(The route of the Garnkirk and Glasgow)
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(The route of the Garnkirk and Glasgow) |
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The former Caledonian main line from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Greenhill
Lower Junction was built in four sections, the first being the original
section of the Garnkirk and Glasgow from Townhead Station to Gartsherrie
in 1843. This was followed by the section between Garnqueen
South and Greenhill built by the Caledonian itself in 1848 and the branch
from Milton Junction down into Buchanan Street in 1849
It is interesting to note that the last section, the Hayhill Fork between
Gartcosh Junction and Garnqueen North Junction was not built until 1866,
17
years after the opening of Buchanan Street station in Glasgow, and
it was a further four years before passenger services were routed over
this section. Until then the Caledonian seemed quite happy to use
Queen St. Station as the terminus for their services from the North - surely
a portent for the future!
After the closure of the Buchanan Street terminus on the 11th of November
1966 and the transfer of all passenger services to Queen Street via the
North British line through Croy and Lenzie, the line very nearly became
a freight only route, and it was only after considerable political pressure
that a local passenger service was retained between Springburn and Cumbernauld.
As a result of being a secondary route, the line retailed much of it's
original infrastructure, although the section between Sighthill and Gartcosh
had been progressively stripped of all signalling since the early 1960's
(see diagram above). This left a long section which until the recent
resignalling program, restricted the line capacity.
Garnqueen North Junction, West elevation
Souvenir ticket from the anniversary specials.
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Garnqueen North Junction signal box - front elevation
A class 150 approaches Garnqueen North Junction from the Glasgow line, working a service run in conjunction with the steam specials  60532 passes Garnqueen North box on Sunday 3rd of October 1993 working one of the special services run that day to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Glasgow to Edinburgh main line.  Earlier that year, on the 18th September 60532 worked north from Carlisle on an SRPS charter "The Fair Maid", seen here approaching Greenfoot  Bread and Butter at Greenfoot, a class 156 heads towards Glasgow on a service from Cumbernauld. P.W equipment is stored in the C.C.E. siding. On the 27th June 1981 the 150th aniversary of the Glasgow, Garnkirk and Coatbridge was celebrated with an open day at Glasgow (St Rollox) works, and a steam shuttle was run between the works and here. The trains, headed by L.M.S. Black 5 no.5025 and N.B.R. J36 "Maud", terminated in the loop. 
A general view of Greenfoot Signal Cabin
A class 37 approaches Greenfoot from the east with a tanker train of petroleum products which has probably originated at Grangemouth. The splitting distant shows that the signalman at Garnqueen North junction has set the route and cleared the signals for the line into Glasgow.  An HST on a diverted Sunday working from Glasgow to Kings Cross heads east from Greenfoot towards Cumbernauld.  Just to the east of Greenfoot there is an overbridge carrying the Annathill to Bedlay road, which affords an excellent view of the line. Here a diverted Edinburgh to Glasgow Sunday service passes Greenfoot's distant signal, which was distinctive in having a black and white striped post.  An SRPS charter at the same location as above, It was diesel hauled as far as Glasgow when Black 5 no. 5407 took over. I think the date was January 2nd 1993.  On the 22nd of May 1994, another SRPS railtour is seen entering Cumbernauld station with 37505 and 37510. This tour was to Carlisle and returned behind LMS Black 5 no. 44737 "Stephenson" (There is a photograph of the steam hauled return leg oin the Central Coatbridge page )  The "Fair Maid" excursion again, taking a water stop in Cumbernauld station while 156431 forms a Glasgow service in the opposite platform  Another view of 37505 and 37510, with Cumbernauld box in the background. For some reason the tour was formed by the B.R. owned maroon stock and not the society's own vehicles. The class 37's were given Intercity livery for a brief time for use on sleeper workings.  When the Glasgow to Edinburgh services were diverted via this route on Sundays, Scotrail had the good sense to make an advertised stop at Cumbernauld. 47707 "Holyrood" restarts an Edinburgh bound service  One last shot of the "Fair Maid" excursion, this time in Cumbernauld Glen |
