List of Great North of Scotland Railway stations explained

When, on 1 January 1923, the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) merged with other railways to become the London and North Eastern Railway, it owned of line. Its main line, from Aberdeen in Scotland to Elgin via Keith, served branches to Fraserburgh and Peterhead, Alford, Oldmeldrum, Macduff, Banff, Boat of Garten and Lossiemouth. The GNoSR operated two routes to Elgin, one via Moray Firth, known as the Coast line, and another via Keith and Craigelliache; these connected with the Highland Railway at Keith and Elgin for services to Inverness. Another line, used by the reigning monarch when they travelled to Balmoral Castle, connected Aberdeen with Ballater.

Main line

The first section of Great North of Scotland's main line opened in 1854 from Kittybrewster to Huntly and was extended two years later to Keith. A through route to Inverness was formed in 1858 when was to become the Highland Railway reached the station and a junction was formed. Services ran to a terminus in Aberdeen at Waterloo from 1856 before Aberdeen joint station opened in 1867. The line was extended at the country end to Dufftown in 1862. Meanwhile, the Morayshire Railway had built a line from Rothes to Craigellachie, and subsequently linked this line to its Elgin station in 1862. This was connected to the GNoSR when the Strathspey Railway opened in 1863.

The GNoSR ran suburban services between Aberdeen and Dyce from 1887 and 1937. The old GNoSR main line west of Keith and the Coast line closed on 6 May 1968; on the same day services were withdrawn from minor intermediate stations. the Aberdeen to Inverness Line uses the former Great North of Scotland Railway line as far Keith, with intermediate stations at,,, and, before continuing over the former Highland Railway route to Inverness.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Aberdeen4 November 1867
18875 April 1937
1 July 18875 April 1937
Waterloo1 April 18564 November 1867Original station in the city, from Kittybrewster.
20 September 18546 May 1968Branch from Waterloo joins main line. Opened as Aberdeen Kittybrewster, moved and name changed to Kittybrewster in 1856, moved again in 1867.
1 July 18875 April 1937
Woodside18585 April 1937
19035 April 1937Renamed Persley Halt in 1926
20 September 18545 March 1957Spelt Buxburn until 1897
Bankhead1 July 18875 April 1937
1 July 18875 April 1937
20 September 18546 May 1968Junction for the Buchan section from 1861, moved when the branch opened. Reopened 15 September 1984 on site of first station.
18747 December 1964
1 December 18547 December 1964
20 September 18547 December 1964Junction for the Alford branch
20 September 1854Junction for the Oldmeldrum branch. Opened as Inverury, renamed in 1866, moved south in 1902.
5 September 18571 October 1951Junction for the Macduff branch
20 September 18546 May 1968
20 September 18546 May 1968
1 December 1854September 1866
20 September 1854
1 December 18545 June 1961
20 September 18546 May 1968
20 September 18546 May 1968Sometimes described as Gartly for Lumsden and Strathdon.
20 September 1854
10 October 18566 May 1968
May 18976 May 1968Named Cairnie Platform before June 1919.
Grange10 October 18566 May 1968Interchange for Portsoy and Banff until the Coast line opened in 1886 with through services from Aberdeen.
10 October 1856Junction with the Highland Railway to from 18 August 1858.
21 February 18626 May 1968Earlsmill until 1897
21 February 18626 May 1968Botriphnie until 1862
21 February 18626 May 1968
21 February 18626 May 1968
1 July 18636 May 1968Junction for the Strathspey branch. Opened as Strathspey Junction, renamed in 1864.
23 December 18586 May 1968Named Craigellachie until 1864.
23 August 18586 May 1968Served by a link to until 31 July 1866
Birchfield7 May 1956
5 June 1863After July 1926Use restricted and renamed Coleburn April 1867
1 January 18626 May 1968
10 August 1852Coast line and Lossiemouth branch, and a through line to the Highland Railway

Buchan section

The Formartine and Buchan Railway built the from Dyce to Old Deer (renamed in 1867) via, which opened on 18 July 1861, Maud becoming a junction when the 16miles line to opened on 24 April 1865. The line was worked by the GNoSR from opening, who absorbed the original railway company on 1 August 1866. A branch from Ellon to and opened in 1897. The line was closed to passengers on 4 October 1965 and completely 8 October 1979.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
18 July 18613 April 1950
Elrick SB
18 July 18614 October 1965Originally New Machar
18 July 18614 October 1965
18 July 18614 October 1965Briefly Newburgh Road on opening.
18 July 186115 September 1951
18 July 18614 October 1965Junction with Cruden section. Known as Ellon for Cruden until 1897.
18 July 18614 October 1965
18 July 18614 October 1965
18 July 18614 October 1965Junction with Peterhead branch. Opened as Brucklay, renamed New Maud Junction on 24 April 1865, Maud Junction in April 1866, and Maud 21 September 1925.
24 April 18654 October 1965
24 April 18654 October 1965
24 April 18654 October 1965
24 April 18654 October 1965
24 April 18654 October 1965Private station, not in public timetable until 1926.
24 April 18654 October 1965

