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

    The Bank of Scotland is founded
    The Bank of Scotland was formed under the authority of an Act of the Scottish Parliament on 17 July 1695, and opened the following February.

  • 02

    Queen Elizabeth II opens Waverley Mall
    Waverley Mall was officially opened on 25 July 1985, but had been welcoming customers since November the previous year.

  • 03

    Designer Robert Adam is born
    Robert Adam's works include Edinburgh’s Royal Exchange, the Old College of the University of Edinburgh, and Osterley Park in London

  • 04

    Glasgow Cathedral is consecrated
    Glasgow Cathedral is named after St Mungo, and was consecrated in 1136, around 500 years after the saint's death.

FREE Scotland history newsletter

Don't miss our weekly update on Scotland's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.