Coatbridge & Airdrie
(The Monklands)
Page 5 - The Current Situation and the Future


 Figure 2: Map of lines in the Monklands Area still in use.

Current Situation and The Future.

Thanks to Strathclyde Passenger Transport, the area is well served by passenger trains (despite the emergency timetables of 2002).  There is a however a definite feeling of "could do better".  I can't help thinking that an opportunity has been missed during the recent North Glasgow resignalling project, which has extended the Cowlairs power box control area to Gartsherrie, to re-establish the connection between Gunnie yard and the main line and route the Cumbernauld - Motherwell services via Sunnyside Junction and the ex N.B route to Whifflet.  The electric services from Glasgow via Motherwell could have been integrated with the North bank services, giving a "Super-Circle" from Partick via Queen Street Low Level to Sunnyside Junction then swing south via Mossend to Motherwell and back to Partick via Motherwell and Hamilton.  During the major reconstruction work at Newton in 1991, Partick to Lanark services followed this route as far as Motherwell.  A new station could have been built right at the centre of Coatbridge on the site of the original North British Central station, allowing the closure of the derelict Coatbridge Central, which must detract potential customers due to its dreadful condition. At Whifflet, an extra platform would need to be added, but this would have the benefit of allowing cross platform connections into the line to Glasgow via Carmyle and Rutherglen Junction.  The service on the Carmyle line is currently badly timed for connections into the electric service preventing journeys from, for example, Baillieston to Hamilton.  This service also could be developed, as the DMU has to travel as far a Mossend Yard to reverse.  Surely it would be more sensible to literally “go that extra mile” and run the trains up to Holytown, thus restoring an old traditional service!
Freight traffic originating in the area remains concentrated solely at the Freightliner Terminal at Gartsherrie, and any further developments are very much a topic of speculation.  Suggestions have been made that the Airdrie to Bathgate line may be reopened to serve the open cast coal mines being developed near Plains, but despite the formation being largely intact, cost would appear to be prohibitive.  This project would rely on a possible reinstatement initially for passenger services, and  feasibility plans are still being discussed.  Sadly the reintroduction of cement traffic to the Castle Cement factory would now seem unlikely.


Originally Published June 1999   Jim Howie
Totally Revised January - June 2002.

Appendix 1   Bibliography and Credits

The following Books were used for source material for this site

1)"A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Vol.6 - Scotland, The Lowlands and Borders" by John Thomas, (Revised by Alan S. Paterson)
2) "Scottish Railway Locomotives", published by the Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries Dept. Available from Glasgow Transport Museum
3) "Coatbridge - Three Centuries of Change", by Peter Drummond and James Smith, published by Monklands Library Services Dept.
4) "The Garnkirk and Glasgow Railway", by Don Martin, published by Strathkelvin district libraries and museums.
5) "The Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway", also by Don Martin, published by Strathkelvin district libraries and museums.
6) " B.R. Steam Motive Power Depots - ScR", by Paul Bolger, published by Ian Allan
7) "The Complete B.R. Diesel and Electric Locomotive Directory " by Colin Marsden published by O.P.C.
8) "The Caledonian Railway", by O.S. Nock published by Ian Allan
9) "Lanarkshire's Mining Heritage", by Guthrie Hutton
10) " The Register of Scottish Signalboxes", by Forbes Alexander & E. S. Nicholl
11) " Xpress complete allocation History of LNER locomotives", by ?????etc
12) "Steam for Scrap - The Complete Story" by ????, publishd by ?????

Gratefull thanks are due to the Following Companies & Individuals
 
Source Website
Jim Watson Many invaluable photographs which can be found throughout the site
Ewan Crawford Inspiration, information (including photographs) and technical assistance
www.railscot.co.uk
Geoff Cryer Photographs of Bedlay branch and R.B. Tennants "Robin"
http://www.geoffspages.co.uk
John Lynch Information about Kipps, Mosside and Leaend
"The Penny Project"
Grant Cullen Information about the R.B. Tennent locomotives
Archie Noble Permission to use the N.B.Crest & Photographs on the Kipps Page
The North British 
Railway Study Group
P. Carless & A.F. Robertson of Sheffield Rollmasters Information on R.B. Tennants History.
Dave Williams Permission to use the list of coal mines
Mariam Yamin of Boots P.L.C. Ariel photograph of Boots Factory and Associated Information
Dave Campbell  Photograph on Kipps Page
Railway Society of Scotland
John H. Wright  Photograph on Kipps Page
http://home.freeuk.com/nmrabr
Gary Lennon Photograph on Coatbridge Page. Gary's website has photographs and information on the current railway scene in the area
"Tartan Tracks"
James Craig Photographs on Coatbridge, Whifflet and Sunnyside Pages. This website also has photographs and information on the current railway scene in the area
"Anoraksia Locotus"
Andrew Lait Assistance in compling list of locomotives allocated to Kipps
Various others Information posted by various members of the excellent Scotrail Group on Yahoo! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scot-rail/

Appendix 2 Published Photographs of the Monklands.

