GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Merryton Junction wuz 'ere, 1.5.1949

The newly re-laid railway line sweeps round from Lanark Road (A72) bridge towards Merryton and Larkhall, though it will be another four months before the first passengers traverse it. At one time this was the site of Merryton Junction, from which a line diverged to the left through the new fence and trees to Larkhall East station and thence to Tillietudlem, Blackwood and Brocketsbrae. On 1 May 1949 the junction here was taken out and trains from those stations ran alongside the Larkhall Central single line to Ferniegair Junction, near the site of the presentday Chatelherault station. Passenger services to Larkhall East etc. were withdrawn in 1951 but the line remained in use until 20 April 1964 to serve collieries at Swinehill, near Stonehouse. On 4 November 1968 the Larkhall Central line was also closed completely and for the next 35 years this area became a typical disused railway jungle.