The Port Road - Dumfries to Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright

History:

The 'Port Road' was the direct route between Dumfries and Stranraer Harbour via Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart. Castle Douglas being the junction station for Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart having the branch to Whithorn.

With construction begining in 1856, the route developed in stages; the 20 mile Dumfries and Castle Douglas Railway (routed via Dalbeattie) opened in 1859. The extension to Stranraer and Portpatrick was completed in the early 1860's.The single line formation between Dumfries and Castle Douglas was doubled shortly after construction, with the Portpatrick line onward to Stranraer and the other branches remaining as built.

Initially, train services were operated over the route by the Caledonian Railway. This remained so for 21 years until arrangements changed, with the grouping agreements between the Caledonian, London & North Western, Glasgow & South Western and Midland railways.

Under LMS control and then into nationalisation the motive power mainstay of the route was the Stanier Black 5. These machines would take charge of Boat trains, local stopping passenger services and mixed goods trains. Much of the motive power being provided by the six road shed at Dumfries.

The main express service over the route was the direct train between London Euston and Stranraer, latterly named the 'Northern Irishman', known as the 'Paddy'. These were timed to connect with Irish Sea ferry crossings to Larne in County Antrim.

The route fell victim to the Beeching axe; the line closing on the 14th of June 1965. Dumfries Depot following into history within a year.

Focus Time Period:

The route has been built to represent its final months before being run down and finally closed. Black Fives would be in charge of the vast majority of trains over the Port Road while diesel traction would be making in roads on the G&SW Mainline between Carlisle and Glasgow, a small section of which is provided.

Route Project:

It is intended to first extend the route beyond Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright; in the months preceeding closure many had hoped that this branch and the mainline back to Dumfries would have avoided the axe. With this in mind a number of fantasy scenarios will represent some 1970's and 80's diesel operation. The Portpatrick route via Gatehouse of Fleet and Newton Stewart to Stranraer Harbour will follow and complete the Port Road Project. `

Development History:

V1.0 - Dumfries to Dalbeattie (Route Building Challenge) - November 2009

V2.0 - Dumfries to Castle Douglas - December 2009

V3.0 - Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright - January 2010