The daily freight shunting at Langholm, March 1965,
less than a year after closure to passengers.
The platform line at Langholm had been removed, and
just a stub left to the water column. The occasion of
Branch Line Society Easter Rambler visit in March
1967 to the modified layout with a five coach train
caused problems. The loco, 43121 had extreme
difficulty running round and 'clipped' the end coach.
From the overbridge between Rowanburn and
Claygate, just to the Langholm side of Canonbie
station. April 66 - freight now thrice-weekly.
Glentarras viaduct.
According to the local joiner, who dropped a plumb
line from the viaduct to the burn, it was exactly 100
feet high
From road bridge near site of Glentarras siding,
April 66
The Langholm branch
Gilnockie station and level crossing
Out near Canonbie - a not unusual arrangement of
wagons with loco sandwiched! ("Wonder why?" says
Bruce. Anyone out there know the answer?)
Bridge on the Penton road just out of Langholm,
freight being propelled to Langholm (see below)
Approaching Canonbie station from Langholm,
again the freight being propelled...
Bruce adds: "I don't know, for sure, why the freight was propelled. My guess (note guess) is that it
depended on whether there was freight for Newcastleton, and this would save a lot of pfaffling at
Riddings.
"In the 1920s, I have been told - but not found it confirmed - the old coal mine workings near here
subsided and the train service was disrupted. And I also was told recently that Canonbie coalfield,
being one of the largest untapped in the UK, may mean rails being re-laid, or even newly laid from
Longtown. This is quite possible as there are huge coal resources from Canonbie under the Esk
towards Glenzier (Annan direction). However, this could be over active imagination by the teller."
For a map and further details on the line, see Ewan Crawford's excellent "Railscot" page:
Langholm Branch
Bruce McCartney’s
book”Memories of
Lost Border
Railways” is now
available, and it’s a
great read. Click
the book for more
details
