A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
Girvan and Portpatrick Railway, The, extends from Girvan, the terminus in Ayrshire of the Glasgow and South-Western railway, to a junction with the Portpatrick Railway at East Challoch, near Dunragit, in the parish of Glenluce and county of Wigtown. In 1846 there was projected the Glasgow and Belfast Union railway, a line proposed to leave Ayr for Girvan and proceed southwards into Galloway. The powers then obtained only covered the line to Maybole and Girvan, although the extended line was in contemplation. The project was allowed to lapse, and the line to Maybole was not opened till 1856 (under an act obtained in 1854); in 1860, under a later act, the line was opened to Girvan. In 1865 the Girvan and Portpatrick railway was sanctioned, but the matter lay in abeyance; and in 1870 the time for completing the line was extended, a further extension of time being obtained in 1873. The first sod was cut in Sept. 1871, and in Oct. 1876 the railway was opened for traffic. The line is 30¾ miles long, with a single line of rails. Crossing Girvan Water, it ascends a steep gradient for 4 miles, passes through a tunnel of 500 yards, and crosses the Stinchar and the Dhuisk on important bridges. After passing Barrhill it follows the valley of Cross Water of Luce, and crosses the Luce by a viaduct of ten arches. In the course of the construction of the line, the works were seriously damaged by floods; and, from an estimated cost of £330, 000, the capital expenditure advanced to a sum of £532,000. The railway was at first worked by the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Company under an experimental agreement, and afterwards on stated terms. The railway, however, having fallen into financial difficulties, a judicial factor was appointed by the Court of Session in 1881; and the line, which for a time was used as a rapid through route between Glasgow and Stranraer, was, after being shut for a brief period, resumed for the accommodation of local traffic. In 1882, under a new act, powers were obtained to reconstruct the company and to develop its capabilities as a through line. The stations on the line are Girvan, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Barrhill, Glenwhilly, and New Luce.
(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)
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| Administrative units: | Ayrshire ScoCnty Wigtownshire ScoCnty |
| Place: | Girvan |
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