location type

Names and dates

Note: text in square brackets is added for clarity and was not part of the location's name.

Description

This is a two platform station 3/4 of a mile south east of the town of Lochwinnoch. It is a modern minimal station with a car park. Barr Loch is to the west and Castle Semple to the north. 'Loch Winnoch' may have referred to the area before drainage created the two lochs.

The original station opened with the line. It had two platforms and a goods yard on the west side of the line, reached by reversal from the Glasgow bound platform. The yard was expanded and access directly from the south added. The main station building was on the Glasgow bound platform, closest to the town. The signal box was south of the station, on the east side of the line.

In 1905 a new railway opened parallel to the existing Glasgow to Ayr line which effectively quadrupled the line. This new line had a station, Lochwinnoch [2nd], which better served the town. As a result the existing station was renamed Lochside to avoid confusion. (Lochside House is to the north east.)

Probably due to its rural location, the more suitable station closer to the town and a desire to improve train times the station closed in 1955. However Lochwinnoch [2nd] was to close, with the parallel line, in 1966.

With that closure the station re-opened in 1966. It was renamed Lochwinnoch in 1985. The signal box closed in 1986, replaced by the Paisley Signalling Centre. The railway was electrified in 1986.

Local

Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

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