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Coordinates: 58°07′04″N 3°39′32″W / 58.1177°N 3.6590°W / 58.1177; -3.6590
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{{Short description|Railway station in Highland, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox GB station
{{Infobox station
| name = Helmsdale
|symbol = rail
| native_name = {{langx|gd|Bun Ilidh}}<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Brailsford |editor-first=Martyn |title=Railway Track Diagrams 1: Scotland & Isle of Man |edition=6th |date=December 2017 |orig-year=1987 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Frome |isbn=978-0-9549866-9-8 |chapter=Gaelic/English Station Index }}</ref>
|name = Helmsdale
| symbol_location = gb
|other_name= {{lang-gd|Bun Ilidh}}<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Brailsford |editor-first=Martyn |title=Railway Track Diagrams 1: Scotland & Isle of Man |edition=6th |date=December 2017 |origyear=1987 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Frome |isbn=978-0-9549866-9-8 |chapter=Gaelic/English Station Index |ref=harv }}</ref>
|code = HMS
| symbol = rail
| image = 158715_arriving_at_Helmsdale_20210921_075807.jpg
|image_name= Lunch Time Train to Wick at Helmsdale (geograph 1832073).jpg
| caption = 158715 approaching the station in 2021
|caption = A train to Wick arrives at Helmsdale on 16 June 2009
| borough = [[Helmsdale]], [[Highland (unitary authority area)|Highland]]
|manager = [[Abellio ScotRail]]
| country = Scotland
|locale = [[Helmsdale]]
| coordinates = {{coord|58.1177|-3.6590|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
|borough = [[Highland (unitary authority area)|Highland]]
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
|coordinates = {{coord|58.1177|-3.6590|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|ND023155|25|ND023155}}
|start =
| manager = [[ScotRail]]
|platforms = 2
| platforms = 2
|stats = yes
| code = HMS<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deaves |first1=Phil |title=Railway Codes |url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/crs/crsh.shtm |website=railwaycodes.org.uk |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref>
<!-- |lowusage0405 = {{pad|1em}}3,513
| original = [[Duke of Sutherland's Railway]]
|lowusage0506 = {{increase}} 3,514
| pregroup = [[Highland Railway]]
|lowusage0607 = {{increase}} 4,456
| postgroup = [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]<br />[[British Railways]]
|lowusage0708 = {{increase}} 5,348
| years1 = {{start date|1871|06|19|df=y}}
|lowusage0809 = {{increase}} 5,646
| events1 = Opened as terminus
|lowusage0910 = {{increase}} 5,680
| years2 = 28 July 1874
|lowusage1011 = {{decrease}} 5,656
| events2 = Altered to through station
|lowusage1112 = {{increase}} 6,090 -->
| mpassengers =
|lowusage1213 = {{decrease}} 5,828
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{increase}} 5,044}}
|lowusage1314 = {{decrease}} 5,778
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 5,086}}
|lowusage1415 = {{decrease}} 5,096
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 564}}
|lowusage1516 = {{increase}} 6,204
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 3,168}}
|lowusage1617 = {{decrease}} 5,768
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 3,484}}
| original = [[Duke of Sutherland's Railway]]
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| pregroup = [[Highland Railway]]
| embedded = {{Infobox designation list|embed=yes
| postgroup = [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]<br>[[British Railways]]
| designation1 = Category B
|years = 28 July 1874
| designation1_feature =
|events = Opened
| designation1_date = 23 July 1987
|years1 =
| designation1_number = LB7184<ref>{{cite web |title=HELMSDALE RAILWAY STATION INCLUDING FOOTBRIDGE AND SIGNAL BOX |url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB7184 |publisher=Historic Scotland |access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref>
|events1 =
}}
|gridref = ND023155
|}}
}}
'''Helmsdale railway station''' is a [[railway station]] serving the village of [[Helmsdale]] in the [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]], northern [[Scotland]]. It is located on the [[Far North Line]].
'''Helmsdale railway station''' is a [[railway station]] serving the village of [[Helmsdale]] in the [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]], northern [[Scotland]]. It is located on the [[Far North Line]], between [[Brora railway station|Brora]] and [[Kildonan railway station|Kildonan]], {{convert|101|mi|40|chain|km|lk=in}} from Inverness.<ref>{{Cite book |title=TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain: A Comprehensive Geographic Atlas Showing the Rail Network of Great Britain |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing Ltd |year=2017 |isbn=978-1909431-26-3 |editor-last=Bridge |editor-first=Mike |edition=3rd |location=Sheffield |pages=103}}</ref> [[ScotRail]], who manage the station, operate all services.


