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Argyle Line

{{Short description|Suburban railway line running East-West through Glasgow}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox rail line

| name = Argyle Line

| color = 1C4074

| logo =

| logo_width =

| image = File:Kelvinhaugh_Tunnel_(geograph_6200150).jpg

| image_width = 300

| caption = Eastern portal of the Kelvinhaugh Tunnel at Exhibition Centre, 2019.

| type = Heavy rail

| system = National Rail

| status = Operational

| locale = {{plainlist|

}}

| start =

| end =

| stations = 48

| routes =

| daily_ridership =

| open = 1979

| close =

| owner = Network Rail

| character =

| depot =

| stock = {{plainlist|

}}

| linelength =

| tracklength =

| tracks =

| gauge = {{RailGauge|uksg|allk=on}}

| electrification = 25 kV 50 Hz AC

| speed =

| elevation =

| map = 300px

| map_state = expanded

}}

{{Argyle Line|collapse=y}}

The Argyle Line is a suburban railway located in West Central Scotland. The line serves the commercial and shopping districts of Glasgow's central area, and connects towns from West Dunbartonshire to South Lanarkshire. Named for Glasgow's Argyle Street, the line uses the earlier cut-and-cover tunnel running beneath that thoroughfare.

The term "Argyle Line" is commonly used to describe:

  • the extensive urban passenger train service that connects the towns and suburbs of North Clyde with Motherwell, Larkhall, and Lanark, to the southeast. Of the 48 stations, 4 are in West Dunbartonshire, 4 in East Dunbartonshire, 17 in Glasgow City, 10 in North Lanarkshire, and 13 in South Lanarkshire.{{Cite web | url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst93822.html |title=Argyle Line |website=www.scottish-places.info}}
  • the central portion of railway infrastructure encompassing less than {{convert|5|mi|km|0}}.

History

=Prior to 1964=

The Glasgow Central Railway (GCR) under central Glasgow opened in 1886, connecting the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway at {{rws|Maryhill Central}} and Stobcross Railway at {{rws|Stobcross}} to the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway near {{rws|Kirkhill}}, Rutherglen and Coatbridge Railway at {{rws|Carmyle}}, Clydesdale Junction Railway and Polloc and Govan Railway at {{rws|Rutherglen}}, and Clydesdale Junction Railway at Newton. The line closed in 1964 as a result of the Beeching Axe.{{cite book |last=Cobb |first=Col. M.H. |title=The Railways of Great Britain – a Historical Atlas, Volume 2 |year=2003 |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing Ltd}}

=Overview 1979 opening=

On 1 November 1979, Elizabeth II officially opened the Argyle Line (in conjunction with the inauguration of the modernised Glasgow Subway), with services commencing four days later.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 3, 7th page}}{{cite journal |last=Skillen |first=Brian S. | pages=13–19 |title=The Once and Future Railway | journal=Scottish Transport |issue=33| date=December 1979 |publisher=Scottish Tramway Museum Society}} This joint venture between British Rail and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE){{Google books| ZVowDwAAQBAJ |Railway Renaissance: Britain's Railways after Beeching |page=PT214}} comprised a tunnel diversion and reopening the {{convert|4.5|mi|km|adj=on}} Stobcross–Rutherglen low-level line. However, the Argyle name later applied to the combined {{rws|Dalmuir}}–{{rws|Lanark}} routes.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 10th page}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/misc/line_names.shtm|title=Railway line names |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}}

=Infrastructure=

The former Caledonian Railway (CR) line via Whiteinch, {{rws|Partick West}}, and {{rws|Partick Central}} (Kelvin Hall) remained abandoned. The new connection with the original North British Railway route via {{rws|Hyndland}} and a rebuilt {{rws|Partick}}{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 9th page}} also incorporated a grade-separated junction with the Queen Street Low Level route. The already electrified North Clyde Line northwest of Partick and West Coast Main Line (WCML) southeast of Rutherglen were linked by laying double tracks and installing overhead electrical wiring along the disused section that had separated these networks. At Rutherglen, a new platform was built and the main line ones abandoned.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 3, 8th page}}

Finnieston West Junction–{{rws|Dalmarnock}} is sub-surface:

