Ross Jct. - Ferniegair Jct. [Hamilton]
Date Closed to Passenger Services
2 Oct 1876
Mileage Closed
0m 72c
Stations Closed
Ferniegair (2nd)
Cobb Atlas Reference
530 74 55 - 74 54; NS 74099 55395 - NS 74404 54119
Present Status
Dismantled
Map
Further Notes
ACD - Mon 02/10/1876 - CPLGB p53; RPSGB.
Replaced by new line linking Hamilton (Central) from Ross Jct. and Ferniegair Jct.
CPLGB p53 suggests that there were two earlier stations at Ferniegair, prior to the opening of the 1876 line to Hamilton. Railscot website confirms this in more detail. The first station would appear to have been a terminus for the line from Lesmahagow (see below), opened from 01/12/1866 - see Ferniegair (1st). The second station was opened when the line towards Lesmahagow Jct. (Motherwell) was opened for passenger services from 01/04/1868. The exact location of this station is unclear. Railscot states it was located "a little to the south", but the wording is ambivalent and could refer to either station! Unfortunately, no map has so far been identified that clearly shows this station. The 1896 OS map, shown above, suggests the station could have been located adjacent to Ferniegair Colliery, as structures adjacent to the tracks could be old station buildings and there is space either side to accommodate platforms. Alternatively, a site further N adjacent to Ross St. where there is a footbridge, is another possibility, and this would have better served the settlement of Ferniegair.
Interestingly, the Railscot website also states that the line northwards towards Motherwell was intended to be opened to passenger services along with the line from Lesmahagow from 01/12/1866, but the poor state of Camps viaduct over the Clyde delayed this until 01/04/1868. However, the first Ferniegair station is clearly shown on the OS map of 1859 as a terminus off a very short branch. As the line towards Motherwell was constructed and opened for freight traffic at the same time as the line from Lesmahagow in 1856, presumably the station was located on a short branch off the main line to avoid congestion caused by terminating passenger trains. On the other hand, it could be that the map, published in 1864 and two years prior to commencement of passenger traffic, was mistaken for whatever reason. There are other examples of this e.g. Newcastle (Forth).
RPSGB alludes to these changes, but doesn't specify any change of location. C and DRS list only one pre-1876 station.
Any further information/clarification most welcome.
Page updated: 25/03/2024