==History==
The station opened on 28 July 1874.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=The Sunderland and Caithness Railway |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/18740727/098/0005 |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=British Newspaper Archive |date=27 July 1874 |access-date=14 August 2016 |via = British Newspaper Archive |subscription=yes }}</ref> The station buildings were designed by the architect [[William Fowler (architect)|William Fowler]].
[[File:Helmsdale railway station, Highland (geograph 4421212).jpg|left|thumb|Looking south from Helmsdale in 2015]]
The [[Duke of Sutherland's Railway]] had opened between {{stnlnk|Dunrobin}} and {{stnlnk|West Helmsdale}} (near [[Gartymore]]) on 1 November 1870.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Vallance |first1=H.A. |last2=Clinker |first2=C.R. |last3=Lambert |first3=Anthony J. |title=The Highland Railway |edition=4th |year=1985 |orig-year=1938 |publisher=[[David & Charles]] |location=Newton Abbot |isbn=0-946537-24-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/highlandrailway0000vall/page/36 36, 176] |url=https://archive.org/details/highlandrailway0000vall/page/36 }}</ref> Extensions of this line southward to {{stnlnk|Golspie}} and northward to Helmsdale were opened on 19 June 1871.<ref>{{cite web |title=Helmsdale Station |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/7483/helmsdale-station |access-date=19 June 2019 |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland }}</ref>{{sfn|Vallance|Clinker|Lambert|1985|pp=36, 173}} The station buildings were designed by the architect [[William Fowler (architect)|William Fowler]].


Another company, the [[Sutherland and Caithness Railway]] (S&CR), was authorised on 13 July 1871 to take over the powers of the projected [[Caithness Railway]] and link Helmsdale with that line at {{stnlnk|Georgemas Junction}}, and the S&CR opened on 28 July 1874.{{sfn|Vallance|Clinker|Lambert|1985|pp=37, 175}}
On 29 April 1891 there was a collision between a down mixed train from Inverness which ran into an engine which had arrived earlier. [[Francis Marindin|Major Marindin]] of the Board of Trade investigated and found that the driver Robert Lindsay deliberately ignored the signals as he would have had difficulty in re-starting the train on the rising gradient of 1 in 59.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Helmsdale. Board of Trade Report |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001507/18910615/092/0005 |newspaper=Aberdeen Evening Express |location=British Newspaper Archive |date=15 June 1891 |access-date=14 August 2016 |via = British Newspaper Archive |subscription=yes }}</ref>


The station master's house on the platform was abandoned in the 1980s. In 2013 it was refitted as self-catering holiday accommodation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helmsdalestation.co.uk/ |title=Self Catering Accommodation on a working railway station in the north of Scotland |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=Helmsdale Station |publisher=Helmsdale Station CIC |access-date=21 April 2017 |quote=}}</ref>
The station master's house on the platform was abandoned in the 1980s. In 2013 it was refitted as self-catering holiday accommodation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helmsdalestation.co.uk/ |title=Self Catering Accommodation on a working railway station in the north of Scotland |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Helmsdale Station |publisher=Helmsdale Station CIC |access-date=21 April 2017 }}</ref>


On 7 August 2024, [[King Charles III]] visited Helmsdale Railway Station to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sutherland and Caithness railway line. The King, met railway workers, representatives of Helmsdale Community Council and members of Sutherland Schools Pipe Band. He afterwards laid flowers at Helmsdale War Memorial to mark its Centenary and met veterans and members of the local community.<ref>{{cite news |title=King visits Helmsdale as village marks centenary of war memorial and 150th anniversary of railway line |url=https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/king-visits-helmsdale-as-village-marks-centenary-of-war-memo-357692/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |agency=The Northern Times |publisher=The Northern Times}}</ref>
The station is {{convert|101|mi|40|chain|km|lk=in}} from Inverness, and has a [[passing loop]] {{convert|23|chain|m}} long, flanked by two platforms. Platform 1 on the up (southbound) line can accommodate trains having six coaches, whereas platform 2 on the down (northbound) line can hold seven.{{sfn|Brailsford|2017|loc=map 20C}}

=== Accidents and incidents ===
On 29 April 1891 there was a collision between a down mixed train from Inverness which ran into an engine which had arrived earlier. [[Francis Marindin|Major Marindin]] of the Board of Trade investigated and found that the driver Robert Lindsay deliberately ignored the signals as he would have had difficulty in restarting the train on the rising gradient of 1 in 59.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Helmsdale. Board of Trade Report |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001507/18910615/092/0005 |newspaper=Aberdeen Evening Express |location=British Newspaper Archive |date=15 June 1891 |access-date=14 August 2016 |via = British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