  • Brickwork was power washed and repaired.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 10th page}}
  • Concrete slabs superseded ballast.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 11th page}}
  • Former GCR stations at {{rws|Glasgow Green}} and {{rws|Glasgow Cross}} remained disused. The frontage of Glasgow Green station{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8512107,-4.2341412,3a,75y,132.94h,90.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRadtqnbL2RnRvzrNLM2oSg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 |title=Glasgow Green station, 2009 |website=www.google.co.uk}} was demolished in March 2012,{{Cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17452063 |title=BBC News, 20 Mar 2012|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} and the entrance to Glasgow Cross station (adjacent to the Tollbooth) has been turned into ventilation ducts, visible from the traffic island between Trongate and London Road.{{Cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8565729,-4.243202,3a,37.5y,261.76h,89.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPIK6Hm6eANDiOMarlwNvVg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 |title=Glasgow Cross station, 2008 |website=www.google.co.uk}}
  • {{rws|Argyle Street}} became a new station {{convert|0.2|mi|m|-1}} west of the former Glasgow Cross.{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/a/arg2.shtm|title=ARG2 Strathclyde Junction to Finnieston Junction |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}}
  • {{rws|Exhibition Centre}} (called Finnieston until 1986) was rebuilt. Slightly to the west of the original GCR Stobcross station, the only commonality between the two is the location of much of the eastbound platform (which was originally the westbound one). A new siding enabled westbound trains to stable and turn back.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 11th page}}
  • Tunnel lengths are Kelvinhaugh (Finnieston West Junction–Exhibition Centre) {{convert|968|yd|m}}, Stobcross (Exhibition Centre–Anderston) {{convert|500|or|640|yd|m}}, Anderston (Anderston–Glasgow Green) {{convert|2800|yd|m}}, Canning St (Glasgow Green–Bridgeton) {{convert|460|or|510|yd|m}}, and Dalmarnock Rd (Bridgeton–Dalmarnock) {{convert|766|yd|m}}.{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/tunnels/tunnels1.shtm|title=Railway tunnel lengths|website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}}

=Flooding=

In Winter 1994, the River Kelvin breached its banks releasing a deluge into the Exhibition Centre–Argyle Street section to a depth of more than {{convert|3|m|ft|0}}, trapping two trains, and resulting in a nine-month closure.{{Google books| wkITDQAAQBAJ |The Railways of Glasgow, Post-Beeching |page=PT62}}{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 17th page}} Dalmarnock has been flooded several times.

=Extensions=

The Larkhall Line was opened as an extension to Argyle Line services in December 2005 by First Minister Jack McConnell. Formerly the CR Coalburn Branch, the rebuilt/new stations are {{rws|Chatelherault}}, {{rws|Merryton}}, and the {{rws|Larkhall}} terminus.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 2, 19th–20th pages}} The branch is single line throughout, with a crossing loop at Allanton. {{rws|Milngavie}}, formerly a North Clyde service, became a destination.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 8, 4th page}}

The Whifflet Line service that reopened in October 1993{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 3, 10th page}} received electrification of the Rutherglen–Whifflet section in December 2014.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 3, 16th page}} This enabled a rerouting through Glasgow Central Low Level to the western suburbs, increased frequency on the route, reduced WCML usage conflict, and created a diversionary path for long distance WCML services.{{Google books| ZVowDwAAQBAJ | Railway Renaissance: Britain's Railways after Beeching |page=PT216}} At the same time, Lanark services switched to Glasgow Central High Level.

=Service patterns=

{{Hidden begin |title=Prior versions}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (Nov 1979 opening)

TerminusViaTerminusMon–SatSun
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Dumbarton Central}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Dumbarton Central}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Partick}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Partick}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Milngavie}}limited stops{{rws|Lanark}}{{center|1}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (1982–83){{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 8, 4th page}}{{Google books| wkITDQAAQBAJ |The Railways of Glasgow, Post-Beeching |page=PT121}}

TerminusViaTerminusMon–SatSun
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Dumbarton Central}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Dumbarton Central}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Lanark}}limited stops{{rws|Anderston}}{{center|1}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2002–03) {{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 8, 4th page}}

