Helensburgh Upper railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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The station in 2020
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| Location | Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°00′45″N 4°43′49″W / 56.0124°N 4.7304°W |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Station code | HLU |
| History | |
| Original company | West Highland Railway |
| Pre-grouping | North British Railway |
| Post-grouping | LNER |
| Key dates | |
| 7 August 1894 | Opened |
| Traffic | |
| Passengers (2017/18) |  14,432 |
| Passengers (2018/19) |  14,046 |
| Passengers (2019/20) | 13,372 |
| Passengers (2020/21) | 1,520 |
| Passengers (2021/22) | 6,916 |
Helensburgh Upper railway station (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Eilidh Àrd) is a train station in Helensburgh, Scotland. It is located on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde, which is west of Glasgow. This station is in a residential area, uphill from the town centre. It is much smaller than Helensburgh's other train station.
Helensburgh Upper is on the West Highland Line. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from Craigendoran Junction. This makes it the first station on the line before Garelochhead. ScotRail manages the station and runs most of the trains. Other services are provided by Caledonian Sleeper.
Station History
Helensburgh Upper station first opened its doors in 1894. When it was built, it had an island platform. This means there was a platform with tracks on both sides.
In 1968, one side of the platform was no longer used. However, the station building stayed open for a few more years. Until the 1960s, a local train service ran between Craigendoran and Arrochar & Tarbet. This was in addition to the main trains going to Fort William and Mallaig. This local service was stopped in 1964 as part of the Beeching Axe. This was a plan to close many railway lines and stations in Britain.
Finding the Station
The station is a short walk from a famous building called the Hill House. This house was designed by a well-known architect named Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Today, the National Trust for Scotland looks after it.
If you visit the Hill House, using Helensburgh Upper station can save you a long walk uphill. The other station, Helensburgh Central railway station, is downhill. However, Helensburgh Upper has fewer trains than Helensburgh Central.
Station Facilities
Helensburgh Upper station has one platform. It has a shelter to keep you dry and a bench where you can sit. There is also a help point if you need assistance. You can find bike racks if you cycle to the station.
The station offers step-free access, which means it's easy to get to for everyone. You cannot buy tickets at the station. So, passengers need to buy their tickets before they travel. Or, they can buy them from the train guard once they are on the train.
Train Services
From Monday to Saturday, there are six trains heading north to Oban. Three trains go to Mallaig, and these often combine with the Oban trains. They split at Crianlarich. One train, the Highland Caledonian Sleeper, goes to Fort William. This train runs only on weekday mornings.
Heading south, there are six trains to Glasgow Queen Street High Level. One train, the Highland Caledonian Sleeper, goes to London Euston. This train travels via Queen Street Low Level and Edinburgh Waverley. The London train does not run on Saturdays.
On Sundays, two trains go north to Mallaig. The Caledonian Sleeper also goes to Fort William. There is one extra train to Oban and another extra summer service to Oban. Southbound, three trains go to Glasgow Queen Street. In the summer, the extra Sunday service returns to Edinburgh, avoiding Glasgow.
| Preceding station |  National Rail |
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumbarton Central | ScotRail West Highland Line |
Garelochhead | ||
| Dumbarton Central | Caledonian Sleeper Highland Caledonian Sleeper |
Garelochhead | ||
| Historical railways | ||||
| Craigendoran Upper Line open; Station partially closed |
North British Railway West Highland Railway |
Rhu (Row) Line open; Station closed |
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Images for kids
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The station seen in 1985
The passenger statistics cover twelve-month periods that start in April.