== Facilities ==
Both platforms have waiting areas and benches, whilst platform 2 also has a help point. Bike racks and a car park are adjacent to platform 2. There is step free access to platform 2 only; platform 1 can only be accessed via the footbridge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Rail Enquiries - |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/helmsdale-station-plan |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=www.nationalrail.co.uk}}</ref>

== Passenger volume ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Passenger Volume at Helmsdale<ref>{{Cite web |title=Estimates of station usage {{!}} ORR Data Portal |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage |access-date=25 December 2023 |website=dataportal.orr.gov.uk}}</ref>
!
!2002–03
!2004–05
!2005–06
!2006–07
!2007–08
!2008–09
!2009–10
!2010–11
!2011–12
!2012–13
!2013–14
!2014–15
!2015–16
!2016–17
!2017–18
!2018–19
!2019–20
!2020–21
!2021–22
!2022–23
|-
|Entries and exits
|3,972
|3,513
|3,514
|4,456
|5,348
|5,646
|5,680
|5,656
|6,086
|5,828
|5,778
|5,096
|6,204
|5,768
|4,636
|5,044
|5,086
|564
|3,168
|3,484
|}
<small>The statistics cover twelve month periods that start in April.</small>


==Services==
==Services==
Mondays to Saturdays, there are four train each way that call here - southbound to {{rws|Dingwall}} & {{rws|Inverness}} and northbound to {{rws|Wick}} via Thurso. Sundays see a single departure each way.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2016|239}}.</ref>
Mondays to Saturdays, there are four train each way that call here - southbound to {{rws|Dingwall}} & {{rws|Inverness}} and northbound to {{rws|Wick}} via Thurso. Sundays see a single departure each way.<ref>eNRT December 2021 Edition, Table 219</ref>


{{rail start}}
{{rail start}}
{{rail line|previous={{Stnlnk|Brora}}|next={{Stnlnk|Kildonan}}|route=[[Abellio ScotRail]]<br /><small>[[Far North Line]]</small> |col={{ScotRail colour}} }}
{{rail line|previous={{Stnlnk|Brora}}|next={{Stnlnk|Kildonan}}|route=[[ScotRail]]<br /><small>[[Far North Line]]</small> |col={{ScotRail colour}} }}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|West Helmsdale}}<br /><small>Line open, station closed</small> |next={{Stnlnk|Salzcraggie Platform}}<br /><small>Line open, station closed</small> |route=[[Highland Railway]]<br /><small>{{rmri|left}} [[Duke of Sutherland's Railway]]<br />[[Sutherland and Caithness Railway]] {{rmri|right}}</small> |col={{HR colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{Stnlnk|West Helmsdale}}<br /><small>Line open, station closed</small> |next={{Stnlnk|Salzcraggie Platform}}<br /><small>Line open, station closed</small> |route=[[Highland Railway]]<br /><small>{{rmri|left}} [[Duke of Sutherland's Railway]]<br />[[Sutherland and Caithness Railway]] {{rmri|right}}</small> |col={{HR colour}} }}
Line 59: Line 117:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
{{Commons category|Helmsdale railway station}}
{{Commons}}
{{Stn art lnk|HMS}}


{{Railway stations served by Abellio Scotrail}}

[[Category:Helmsdale]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Sutherland]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Sutherland]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1874]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1874]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Abellio ScotRail]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by ScotRail]]
[[Category:Former Highland Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Highland Railway stations]]
[[Category:Listed railway stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Listed railway stations in Scotland]]
Line 69: Line 133:
[[Category:William Fowler railway stations]]
[[Category:William Fowler railway stations]]



{{Scotland-railstation-stub}}
{{Highland-railstation-stub}}

Latest revision as of 04:12, 8 November 2024

Helmsdale

Scottish Gaelic: Bun Ilidh[1]
National Rail
158715 approaching the station in 2021
General information
LocationHelmsdale, Highland
Scotland
Coordinates58°07′04″N 3°39′32″W / 58.1177°N 3.6590°W / 58.1177; -3.6590
Grid referenceND023155
Managed byScotRail
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeHMS[2]
History
Original companyDuke of Sutherland's Railway
Pre-groupingHighland Railway
Post-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
British Railways
Key dates
19 June 1871 (1871-06-19)Opened as terminus
28 July 1874Altered to through station
Passengers
2018/19Increase 5,044
2019/20Increase 5,086
2020/21Decrease 564
2021/22Increase 3,168
2022/23Increase 3,484
Listed Building – Category B
Designated23 July 1987
Reference no.LB7184[3]
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Helmsdale railway station is a railway station serving the village of Helmsdale in the Highland council area, northern Scotland. It is located on the Far North Line, between Brora and Kildonan, 101 miles 40 chains (163.3 km) from Inverness.[4] ScotRail, who manage the station, operate all services.

