Indigo Soup
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 May 2018
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- 1,486
This reopening was proposed in 2008 as a follow-on to the extension of Argyle Line services to Larkhall but seems to have disappeared off the map and the feasibility study not published. Looking at Altnabreac's criteria for successful reopening, it seems to do fairly well.
Population of 10,000+
Yes, the proposed reopening would serve Strathaven and Stonehouse, with a combined population of 15,000. Potentially more in the catchment for these two towns but that's not so easy to get a handle on.
60 minutes (75 at a push) journey time of a major employment centre.
By my estimate, about 50 minutes from Strathaven to Glasgow Central by extension of the existing Larkhall service. It would also serve intermediate demand at Hamilton, which gets four buses an hour from Strathaven.
Extant or mainly unobstructed trackbed
The historic trackbed is almost entirely unobstructed for the entire route. As far as I can tell the only significant demolition would be three barns or similar buildings. The A71 around the north side of Stonehouse uses the railway alignment for about 750 metres so demolition of one house might be necessary to fit the new railway in parallel. The greatest challenge would likely be the need to reinstate two viaducts over the Avon Water north and west of Stonehouse. A third viaduct would be needed to reach the old Strathaven Central station site but an edge-of-town station near St Patrick's Church would remove the need for this.
Ability to extend an existing service so more terminal capacity is not required.
Service would be an extension of the existing 2tph Larkhall service. Without examining the timetable in detail I expect that one additional diagram would be required to provide the service.
Regeneration Potential of a deprived area
Limited, as both Stonehouse and Strathaven are fairly wealthy. However they are relatively isolated compared to comparable-sized towns in the Glasgow commuter belt.
Population of 10,000+
Yes, the proposed reopening would serve Strathaven and Stonehouse, with a combined population of 15,000. Potentially more in the catchment for these two towns but that's not so easy to get a handle on.
60 minutes (75 at a push) journey time of a major employment centre.
By my estimate, about 50 minutes from Strathaven to Glasgow Central by extension of the existing Larkhall service. It would also serve intermediate demand at Hamilton, which gets four buses an hour from Strathaven.
Extant or mainly unobstructed trackbed
The historic trackbed is almost entirely unobstructed for the entire route. As far as I can tell the only significant demolition would be three barns or similar buildings. The A71 around the north side of Stonehouse uses the railway alignment for about 750 metres so demolition of one house might be necessary to fit the new railway in parallel. The greatest challenge would likely be the need to reinstate two viaducts over the Avon Water north and west of Stonehouse. A third viaduct would be needed to reach the old Strathaven Central station site but an edge-of-town station near St Patrick's Church would remove the need for this.
Ability to extend an existing service so more terminal capacity is not required.
Service would be an extension of the existing 2tph Larkhall service. Without examining the timetable in detail I expect that one additional diagram would be required to provide the service.
Regeneration Potential of a deprived area
Limited, as both Stonehouse and Strathaven are fairly wealthy. However they are relatively isolated compared to comparable-sized towns in the Glasgow commuter belt.