Photograph of the area can be found in the following books.
**With their downright unhelpful attitude concerning my research, my personal recommendation is to obtain Stenlake books through your local library **
 
Location Date Book Page Author  Publisher
Class 4 2-6-4T on a local train passing Gartsherrie Station May-62 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 0 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
Airdrie North Goods Station Building Oct-55 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 4 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Plains Station Dec-55 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 5 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Clarkston Station Sep-55 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 6 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Calder Station Apr-55 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 7 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
View of Coatbridge Fountain and Central (N.B.) Station 1930's Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 11 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Baillieston Station 1908 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 19 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Rawyards Station Oct-55 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 30 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
Ex Cal. 0-6-0 57581 on railtour at Newhouse 09/06/1962 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 35 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
View taken from Road Bridge at Whifflet North Junction, showing Yard and High Level Station 1930's Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 44 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
View from Whifflet High Level Station showing 2-6-4T no 42206 on a local passenger working Aug-61 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 51 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
General View of Gartcosh Station Apr-62 Lanarkshire's Lost Railways 52 Gordon Stansfield Stenlake Publishing
Class 4MT 2-6-4T No 42201 at Langloan Station 20/06/1961 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 1 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
"Glen Douglas" and "City of Truro" at Langloan Junction 19/09/1959 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 2 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Y9 saddle tank 68123 shunting in the yard at the North British Tube Works, Coatbridge 18/06/1959 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 3 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Clas N2 0-6-2T No 69596 coming off the Gunnie Branch at Sunnyside Junction 12/06/1956 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 4 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
J36 0-6-0 No. 65249 and J35 0-6-0 N0 64534 at Kipps Shed 30/04/1960 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 5 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Class 7P 4-6-2 No. 70041 " Sir John Moore" on a Perth Train at Coatbridge Central 05/03/1966 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 6 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Cal. Rly 4-4-0 No. 54462 at Gartsherrie North Junction 24/01/1956 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 6 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Class 4MT 2-6-4T No. 42689 leaving Drumpark Starion 22/09/1961 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 7 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
Class 5MT 4-6-0 No. 45485 at Airdrie with a Football Special from Motherwell 02/01/1956 Lanarkshires Last Days of Steam 8 W.A.C. Smith Stenlake Publishing
J36 on the Airdrie (Cal.) Branch approaching Cairnhill from the Airdrie Direction 26/12/1959 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 217 George C. O'Hara.  
D8072 on a Glasgow to Newcastle Summer Reliefat Forrestfield 15/07/1961 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 220 George C. O'Hara.  
08732 leaving the Moffat Mills Branch with Hoppers from Inverhouse Distillers 24/07/1974 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 221 George C. O'Hara.  
20099 at Bedley Exchange sidings on the last day of operation 09/12/1981 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 243 George C. O'Hara.  
20125 on the Imperial branch crossing Coatdyke Viaduct 28/03/1985 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 250 George C. O'Hara.  