History

[edit]
Looking south from Helmsdale in 2015

The Duke of Sutherland's Railway had opened between Dunrobin and West Helmsdale (near Gartymore) on 1 November 1870.[5] Extensions of this line southward to Golspie and northward to Helmsdale were opened on 19 June 1871.[6][7] The station buildings were designed by the architect William Fowler.

Another company, the Sutherland and Caithness Railway (S&CR), was authorised on 13 July 1871 to take over the powers of the projected Caithness Railway and link Helmsdale with that line at Georgemas Junction, and the S&CR opened on 28 July 1874.[8]

The station master's house on the platform was abandoned in the 1980s. In 2013 it was refitted as self-catering holiday accommodation.[9]

On 7 August 2024, King Charles III visited Helmsdale Railway Station to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sutherland and Caithness railway line. The King, met railway workers, representatives of Helmsdale Community Council and members of Sutherland Schools Pipe Band. He afterwards laid flowers at Helmsdale War Memorial to mark its Centenary and met veterans and members of the local community.[10]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

On 29 April 1891 there was a collision between a down mixed train from Inverness which ran into an engine which had arrived earlier. Major Marindin of the Board of Trade investigated and found that the driver Robert Lindsay deliberately ignored the signals as he would have had difficulty in restarting the train on the rising gradient of 1 in 59.[11]

Facilities

[edit]

Both platforms have waiting areas and benches, whilst platform 2 also has a help point. Bike racks and a car park are adjacent to platform 2. There is step free access to platform 2 only; platform 1 can only be accessed via the footbridge.[12]

Passenger volume

[edit]
Passenger Volume at Helmsdale[13]
2002–03 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23
Entries and exits 3,972 3,513 3,514 4,456 5,348 5,646 5,680 5,656 6,086 5,828 5,778 5,096 6,204 5,768 4,636 5,044 5,086 564 3,168 3,484

The statistics cover twelve month periods that start in April.

Services

[edit]

Mondays to Saturdays, there are four train each way that call here - southbound to Dingwall & Inverness and northbound to Wick via Thurso. Sundays see a single departure each way.[14]

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Brora   ScotRail
Far North Line 		  Kildonan
  Historical railways  
West Helmsdale
Line open, station closed 		  Highland Railway
Left arrow Duke of Sutherland's Railway
Sutherland and Caithness Railway Right arrow 		  Salzcraggie Platform
Line open, station closed

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Brailsford, Martyn, ed. (December 2017) [1987]. "Gaelic/English Station Index". Railway Track Diagrams 1: Scotland & Isle of Man (6th ed.). Frome: Trackmaps. ISBN 978-0-9549866-9-8.
  2. ^ Deaves, Phil. "Railway Codes". railwaycodes.org.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  3. ^ "HELMSDALE RAILWAY STATION INCLUDING FOOTBRIDGE AND SIGNAL BOX". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  4. ^ Bridge, Mike, ed. (2017). TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain: A Comprehensive Geographic Atlas Showing the Rail Network of Great Britain (3rd ed.). Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 978-1909431-26-3.
  5. ^ Vallance, H.A.; Clinker, C.R.; Lambert, Anthony J. (1985) [1938]. The Highland Railway (4th ed.). Newton Abbot: David & Charles. pp. 36, 176. ISBN 0-946537-24-0.
  6. ^ "Helmsdale Station". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  7. ^ Vallance, Clinker & Lambert 1985, pp. 36, 173.
  8. ^ Vallance, Clinker & Lambert 1985, pp. 37, 175.
  9. ^ "Self Catering Accommodation on a working railway station in the north of Scotland". Helmsdale Station. Helmsdale Station CIC. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  10. ^ "King visits Helmsdale as village marks centenary of war memorial and 150th anniversary of railway line". The Northern Times. The Northern Times. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Helmsdale. Board of Trade Report". Aberdeen Evening Express. British Newspaper Archive. 15 June 1891. Retrieved 14 August 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "National Rail Enquiries -". www.nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Estimates of station usage | ORR Data Portal". dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  14. ^ eNRT December 2021 Edition, Table 219
[edit]
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