This junction was formed in 1862 with the opening of the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway as far as Dingwall. The new line connected with the Inverness Harbour branch of the Inverness and Nairn Railway of 1855.
For the new line's trains to reach Inverness station reversal would be necessary and instead a new curving line served new platforms alongside the existing terminal platforms. This led to the triangular junction which still exists today.
A signal box opened at the junction in 1867.
A level crossing crossed the line to Welsh's Bridge Junction close to the junction. On the north side of that line was a loading bank on the Inverness Harbour line, served from the west.
In 1898 the Direct Line from Aviemore via Slochd Summit opened, leading to a rebuilding of much of Inverness and replacement of the signal boxes.
The line from Welsh's Bridge Junction through Rose Street Junction]] to the Ness Viaduct was doubled, a new signal box being opened at Rose Street Junction, on the south side of the junction and a box cantilevered off the Ness Viaduct at the western end of the double track (the viaduct and line north being single).
At the beginning of the Great War when the Grand Fleet was relocated to Scapa Flow the Inverness Ammunition Depot was established on the Inverness Harbour branch, approached from Rose Street. This depot was laid out on the north side the the branch on a gentle curve, running north west to the depot which was close to the River Ness quaysides.
The signal box was relocated into the 'V' of the junction in 1918. Its front was orientated to face the 'V' of the junction and it was moved 110 yards. In its new location the box was close to the northern end of the north end platforms.
In 1934 Ness Viaduct box was replaced, motorised points being installed, and Rose Street took over.
In preparation for a further resignalling the line east to Millburn Junction via Welsh's Bridge Junction was singled in 1987.
The box closed in 1987, replaced by the Inverness Signalling Centre.
Nearby stations Inverness Innes Street Ticket Platform Inverness Inverness Harbour [Station] Clachnaharry Ness Islands Railway Bunchrew Allanfearn Munlochy Lentran Allangrange Castle Stuart Platform Daviot Culloden Moor Avoch Redcastle | Needlefield Carriage Sidings Inverness Signalling Centre Inverness MPD Inverness Goods Needlefield Goods Inverness Ammunition Depot Inverness Shed Inverness Harbour Ness Viaduct Welsh^s Bridge Platform Welsh^s Bridge Junction Tourist/other Inverness Bus Station Station Hotel [Inverness] Inverness Castle Cromwell^s Fort [Inverness] |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
FootbridgesRose Street in Inverness was known for the Rose Street Foundry which made many railway objects, such as lattice footbridges for the Highland Railway. |