Greenock and Ayrshire Railway

The growing trade in passenger steamer transits to towns and resorts in the Firth of Clyde was inhibited by the necessary five minute walk from the station to the berth past overcrowded housing.

The G&SWR offered the possibility of a new direct rail connection to a new harbour and pier to the north-west of the town, which the Burgh was then constructing.

The Greenock terminal was named Albert Harbour, and as well as Clyde coastal shipping, there was a considerable emigrant trade at this time.

Evidently the supposed advantage of proximity to the quayside at Greenock (and a shorter route from Carlisle and Kilmarnock, via Johnstone) did not result in dominance in traffic share.

In 1894 the station was relocated 100 yards (91 m) to the north-west, closer to the steamer berths and providing more lavish facilities, featuring six Italianate towers.

The G&SWR wished to retain its place in the marine activity and decided to build a connecting line eastwards from Lynedoch, requiring a short tunnel.

[3][page needed] The west curve at Johnstone, giving through running from that station towards Greenock, was an accident of history (of the Bridge of Weir Railway).

[10][11] On 5 August 1912 storms and torrential rain brought a torrent down the West Burn,[9] and overspill on to Inverkip Road worsened when the corporation's culvert inlet was blocked by debris and their pond overflowed.

[10] A rush of water swept debris including a second car down the sloping tunnel to Princes Pier station, and flooded the sidings preceding their bridge over Brougham Street.

Rescue facilities were set up in the Picture Palace Cinema, and photographs taken from its upper floor showed water pouring over the sidings.

A train of 37 wagons of cattle left Albert Harbour for Carlisle at 9.00 p.m., double headed, the pilot engine being a 2-6-4 tank.

[13][page needed] However the Glasgow St Enoch railway station to Greenock Prince's Pier Ocean Liner boat trains continued running until 30 November 1965.

In fact this did not prove a long-term opportunity, and rail movement became dormant for many years; containers in use were larger than the original 8-foot size, and cannot be moved through the tunnels, and the line was officially closed on 30 September 1991.

[14] The 1966 closure at Greenock left the line open from Elderslie to Kilmacolm; local passenger services continued, using diesel multiple units.