Hamilton and Strathaven Railway

The Hamilton and Strathaven Railway was a historic railway in Scotland. It ran from a junction with the Hamilton Branch of the Caledonian Railway to a terminus at Strathaven. The railway was worked from the start by the Caledonian Railway, who absorbed the railway company in 1864.^[1]

Hamilton and Strathaven Railway

Overview
Locale	Scotland
Dates of operation	6 August 1860; 165 years ago (1860-08-06)–25 July 1864; 161 years ago (1864-07-25)
Successor	Caledonian Railway
Technical
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Length	10+1⁄4 miles (16.5 km)

v t e Hamilton and Strathaven Railway
Legend
Hamilton Branch Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway East Kilbride–Glasgow Central line High Blantyre Hamilton West Burnbank (GBH&CR) Hamilton Branch Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway Meikle Earnock Halt Quarter Glassford Strathaven North (Old) Strathaven North Mid Lanark Lines Strathaven Central Darvel & Strathaven Rly

History

Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Act 1857
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act for making a Railway from near Hamilton to near Strathaven in the County of Lanark, to be called "The Hamilton and Strathaven Railway;" and for other Purposes.
Citation	20 & 21 Vict. c. cxxviii
Dates
Royal assent	10 August 1857
Text of statute as originally enacted

The railway was planned by William Smith Dixon, an Ironmaster.^[2]

Its construction was authorised by the Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Act 1857 (20 & 21 Vict. c. cxxviii) on 10 August 1857;^[1] and it was opened on 9 August 1860, from Hamilton to Quarter, for the carriage of goods.^[3] It opened fully on 2 February 1863, between Hamilton and Strathaven, for goods and passengers.^[3]

Caledonian and Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Amalgamation Act 1864
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to authorize the Amalgamation of the Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Company with the Caledonian Railway Company; and for other Purposes.
Citation	27 & 28 Vict. c. ccl
Dates
Royal assent	25 July 1864
Text of statute as originally enacted

It was taken over by the Caledonian Railway, which was authorised to do so by the Caledonian and Hamilton and Strathaven Railway Amalgamation Act 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. ccl) of 25 July 1864.

Connections to other lines

• Hamilton Branch of the Caledonian Railway at Haughhead Junction.
• Busby Railway (now the East Kilbride–Glasgow Central line) of the Caledonian Railway at Hunthill Junction.
• Mid Lanark Lines of the Caledonian Railway at Strathaven Central
• Darvel and Strathaven Railway at Strathaven Central