Torrance railway station explained

Torrance
Status:Disused
Borough:East Dunbartonshire
Country:Scotland
Grid Name:Grid reference
Platforms:1
Pregroup:North British Railway
Postgroup:London and North Eastern Railway
Years:1 October 1879
Events:Station opens
Years1:2 April 1951
Events1:Station closes[1]
Years2:1959
Events2:Line closed to freight

Torrance railway station was opened in 1879 on the Kelvin Valley Railway and served the area of the village of Torrance in East Dunbartonshire until 1951 for passengers and 1959 for freight.

History

Opened by the North British Railway, it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway during the Grouping of 1923. The line passed to the Scottish Region of British Railways upon nationalisation in 1948 who then officially closed Torrance in 1951.[2] The line suffered greatly from competition by bus services. The station was however located conveniently in the centre of the village.

In 1956 the Torrance to Kelvin Valley East Junction closed and the surviving section of the west part of the line was utilised for drivers being trained to use DMU's. In 1959 the Torrance to Balmore section was closed. In 1960 an SLS enthusiasts' railtour ran on the line, hauled by the preserved locomotive 'Glen Douglas'.

Infrastructure

The station had a single platform with a small brick built station building that was located on the northern side of the line. In 1896 a passing loop was present together with two sidings, one ending at a loading dock and a signal box.[3] [4] In 1914 the signalbox is shown on the western end of the platform and a weighing machine is indicated in the goods yard and a crane in the goods yard.[5] [6] A road overbridge stood to the east of the station.

The site today

In 1981 the site was redeveloped for private housing and the platform was demolished.

References

Sources

55.94°N -4.2115°W

Notes and References

  1. Wignal (1983), Page 65
  2. Book: Quick, M. E.. Railway passenger stations in England, Scotland and Wales – a chronology. 2002. Railway and Canal Historical Society. Richmond. 424. 931112387.
  3. https://maps.nls.uk/view/75650166 Lanarkshire Sheet I.NE (includes: Baldernock; Cadder; Campsie) Publication date:1899 Date revised:1896
  4. https://maps.nls.uk/view/82891359 Lanarkshire I.4 & II.1 (Cadder; Campsie; Kirkintilloch) Publication date:1897 Revised:1896
  5. https://maps.nls.uk/view/75650163 Lanarkshire Sheet I.NE (includes: Baldernock; Cadder; Campsie) Publication date:1914 Date revised: 1910
  6. https://maps.nls.uk/view/82907127 Stirlingshire nXXXII.4 (Cadder; Campsie; Kirkintilloch) Publication date:1918 Revised:1914 Levelled: 1897