51L: The finely detailed railway model. A brief background to the Glasgow and South West Railway

Glasgow & South Western Railway: A brief biography

The Glasgow and South Western Railway can be traced back to the amalgamation of the Glasgow and Ayr, and the Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railways in 1850. By building new lines and leasing others this railway had a virtual monopoly of the lines in the south west of Scotland. The southern coastal part of the district was served by a joint line with the MR, LNWR and the Caledonian. However the line only reached Carlisle by exercising running rights over the Caledonian from Gretna Junction. This it did with great effect after the opening of the Settle and Carlisle line by the Midland Railway.

The G&SW had close working arrangements with the Midland Railway and was a partner in the Midland Scottish Joint Stock services with the North British Railway and Midland connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh to the south. These services were to Derby and further points south with connections to cities in Northern England via the Settle and Carlisle line. These arrangements came to an end in about 1897 and were replaced by M &GSWR joint services a partnership solely with the Midland. All stock for these services were lettered as joint stock and was supplied from Derby. However a number of 6 wheel carriages were built at Kilmarnock in 1884-5. These were probably mainly Clayton 6 wheel arc roof carriages.

The livery of G&SWR locomotives has been universally green throughout its existence. In contrast the carriages changed in about 1880 to a shade of red very similar to the Midland. Similarly lettering was applied to carriages in manner that Derby would have approved! The Glasgow and South Western Railway is affectionately known as the Sou West but is also referred to as the 'safe wee railway'.

At Grouping the line became part of the London Midland and Scottish along with its partner the Midland Railway.

For further reading we suggest the following:

Locomotive and Train Working in the Latter part of the Nineteenth Century, Volume 3
The Glasgow and South Western Railway, C Highet
A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain, Volume 6

Many of the these books may be obtained from specialised book sellers for some suggestions press here.

For research groups contact the following:

The Glasgow and South Western Railway Association

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