31st July 1845

The Caledonian Railway is founded

The Caledonian Railway was established in 1845, and opened its first line, between Glasgow and Carlisle, via Edinburgh, three years later. On arriving at Carlisle, passengers could change to connecting services for London.

Over subsequent years, its network was significantly extended, eventually encompassing Aberdeen, through a combination of investment, leasing lines, and acquiring other railway companies. The company also signed agreements with various steamer companies, which would allow it to sell tickets that combined train and ship journeys to link Scotland’s cities and islands.

Quintinshill crash

In 1915, five trains were involved in head-on collisions on the Caledonian Railway at Quintinshill. More than 220 died, and close to 250 were injured in the British network’s worst ever railway accident.

The Caledonian Railway became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway when Britain’s rail companies were rationalised in the early 1920s.

 

 

Other events that occured in July

  • 01

    Glasgow Science Centre opens
    Queen Elizabeth II opened the Glasgow Science Centre on the Clyde waterfront, close to the new headquarters of BBC Scotland.

  • 02

    Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, is burned at the stake
    Janet Douglas was accused of a plot to poison king James V. She was tried and convicted of treason, and burned at the stake in Edinburgh.

  • 03

    NHS Scotland is founded
    NHS Scotland was founded under the authority of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947 and came into existence on 5 July 1948.

  • 04

    Commuter trains crash at Newton
    Two passengers and both drivers when a pair of trains crashed head on at Newton station, around six miles outside of Glasgow.

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