Cruden section

The GNoSR opened a branch from Ellon to Boddam on 2 August 1897 to serve a hotel and golf complex it was building at Cruden Bay. The line closed to passengers on 31 October 1932 and completely on 7 November 1945.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
2 August 189731 October 1932
2 August 189731 October 1932
Hatton2 August 189731 October 1932
2 August 189731 October 1932
Bullers O'Buchan190031 October 1932
2 August 189731 October 1932
2 August 189731 October 1932

Peterhead branch

The line from Dyce to Old Deer (renamed in 1867) was opened on 18 July 1861 by the Formartine and Buchan Railway, and extended the to the following year. The railway was worked by the GNoSR from opening, who absorbed the Formartine and Buchan on 1 August 1866. The branch closed to passengers on 3 May 1965 and completely in 1970.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
18 July 18613 May 1965Opened as Old Deer
3 July 18623 May 1965
3 July 18623 May 1965Variously New Seat and Newseat Halt
3 July 18623 May 1965
3 July 18623 May 1965

St Combs Light Railway

The GNoSR opened the St Combs Light Railway from Fraserburgh to St Combs on 1 July 1903, and it closed on 3 May 1965.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Kirkton Bridge3 May 1965Opened as Kirton Bridge Halt, renamed June 1908
Philorth Bridge Halt1 July 19033 May 1965
1 July 19033 May 1965Known as Inverallochy until 1 September 1903.
1 July 19033 May 1965

Alford branch

The Alford Valley Railway from Kintore to Alford opened on 21 March 1859, worked by the GNoSR, with whom it merged on 1 August 1866. The line closed to passengers on 2 January 1950 and to goods in 1966.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Private
21 March 18592 January 1950
21 March 18592 January 1950
18602 January 1950
21 March 18592 January 1950
21 March 18592 January 1950

Oldmeldrum branch

The Inverury and Old Meldrum Junction Railway from Inverurie to Old Meldrum opened on 26 June 1856, worked by the GNoSR, with whom it merged on 1 August 1866. The line closed to passengers on 2 November 1931 and to goods on 3 January 1966.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
1 July 18562 November 1931
Fingask Platform18662 November 1931In some timetable as Fingask.
1 July 18562 November 1931Opened as Oldmeldrum, name changed about 1902.

Macduff branch

Authorised in 1855 and sponsored by the Great North, the Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction Railway opened a line from Inveramsay to Turriff in 1857, and another company, the Banff, Macduff and Turriff Extension built and opened an extension to Banff & Macduff nearly two years later. The railways were worked by the GNoSR from opening, and merged with it on 1 August 1866. The short extension to Macduff was opened by the GNoSR in 1872, the original terminal closed and demolished. The branch closed to passengers on 1 October 1951, the section north of Turriff completely on 1 August 1961 and completely on 3 January 1966.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
5 September 18571 October 1951
Rothie-Norman5 September 18571 October 1951Opened as Rothie, renamed Rothie-Norman 1 March 1870
5 September 18571 October 1951
5 September 18571 October 1951
5 September 18571 October 1951
4 June 186022 May 1944
4 June 18601 October 1951
4 June 18601 July 1872
1 July 18721 October 1951
1 July 18721 October 1951

Coast line

The railway from Grange to Portsoy via Tillynaught was opened by the Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Railway on 30 July 1859, with full services from 2 August following a derailment on the opening day. The GNoSR operated services from 1863; these ran from Grange to Banff with a connection at Tillynaught. This became an alternate route from Aberdeen to Elgin when the coast line had fully opened in 1886, a new curve allowing direct access from Aberdeen. Cairnie Platform (later Cairnie Junction) was built to allow trains to divide, with portions for Elgin via Craigellachie and the Coast Line. Direct access to Grange from the line was withdrawn after the curve closed on 7 March 1960 and the line closed completely on 6 May 1968.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Knock30 July 18596 May 1968
30 July 18596 May 1968Opened as Barry, closed in 1863. Reopened as Glenbarry in 1872.
30 July 18596 May 1968
30 July 18596 May 1968
30 July 18596 May 1963Station moved in 1884.
1 April 188421 September 1953
1 April 18841 October 1951
1 May 18866 May 1968
1 May 18866 May 1968
1 May 18866 May 1968
1 August 18846 May 1968Also used by Highland Railway services from Keith before 1915.
1 May 18866 May 1968
1 May 18867 March 1960Known as Nether Buckie before 1 January 1887.
1 May 18866 May 1968Known as Port Gordon before 1938.
1 May 18866 May 1968Known as Fochabers and Spey Bay before 1 January 1918.
12 August 18846 May 1968
12 August 18846 May 1968
12 August 18846 May 1968
Lossie Junction SB 12 August 1884Junction with the Lossiemouth branch
10 August 1852Main line via Craigellachie, Lossiemouth branch and a connection with the Highland Railway