20125 on the Imperial branch viewde looking towards Cairnhill 28/03/1985 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 251 George C. O'Hara.  
37292 passing Whifflet Basin sidings with Cement Hoppers from the Clyde Cement Works 10/01/1985 Scottish Urban & Rural Branch Lines 326 George C. O'Hara.  
20099 at Bedley Exchange sidings on the last day of operation 09/12/1981 Diesels on the Regions - Scottish Region 51 Tom Noble Oxford Publishing Co.
20039 approaching Whifflet North Junction from the Mossend Direction 05/09/1980 Diesels on the Regions - Scottish Region 53 Tom Noble Oxford Publishing Co.
D6116 at Gartcosh brick works 20/04/1962 Diesels on the Regions - Scottish Region 54 Tom Noble Oxford Publishing Co.
D2736 on the M&K at Middlemuir Jnc. 02/04/1966 Diesels on the Regions - Scottish Region 56 Tom Noble Oxford Publishing Co.
D2736 on the M&K at Whitegates 02/04/1966 The Last Trains (2) Glasgow and Central Scotland 3    
Cal. 0-6-0 No. 57581 at Newhouse 09/06/1962 The Last Trains (2) Glasgow and Central Scotland 8    
Cal. 0-6-0 No. 57581 at Airdrie (Cal.) 09/06/1962 The Last Trains (2) Glasgow and Central Scotland 9    
DMU at Whifflet Upper 03/10/1964 The Last Trains (2) Glasgow and Central Scotland 20    
Airdrie Station (present photo 27/07/96) 26/03/1960 B.R., Past & Present. Vol 31, North West Scotland 157 K. Sanders/D. Hodgins  
Airdrie Station (present photo 27/07/96) 26/03/1960 B.R., Past & Present. Vol 31, North West Scotland 158 K. Sanders/D. Hodgins  
Whifflet Upper (present photo 27/07/96) 01/09/1959 B.R., Past & Present. Vol 31, North West Scotland 159 K. Sanders/D. Hodgins  
D2413 stabled at Whifflet May-72 Diesels & Electric's on Shed vol. 4, Scottish Region 144 Rex Kennedy  
Carnbroe Locomotive Dump, (yard at the junction of the Rosehall branches) 20/06/1962 ".....And Gone Forever" 229 Colin Gifford  
LMS 5MT No.44725 on a Perth to Euston Express approaching Coatbridge Central from the North. 01/07/1955 Scottish Railways - Then and Now 15 Gavin Morrison Ian Allen
Classes 101 and 156, same view as above 22/10/1998 Scottish Railways - Then and Now 15 Gavin Morrison Ian Allen
LNER J38 No. 65911 leaving Airdrie Station on an eastbound mineral train, taken from the bridge carrying the line into the Caledonian Station  24/04/1961 Scottish Railways - Then and Now 213 Gavin Morrison Ian Allen
303008 Leaving Airdrie for Drumgelloch, taken from the Road Bridge further to the East 22/10/1998 Scottish Railways - Then and Now 213 Gavin Morrison Ian Allen
LNER J36 No. 65285 (with cut down cab & chimney) on shed at Kipps 13/05/1956 Scottish Steam in the 1950's and 60's 53 David Anderson OPC
LNER J36 No. 65214 on shed at Kipps 13/05/1956 Scottish Steam in the 1950's and 60's 154 David Anderson OPC
LNER Y9 No. 68116 on shed at Kipps 13/05/1956 Scottish Steam in the 1950's and 60's 156 David Anderson OPC
LNER J88 No. 68345 in storage at Kipps 30/03/1963 Steam Portraits 1960-1966 31 Brian J. Dickson Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd
LNER J88 No. 68350 in storage at Kipps 30/03/1963 Steam Portraits 1960-1966 30 Brian J. Dickson Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd
LNER Y9 No. 68104 in storage at Kipps 30/03/1963 Steam Portraits 1960-1966 30 Brian J. Dickson Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd
R. B Tennant loco "Denis" shuntin at Whifflet Foundry 18/06/1980 Steam Renaissance 34 Tom Heavyside Bracken Books
LNER J36 No. 65285 (with cut down cab & chimney) on shed at Kipps   British Railways Locomotives and Locoshed Book 1959 163   Ian Allen
Eastern End of Kipps Shed. Locmotives visible are V1 2-6-2T No.67623 & J36 0-6-0 No.65216. 1961 B.R. Steam Motive Power Depots - ScR 65 Paul Bolger Ian Allen
Western End of Kipps Shed, With J36 0-6-0 No.65214 & J83 0-6-0T No.68444 1958 B.R. Steam Motive Power Depots - ScR 67 Paul Bolger Ian Allen
Western End of Kipps Shed, With Y9 0-4-0ST No.68114 1960 B.R. Steam Motive Power Depots - ScR 66 Paul Bolger Ian Allen
LNER J36 No. 65285 (with cut down cab & chimney) on shed at Kipps (Colour Photo)   Steam on Shed p171 John Stretton Blandford Press
General view of Kipps Shed from the East, with J37 0-6-0 No.64579 and (probably) 65285 again   The Handbook of Steam Motive Power Depots vol 4 Northern England & Scotland 43 Paul Smith Platform 5
Kipps M.P.D. B.R., Past & Present. Vol 31, North West Scotland 156 K. Sanders/D. Hodgins
Site of Kipps MPD after demolition   B.R., Past & Present. Vol 31, North West Scotland 156 K. Sanders/D. Hodgins