Thornhill was a two platform station. It remains largely intact with platforms and two storey station building on the southbound platform. It is an excellent survivor. The station was north east of the town, about a mile.
There were sidings on either side of the line, south of the station, those on the town (west) side becoming the main goods yard. Some extra sidings were later provided on the east side, north of the station. These served the Nithsdale Auction Mart to the immediate north.
A mineral line ran from the south end of the station east and north to Gatelawbridge Quarry.
A new signal box was provided in 1943 when the headshunts south of the station were converted into loops due to increased wartime traffic. The ARP design box is on the east side of the line and south of the former station. The station closed to goods in 1955 and completely in 1965.
As part of the improvements to the capacity of the line in 2008 a loop was installed on the southbound side, south of the former station.
The station building has been painted in recent years covering the stonework. The platform canopy has been removed.
Nearby stations Closeburn Carronbridge Crossford Auldgirth Kirkland Moniaive Dunscore Stepford Wanlockhead Holywood [1st] Irongray Newtonairds Holywood [2nd] Glengonnar Amisfield | Gatelawbridge Quarry Newton Quarry Carronhill Glen (Newlands) Viaduct Cample Water Viaduct Cample Mill Closeburn Quarry Signal Box Gill Water Viaduct Carron Water Viaduct Drumlanrig Tunnel Enterkin Burn Viaduct Priestcrown Wood Embankment Ballochan Linn Viaduct Tourist/other Morton Castle Drumlanrig Castle Ardoch Signal Box |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
28/10/1850 | Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway completed by opening between Old Cumnock and Closeburn. Stations at New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Sanquhar and Thornhill. Sidings opened at Mennock Summit for the Leadhills and Wanlockhead mines. The nearest passenger station on the line was at Sanquhar, slightly further west. |
26/06/2000 | Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway Loop opened on the southbound line (up side) at Thornhill, just east of the former station. This aided capacity of the line with its long single track section from Gretna to Annan (since re-doubled). |
An Illustrated History of Carlisle's Railways | Carlisle To Beattock: including the Dumfries Branch (Scottish Main Lines) | The Glasgow & South Western Railway a History |