Argyle Line

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox rail line Template:Argyle Line 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• the central portion of railway infrastructure encompassing less than Template:Convert.

History

Prior to 1964

The Glasgow Central Railway (GCR) under central Glasgow opened in 1886, connecting the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway at Template:Rws and Stobcross Railway at Template:Rws to the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway near Template:Rws, Rutherglen and Coatbridge Railway at Template:Rws, Clydesdale Junction Railway and Polloc and Govan Railway at Template:Rws, and Clydesdale Junction Railway at Newton. The line closed in 1964 as a result of the Beeching Axe.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This joint venture between British Rail and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE)<ref name=RR214>Template:Google books</ref> comprised a tunnel diversion and reopening the Template:Convert Stobcross–Rutherglen low-level line. However, the Argyle name later applied to the combined Template:Rws–Template:Rws routes.Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Infrastructure

The former Caledonian Railway (CR) line via Whiteinch, Template:Rws, and Template:Rws (Kelvin Hall) remained abandoned. The new connection with the original North British Railway route via Template:Rws and a rebuilt Template:RwsTemplate:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn

Finnieston West Junction–Template:Rws is sub-surface:

• Brickwork was power washed and repaired.Template:Sfn
• Concrete slabs superseded ballast.Template:Sfn
• Former GCR stations at Template:Rws and Template:Rws remained disused. The frontage of Glasgow Green station<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> was demolished in March 2012,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Rws became a new station Template:Convert west of the former Glasgow Cross.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Rws (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.Template:Sfn
• Tunnel lengths are Kelvinhaugh (Finnieston West Junction–Exhibition Centre) Template:Convert, Stobcross (Exhibition Centre–Anderston) Template:Convert, Anderston (Anderston–Glasgow Green) Template:Convert, Canning St (Glasgow Green–Bridgeton) Template:Convert, and Dalmarnock Rd (Bridgeton–Dalmarnock) Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 Template:Convert, trapping two trains, and resulting in a nine-month closure.<ref>Template:Google books</ref>Template:Sfn 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 Template:Rws, Template:Rws, and the Template:Rws terminus.<ref name="RR214" />Template:Sfn The branch is single line throughout, with a crossing loop at Allanton. Template:Rws, formerly a North Clyde service, became a destination.Template:Sfn

The Whifflet Line service that reopened in October 1993Template:Sfn received electrification of the Rutherglen–Whifflet section in December 2014.Template:Sfn 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.<ref>Template:Google books</ref> At the same time, Lanark services switched to Glasgow Central High Level.

Service patterns

Passenger trains per hour (Nov 1979 opening)
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	limited stops	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (1982–83)Template:Sfn<ref name=RoG121>Template:Google books</ref>
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	limited stops	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (2002–03) Template:Sfn<ref name="RoG121" />
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat	Sun
Template:Rws		Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws		Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (2003-04) <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation					CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat Template:Small	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (2006–07)
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws (limited stops)	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (2007–08)
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws (limited stops)	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	(limited stops)	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains (2014–15)			Direction/Frequency per hour
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat Template:Small	Sun Template:Small
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws		Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Passenger trains per hour (2016–17)
Terminus	Via	Terminus	Mon–Sat Template:Small	Sun
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws		Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Services

Routes

At Dalmuir Park Junction, southeastwards enters the Yoker line, before rejoining at Hyndland East Junction,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and eastwards remains on the North Clyde (officially North Electric Main Line) via Singer and Westerton Junction,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where the Template:Convert Milngavie Branch<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> joins. This route continues via Knightswood North and South junctions,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Hyndland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Eastbound trains enter the Kelvinhaugh TunnelTemplate:Sfn immediately to the west of Sandyford Street. This tunnel joins the original section on the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway from Template:Rws, 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 lineTemplate:Sfn 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 Template:Rws. At Newton Junction, eastwards follows the WCML via Template:Rws, and southeastwards is the Hamilton Circle. At Haughhead Junction, Template:Convert east of Template:Rws,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> branch leads to Larkhall. The Hamilton Circle terminates at Motherwell.

Bellshill is Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 Template:Convert at Lanark Junction,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> single-track branch serves Lanark, the southeastern extremity.

File:318 Motherwell.JPG

Class 318s are a common sight on the Argyle Line. 318257 is pictured at Template:Rws.

File:Classes 320 and 318 at Partick.jpg

Class 318s and Class 320s work the bulk of Argyle Line services. 318254 and 320313 stand side by side at Template:Rws.

Frequency

Passenger trains per hour (2020/21)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation					CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Terminus	Via	West of	Mon–Sat Template:Small	Sun Template:Small
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	4
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	2
Template:Rws		Template:Rws Low Level		2
Template:Rws		Template:Rws Low Level		2

Passenger trains per hour (2020/21)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation					CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Terminus	Via	East of	Mon–Sat Template:Small	Sun Template:Small
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	2	1
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	1	1
Template:Rws	Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	1	2
Template:Rws	Template:Rws, Template:Rws	Template:Rws Low Level	1
Template:Rws		Template:Rws Low Level	1

Rolling stock

At its opening, the rolling stock on the Argyle Line was Class 314 electric multiple units, which were then new.Template:Sfn These were accompanied by a number of the older Class 303Template:Sfn "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,Template:Sfn alongside a small number of 1980s vintage Class 318Template:Sfn 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 Template:Convert running up from their previous Template:Convert limit, which enabled them to replace the Class 334s on Argyle Line services.

The Argyle Line is operated by Class 320sTemplate:Sfn and Class 318s with the occasional Class 334Template:Sfn 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.

References

• Template:Cite book

Template:Railway lines in Scotland