The line was never successful and closed in 1939, although the Strathaven to Darvel section was used for broken wagons until the end of the war when they were either disposed of or repaired.

The closed line was used to store hundreds of damaged railway wagons that were awaiting repair.

[5] Strathaven Central station was also on the old Caledonian Railway line to Stonehouse that remained open until 4 October 1965.

Strathaven Central to Stonehouse closed to freight on 7 December 1964 and to passengers on 4 October 1965.

The goods shed burned in a blaze on the evening of 14 November 2014, the station master's house is still extant.