Banff branch

This was served from Grange until the Coast line opened in 1886, when services connected at Tillynaught. The branch closed to passengers on 6 July 1964 and completely on 6 May 1968.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
30 July 18596 July 1964Opened as Ordens. Service restricted after October 1863, renamed Ordens Platform by 1911 and service restored and renamed Ordens Halt on 14 July 1924
30 July 18596 July 1964Opened as Lady's Bridge, renamed June 1886
19146 July 1964
19146 July 1964Also known as Banff Golf Club House
Banff30 July 18596 July 1964Known as Banff Harbour until June 1926.

Speyside section

The Strathspey Railway opened on 1 July 1863 between Dufftown and Abernethy (later called Nethy Bridge), via Strathspey Junction (later called Craigellachie) where it joined an extension of the Morayshire Railway. The line from Dufftown north through Craigellachie became the main line, and the railway south to Nethy Bridge, (later extended to Boat of Garten) the branch line. The Strathspey was absorbed by the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1866. The line closed to passengers on 18 October 1965, the section south of Aberlour completely on 4 November 1968 and the remaining section completely 15 November 1971.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
1 July 186318 October 1965
193418 October 1965
1 July 186318 October 1965
15 June 195918 October 1965
1 September 186918 October 1965Private platform, known as Knockando until 1905.
Summer 195918 October 1965
189918 October 1965Known as Dalbeallie until 1905.
1 July 186318 October 1965
1 July 186318 October 1965
1 July 186318 October 1965Moved 1868.
15 June 195918 October 1965
1 July 18631 September 1868Originally spelt Dalvie.
1 July 186318 October 1965
Grantown-on-Spey1 July 186318 October 1965Opened as Grantown, renamed Grantown-on-Spey 1 June 1912 and Grantown-on-Spey East 5 June 1950
15 June 195918 October 1965
1 July 186318 October 1965Opened as Abernethy, renamed in 1867.
Broomhill Junction
3 August 186318 October 1965The Strathspey Railway reached here on 1 August 1866. Joint station with Highland Railway.

Lossiemouth branch

The Lossiemouth branch was built by the Morayshire Railway from its Elgin station on 10 August 1852. Worked by the GNoSR since 1863, the Morayshire Railway was absorbed by the GNoSR in August 1881. The line was closed to passengers on 6 April 1964 and completely two years later.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Lossie Junction
Signal Box
Linksfield10 August 18521859Request stop, did not appear in timetables after 1859.
Greens of Draine10 August 18521859Request stop, did not appear in timetables after 1859.
10 August 18526 April 1964

Deeside section

The Deeside Railway opened from Ferryhill to Banchory on 8 September 1853 and services were extended to Guild Street when this opened the following year. A new company, the Aboyne Extension opened the line to Aboyne in 1859, and the Aboyne & Braemar Railway extended the line to Ballater in 1866. The Aberdeen joint station became the terminus when this opened in 1867. The Deeside Railway was leased by the GNoSR from 1866 who absorbed the Deeside Railway on 1 August 1875 and the Aboyne & Braemar Railway on 31 January 1876. The line closed to passengers on 28 February 1966, the section west of Culter completely on 18 July 1966 and the remaining section completely 2 January 1967.

StationDistanceOpenedClosedNotes
Aberdeen (Joint)4 November 1867
Ferryhill Junction
signal box
2 July 18945 April 1937
January 18565 April 1937Closed 1876–1885
2 July 18945 April 1937
8 September 185328 February 1966Station moved 1855.
1 August 18945 April 1937
1 June 18975 April 1937
8 September 18535 April 1937
18545 April 1937
8 September 185328 February 1966
January 185410 September 1951
Park8 September 185328 February 1966
8 September 18531 January 1863
8 September 185328 February 1966Private platform, replaced Mills of Drum as public station from 1863
8 September 185328 February 1966Station moved in 1859 and 1902
6 February 196128 February 1966
2 December 185928 February 1966
2 December 185928 February 1966
2 December 185928 February 1966
2 December 185928 February 1966
2 December 185928 February 1966
17 October 186628 February 1966
187628 February 1966
17 October 186628 February 1966

Notes and references

Books

. Alan Jowett. March 1989. 1st . Jowett's Railway Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland: From Pre-Grouping to the Present Day . Patrick Stephens Ltd . 1-8526-0086-1.

External links

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Great North of Scotland Railway stations".

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