Irongray
The site of Irongray railway station
General information
LocationDunscore, Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland
Grid referenceNX917803
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyCairn Valley Light Railway
Pre-groupingGlasgow and South Western Railway
Post-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 March 1905Opened
3 May 1943Closed to passengers
4 July 1949Closed to freight

Irongray was one of the principal stations on the Cairn Valley Light Railway branch, from Dumfries. It served a rural area in Dumfries and Galloway The line was closed to passengers during WW2.[1] Cairn Valley Junction lay to the east.

History

The CVR was nominally independent, but was in reality controlled by the Glasgow and South Western Railway.[2] The line was closed to passengers on 3 May 1943, during WW2[1] and to freight on 4 July 1949,[3] and the track lifted in 1953.

The station cost £212 to build in red brick with cream painted poster boards and chocolate-coloured framing. The extension over the front was covered with red tiles, as was the main roof. A booking office and waiting room was provided.[4] A station master's house was provided, designed by the company with a pyramid roof truncated by a central chimney stack.[4] The shelter had been demolished by 1949.[4] The stationmaster's house survives as a private dwelling.

An accident took place at Irongray in 1911 when a passenger train ran into a goods train that was sitting in the passing loop. No serious injuries were incurred.[5] After 1936 the passing loop was not necessary as the line was operated on a 'one engine in steam' principle; it was removed, however the signal box remained.[6] A level crossing with gates was nearby, interlocked with the signals so that trains could not enter the station unless the gates were closed against road traffic.[7] An electrical ground disc signal controlled the movement of trains from the siding onto the main line.[8]

Trains were controlled by a 'lock and block' system whereby the trains operated treadles on the single line to interact with the block instruments.[2]

See also

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 Awdry, page 64
  2. 1 2 Sanders, page 50
  3. ↑ Thomas, page 203
  4. 1 2 3 Kirkpatrick, Page 21
  5. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Page 49
  6. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Page 69
  7. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Page 91
  8. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Page 89
Sources
  • Awdry, Christopher (1990). Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-8526-0049-7. OCLC 19514063. CN 8983.
  • Kirkpatrick, Ian (2000). The Cairn Valley Light Railway. Usk : The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-567-5.
  • Sanders, Keith and Hodgins, Douglas (1995). British Railways. Past and Present South West Scotland. No. 19. ISBN 1-85895-074-0.
  • Thomas, David St John & Whitehouse, Patrick (1993). The Romance of Scotlands Railways. Newton Abbot : David St John Thomas. ISBN 0-946537-89-5.
Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Dumfries   Glasgow and South Western Railway
Cairn Valley Railway		   Newtonairds

55°06′22″N 3°41′54″W / 55.1060°N 3.6983°W / 55.1060; -3.6983

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