This station was rebuilt several times due to subsidence. The original station opened to serve the Leven Railway. It was immediately south of Thornton North Junction, between the Burntisland to Ladybank line and the Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway). It was bypassed by the Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway) until later.
The second version of the station had an overall roof. In its final form it was an island platform with bays at either end. Access was by a footbridge at its northern end. An additional platform existed to the east for the Buckhaven route. A curve was laid south of the station running to the west in 1888, allowing passenger trains from the Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway) to use the station. Thornton Shed [1st] was to open on this curve, to the north of the running lines. This shed was to be relocated to a larger site further west. There was a signal box at the south end of the station on the west side of the junction. Initially called 'Thornton Station' on opening it became 'Thornton Central' around 1884-88.
The station closed in 1969. The former station to west curve and the box were to close in 1973.
Little trace of the station remains today.
Nearby stations Thornton Junction [W&BR] Glenrothes with Thornton West Wemyss Markinch Wemyss Castle Dysart Sinclairtown [2nd] Sinclairtown [1st] Cameron Bridge [1st] Buckhaven Cameron Bridge Leslie Kirkcaldy Methil Falkland Road | Crane Thornton North Junction Thornton Shed [1st] Thornton East Junction Balgonie Disposal Point Thornton West Junction [1st] Lochty Bleachfield Works Thornton South Junction Balgonie Colliery Lochtyside Pit Middlefield Engine House Thornton Colliery Thornton Wagon Works Balgonie Colliery Julian Pit Tourist/other Thornton North Signal Box [2nd] Balgonie Level Crossing |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
13/12/1849 | Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway) Dunfermline Branch opened from Thornton Junction to Dunfermline. Stations opened at Halbeath. |
17/06/1853 | Leven Railway Authorised from Thornton Junction to Leven [1st]. |
03/07/1854 | Leven Railway Line opened from Thornton Junction to Leven [1st]. |
01/07/1923 | Edinburgh and Northern Railway Thornton renamed Thornton Junction. |
10/01/1955 | Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway Methil to Thornton Junction closed to passengers. |
02/12/1963 | Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway Thornton Junction to West Wemyss closed to freight |
06/10/1969 | Leven Railway
East of Fife Railway Leven [2nd] to Thornton Junction closed to passengers. |
06/10/1969 | Edinburgh and Northern Railway Sinclairtown, Dysart, Thornton Junction stations closed. |
/12/1972 | Leven Railway Thornton Junction to Kirkland Yard singled |