Scottish - Anniesland review 1

24/8/08  Maryhill to Anniesland

Details from SPRS "Routes & Branches" Excursion  

Journey time: 4minutes

Distance: 1½ miles   Weather: cloudy

Train type: Class 334 Juniper 4-car EMU  (single track)

Railway company: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

Frequency of trains: every half hour

This is a new passenger line, which was opened on an existing freight branch in 2005. Trains come from Glasgow Queen Street and passengers can change trains here for Helensburgh and Milngavie. The branch starts at Maryhill, which is on the North Glasgow outer line running from Queen Street to Helensburgh/Oban. Maryhill is a two-platform station with shelters. The line then goes over the River Kelvin on a high viaduct and then the Anniesland branch moves away to the left from the Oban mainline on the right. We pass houses below us on the left and woods on the right before we come into Kelvindale station. It is a newly built station complete with a ramp for disabled access. It has a single platform with a shelter. The train then goes into a cutting before the line from Westerton joins from the right. We are now going south as we come into Anniesland, which was originally a two-platform station. A third bay platform with buffers has been added where the branch train from Glasgow Queen Street terminates. The main station building has been rebuilt in recent years though the original footbridge still remains. Outside the station the main A82 trunk road runs past the station.  

Summary:  This recently built line has a great future and as it is a densely populated area should remain for many years to come.  MC