carlisle to glasgow

[387star]

I love this line
It is so vast and empty. The distance must be substantial because even in a pendo it takes over an hour

Great scenary
Any info on this stretch stations landmarks places to stay etc

Lovely river at one point surrounded by lush green grass and not a human in site

 

[junglejames]

I love this line
It is so vast and empty. The distance must be substantial because even in a pendo it takes over an hour

Great scenary
Any info on this stretch stations landmarks places to stay etc

Lovely river at one point surrounded by lush green grass and not a human in site

Stations- Lockerbie, Carstairs, then the usual suburban stations onwards up to Glasgow.
The highest point on the WCML is on this stretch, up at Beatock. Passes quite close to the Solway Firth just north of Carlisle. The 2nd closest the WCML comes to the coast. Passes the border just by Gretna Green just after the Solway Firth

 

[387star]

Is there a border sign?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Nope, the river just north (I think) of Grenta Junction is the border though.

 

[scotsman]

Is there a border sign?

Only if you play RailWorks!

 

[snowball]

Nope, the river just north (I think) of Grenta Junction is the border though.

River Sark, just south of Gretna Junction.

Edit: not to be confused with the much bigger River Esk, a couple of miles further south.

 

[46223]

Is there a border sign?

There used to be one at Gretna similar to the one on the ECML north of Berwick

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . .
Lovely river at one point surrounded by lush green grass and not a human in site

That could be the Annan River for about 15 miles (south of Beattock summit).

Or it could be the Clyde, for about 25 miles (north of Beattock). I think the last time you'd cross the Clyde before Glasgow is at Carstairs, where it's still a modest little river; on the souther outskirts of Glasgo you cross it again at Uddingston where it is a much more substantial river, but neither of these crossings are comparable to the mighty and majestic Clyde which you cross when making the final approach to Glasgow Central Station.

. . . The distance must be substantial because even in a pendo it takes over an hour

. . . .

Any info on this stretch stations landmarks places to stay etc

Yes, almost exactly a hundred miles.

There's plenty history in the region; old battle grounds, industrialisation, the towns of Lockerbie (the air tragedy), Moffat, and the progressive industrialisation of the whole Clyde valley from Lanark, through Wishaw to the rise of Glasgow as a significant global port. Plent reading materials are available and should provide plenty interest.

 

[DarloRich]

I think there is a sign - it is just hidden by foliage!

 

[snowball]

That could be the Annan River for about 15 miles (south of Beattock summit).

From Beattock summit to Beattock it's Evan Water. Evan Water (and Moffat Water) join the Annan about a mile east of Beattock.

 

[Helvellyn]

Between Carlisle and Carstairs there used to be 18 stations; only 1 survives now - Lockerbie.

From Carlisle the former Caledonian Mainline section of the WCML to Carstairs served: -

• Carlisle Citadel
• Rockcliffe (closed 1965)
• Floriston (1950)
• Gretna (1951)
• Kirkparick (1960)
• Kirtlebridge (1960)
• Ecclefechan (1960)
• Lockerbie (Still open; Managed by ScotRail who don't serve it!)
• Nethercleugh (1960)
• Dinwoodie (1960)
• Wamphray (1960)
• Beattock (1972)
• Auchencastle (?)
• Beattock Summit (Private Halt, c.1900-c.1926)
• Elvanfoot (1965)
• Crawford (1965)
• Abington (1965)
• Lamington (?)
• Symington (1965)
• Thankerton (?)
• Carstairs (Still open; managed by ScotRail)

 

[RichmondCommu]

Between Carlisle and Carstairs there used to be 18 stations; only 1 survives now - Lockerbie.

From Carlisle the former Caledonian Mainline section of the WCML to Carstairs served: -

• Carlisle Citadel
• Rockcliffe (closed 1965)
• Floriston (1950)
• Gretna (1951)
• Kirkparick (1960)
• Kirtlebridge (1960)
• Ecclefechan (1960)
• Lockerbie (Still open; Managed by ScotRail who don't serve it!)
• Nethercleugh (1960)
• Dinwoodie (1960)
• Wamphray (1960)
• Beattock (1972)
• Auchencastle (?)
• Beattock Summit (Private Halt, c.1900-c.1926)
• Elvanfoot (1965)
• Crawford (1965)
• Abington (1965)
• Lamington (?)
• Symington (1965)
• Thankerton (?)
• Carstairs (Still open; managed by ScotRail)

I'm amazed that Beattock lasted so long. I'm guessing that its demise coincided with the need to erect OHLE masts?

 

[387star]

Thanks!!

 

[reb0118]

I'm amazed that Beattock lasted so long.

It may come back along with Symington.

Beattock for Moffat.

Symington for Biggar.

These proposed re-openings are just aspirational at present.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Between Carlisle and Carstairs there used to be 18 stations; only 1 survives now - Lockerbie.

From Carlisle the former Caledonian Mainline section of the WCML to Carstairs served: -

• 
  ...
• Abington (1965)
• Lamington (?)
• Symington (1965)
• Thankerton (?)
• Carstairs (Still open; managed by ScotRail)

I believe both Lamington and Thankerton, like the rest along that particular stretch, closed in 1965. Similarly, it was around that time period when a lot of the ones north of Carstairs went too.