TerminusViaTerminusMon–SatSun
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|3}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2003-04) {{Cite web|title=Class 303 EMU: 2003 News - Sec.6.1.03 (October 2009 Geocities Page Archive)|url=https://www.oocities.org/nlh303032/2003news.html|access-date=2022-02-11}}{{Cite web|title=Scotrail: Route 24 Timetable (2003)|url=http://www.scotrail.co.uk/route24.pdf|access-date=2022-02-11|website=www.scotrail.co.uk|archive-date=2 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202235325/http://www.scotrail.co.uk/route24.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Scotrail: Route 22 Timetable (2003)|url=http://www.scotrail.co.uk/route22.pdf|access-date=2022-02-11|website=www.scotrail.co.uk|archive-date=4 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204171312/http://www.scotrail.co.uk/route22.pdf|url-status=live}}

TerminusViaTerminusMon–Sat {{small|(off peak)}}Sun
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Holytown}}, {{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2006–07)

TerminusViaTerminusMon–SatSun
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Holytown}}, {{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Singer}} (limited stops){{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|2}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2007–08)

TerminusViaTerminusMon–SatSun
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Holytown}}, {{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Shieldmuir}}, {{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Singer}} (limited stops){{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}(limited stops){{rws|Partick}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|2}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="3" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains (2014–15) !! colspan="3" style="background:#ffdead;" | Direction/Frequency per hour

TerminusViaTerminusMon–Sat {{small|(off peak)}}Sun {{small|(from 8:20am)}}
{{rws|Cumbernauld}}{{rws|Motherwell}}, {{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|NW/1}}
{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{rws|Singer}}, {{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Motherwell}}{{center|SE/1}}
{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Whifflet}}{{center|SE/1}}
{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Larkhall}}{{center|SE/2}}
{{rws|Milngavie}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}{{rws|Motherwell}}{{center|SE/1}}{{center|both/2}}
{{rws|Milngavie}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Cumbernauld}}{{center|SE/1}}
{{rws|Glasgow Central}}{{rws|Bellshill}}, {{rws|Shieldmuir}}{{rws|Lanark}}{{center|both/2}}{{center|both/1}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|NW/2}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|both/1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|NW/1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|NW/1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|both/1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}}{{center|both/1}}
{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|NW/1}}

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2016–17)

TerminusViaTerminusMon–Sat {{small|(off peak)}}Sun
{{rws|Cumbernauld}}{{rws|Blantyre}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Lanark}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}}{{center|2}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Whifflet}}, {{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Whifflet}}, {{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Balloch}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Milngavie}}{{center|2}}
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Bellshill}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Milngavie}}{{rws|Blantyre}}{{rws|Cumbernauld}}{{center|1}}
{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{center|1}}

{{Hidden end}}

Services

=Routes=

At Dalmuir Park Junction, southeastwards enters the Yoker line, before rejoining at Hyndland East Junction,{{Cite web | url= http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/y/ykr.shtm |title=YKR Yoker Line |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} and eastwards remains on the North Clyde (officially North Electric Main Line) via Singer and Westerton Junction,{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/n/nem5.shtm |title=NEM5 Knightswood North Junction to Bowling |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} where the {{convert|3.2|mi|km|adj=on}} Milngavie Branch{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/m/mge.shtm |title=MGE Milngavie Branch |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} joins. This route continues via Knightswood North and South junctions,{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/n/nem4.shtm |title=NEM4 Knightswood South Junction to Knightswood North Junction |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} and Hyndland.{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/n/nem3.shtm |title=NEM3 High Street to Knightswood South Junction |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}}

Eastbound trains enter the Kelvinhaugh Tunnel{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 10th page}} immediately to the west of Sandyford Street. This tunnel joins the original section on the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway from {{rws|Partick Central}}, just south of Kelvinhaugh Street; finally meeting the disused GCR Stobcross Depot Tunnel, just inside the common southeast portal of these two tunnels. The mouth of the Stobcross Depot Tunnel can be seen from the eastbound platform of Exhibition Centre.

Westbound trains ascend to join the North Clyde line{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 4, 10th page}} from Queen Street station. This steep incline originally gave access to the sidings at Queen's Dock from the Stobcross Railway.

