Station Name: BALLOCH PIER

 

[Source: Nick Catford]




Date opened: Line opened 1850
Location: At the end of Pier Road
Company on opening: Dumbarton & Balloch Joint
Date closed to passengers: 29.9.1986
Date closed completely: 29.9.1986
Company on closing: British Rail (Scottish Region)
Present state: One small building and platform are both extant. The main building (shown below) has been demolished.
County: Dumbartonshire
OS Grid Ref: NS386835
Date of visit: 14.1.2006

Notes: Originally, the branch line from Dalreoch continued through Balloch Central to Balloch Pier which was opened to bring passengers to the steamers operating out of Balloch. Initially timetables just showed Balloch. The first specific reference to Balloch Pier was in September 1858 timetable, when mileage's suggest the line had been extended and Pier added. But steamer connections had always been given and it may be that the Pier section was assumed - it was early regular practice not to give town and pier stations separately.

Town Station became Balloch Central on 30.6.1952. It was electrified with the rest of the Glasgow North Bank system in the early 1960's.

With the last public cruise Balloch Pier on August 30th 1981, the station became redundant with few passengers travelling beyond Balloch Central and the station closed from 29.9.1986. By closing the station rail authorities could also get close the level crossing at the west end of Balloch Bridge.

To achieve this, Balloch Central closed on 24.4.1988 and a new station, simply called 'Balloch', was opened immediately to the south of the former level crossing which led into Balloch Central.

The last steamer in service on Loch Lomond, the 'Maid of the Loch', was left to rot at Balloch Pier in 1981, it has since been restored becoming a static attraction during the 1990's, but the eventual aim is to return it to service on the loch.

The platform at Balloch Pier still exists and the 'Maid of the Loch', the last paddle steamer to be built in Scotland – is berthed alongside it.

Other web site: Rail Scot for more pictures of Balloch Pier Station shortly after closure

See also Balloch Central

 

Balloch Pier Station in August 1986, a month before closure
Photo by Bevan Price



Balloch Pier Station in January 2006
Photo by David Ross

Before 1923

1985

1986

1986

Click on thumbnail to enlarge


 

 

 

[Source: Nick Catford]


Home Page
Last updated: Sunday, 04-Jun-2017 08:58:46 CEST
© 1998-2005 Disused Stations