Complacency Sets In  (1890 - 1948)

The years following the start of the 20th century saw an established rail network in private hands and presumably performing in a reasonably efficient manner. It would appear that, in general, for the next approximately sixty years, the people of Perth forgot about the railways, and of the economic and social advantages gained by its presence.

The major restructuring and amalgamation of the companies, in 1923, saw the elimination of the Highland Railway as the company operating the Perth to Inverness route, and its absorption into the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). The Caledonian Railway, (controlling routes from Carlisle and Glasgow to Perth) also became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) linked to what is now know as the 'West Coast Main Line' from London Euston.  The eastern routes from London Kings Cross via Edinburgh, and through Kinross to Perth and Aberdeen, formerly the North British Railway, became the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER).  This major restructuring of a major local employer, seems to have made no significant impact on the good burghers of Perth, judging from the total lack of press comment.


 Perth General Station in its early years.  It is difficult to tell if this is a north or south facing view.  I am of he opinion that is is looking south.  In which case the platform on the left hand side of the picture has been filled in.  The platform on the far right of the picture is the existing platform 7.  However, it would appear that the existing platforms 5 an 6 going south, and still in use, do not appear to have been built when this photo was taken.  In the full size photo the sign on the second pillar in from the right hand say "No Smoking ...".  Just imagine, a ban on smoking in public places in the 19th century!  As the saying goes "What goes around comes around"
 (Photograph courtesy of Perth Museum and Art Gallery, Perth & Kinross Council, Scotland.  Use of this image by third parties and end users is strictly prohibited except for private studies.)

The records of the Perth branch of the Railway Clerks Association also fails to reveal any information on local feelings, even among railway employees, as, for the twelve months prior to the amalgamations, and the six months after, the local branch minutes advise us at the monthly meetings that "... owing to disagreements with headquarters no communication from them will be read." Neither were the amalgamations debated if the minutes of the branch meetings are to be considered reliable. The fact that, even as early as 1923, the railway companies saw the need to unite into stronger, and financially more powerful units, to fight the increasing competition from road transport should have sounded warning bells as to the nature of the long term threat to the rail network by road transport.

With the benefit of hindsight, the threat to the rail network from this "new" form of transport first manifested itself in the Perth area by the closure of the Bankfoot branch line, and the closure of Bankfoot station to passengers, in 1931. The next closure followed in 1937 with the cessation of passenger traffic on the branch line to Methven, which ran approximately one and a half miles to Methven from the Perth to Crieff main line.

On the positive side, the mid 1930's also saw the LMS identify Perth as being of strategic importance, and commenced to upgrade its Edinburgh Road motive power depot which was completed in 1937. It proved to be tile last major investment which was to survive in a productive capacity for any length of time.

At the same time, the opening of the ice rink, in the Dunkeld Road, in 1936 prompted the LMS to open a new "station" at Muirton to cater. for skaters and football fans visiting the St. Johnstone football ground, then also situated in the Dunkeld Road. The structure, made entirely of wood, was built next to. the overbridge on the north side Crieff Road and had six trains stopping there betvveen noon and 2.30 pm, on Saturday afternoons. Having deposited the supporters and skaters at Muirton however, the LMS the behaved in a way that would have made British Rail proud, it failed to provide any trains stopping there to take them home again. The closure date of this station is not recorded but it seems reasonable to assume World War II would force it's closure.

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