The WCML is accessed after Rutherglen. At Rutherglen East Junction, the Whifflet line emerges eastwards, and the route later passes east of {{rws|Bellshill}}. At Newton Junction, eastwards follows the WCML via {{rws|Uddingston}}, and southeastwards is the Hamilton Circle. At Haughhead Junction, {{convert|1.2|mi|km}} east of {{rws|Hamilton Central}},{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/h/hmn2.shtm |title=HMN2 Newton to Ross Junction|website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} a {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/l/lrk.shtm |title=LRK Larkhall Branch |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} branch leads to Larkhall. The Hamilton Circle terminates at Motherwell.

Bellshill is {{convert|2.3|mi|km}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/e/egs1.shtm|title=EGS1 Uddingston Junction to Mossend East Junction |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} after leaving the WCML at Uddingston Junction. Beyond the station, the route joins the line south from Whifflet, returning to the WCML at Motherwell. Southeast {{convert|13.3|mi|km}} at Lanark Junction,{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/w/wcm1.shtm|title=WCM1 Carlisle to Law Junction |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/w/wcm2.shtm|title=WCM2 Law Junction to Glasgow |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} the {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=on|0}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/l/lnk.shtm |title=LNK Lanark Branch |website=www.railwaycodes.org.uk}} single-track branch serves Lanark, the southeastern extremity.

File:318 Motherwell.JPGs are a common sight on the Argyle Line. 318257 is pictured at {{rws|Motherwell}}.]]

File:Classes 320 and 318 at Partick.jpgs and Class 320s work the bulk of Argyle Line services. 318254 and 320313 stand side by side at {{rws|Partick}}.]]

=Frequency=

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2020/21){{Cite web | url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/electronic-national-rail-timetable |title=May 2020 NRT: Table 226 |website=www.networkrail.co.uk}}

Terminuscolspan=1 | ViaWest ofMon–Sat {{small|(off peak)}}Sun {{small|(from 8:10am)}}
{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{rws|Yoker}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 4
{{rws|Dalmuir}}{{rws|Singer}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 2
{{rws|Milngavie}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 2
{{rws|Balloch}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 2

class="wikitable"

! colspan="5" style="background:#ffdead;" | Passenger trains per hour (2020/21){{Cite web | url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/electronic-national-rail-timetable |title=May 2020 NRT: Table 225 |website=www.networkrail.co.uk}}

Terminuscolspan=1 |ViaEast ofMon–Sat {{small|(off peak)}}Sun {{small|(from 8:20am)}}
{{rws|Larkhall}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 2style="text-align:center" | 1
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 1style="text-align:center" | 1
{{rws|Motherwell}}{{rws|Hamilton Central}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 1style="text-align:center" | 2
{{rws|Cumbernauld}}{{rws|Motherwell}}, {{rws|Hamilton Central}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 1
{{rws|Whifflet}}{{rws|Glasgow Central}} Low Levelstyle="text-align:center" | 1

Rolling stock

At its opening, the rolling stock on the Argyle Line was Class 314 electric multiple units, which were then new.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 19th page}} These were accompanied by a number of the older Class 303{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 15th page}} "Blue Train" sets from the North Clyde route. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Class 311 trains also operated on this route. After the 303s were retired in 2002, the route was operated by a mixture of new Class 334 Alstom "Juniper" units,{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 32nd page}} alongside a small number of 1980s vintage Class 318{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 26th page}} trains cascaded from the Ayrshire routes, with the original Class 314 sets transferred to the Cathcart Circle. Following the opening of the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link, most Class 334 units were transferred to services on this route. The Class 320s were subsequently fitted with yaw dampers, allowing for {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on|0}} running up from their previous {{convert|75|mph|abbr=on|-1}} limit, which enabled them to replace the Class 334s on Argyle Line services.

The Argyle Line is operated by Class 320s{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 28th page}} and Class 318s with the occasional Class 334{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=ebook Ch. 7, 33rd page}} appearing and Class 385s covering Lanark services that now run into Glasgow Central. Class 380s used to operate the line from 2014 to 2019 covering Lanark services when they first ran into Central High Level.

Footnotes

{{reflist}}

References

  • {{cite book |last=Webster |first=Gordon D. |title=The Railways of Glasgow, post-Beeching |year=2014 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=9780752499079 }}

{{Railway lines in Scotland}}

Category:Transport in Glasgow

Category:Railway lines in Scotland

Category:Railway lines opened in 1979

Category:Railway lines opened in 2005

Category:Standard gauge railways in Scotland