Ayrshire Coast Line, Glasgow
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The Ayrshire Coast Line is one of the lines within the Strathclyde suburban rail network. It serves 26 stations, and connects the towns of the Ayrshire coast to Glasgow. There are three branches, terminating at Largs, Ardrossan Harbour and Ayr, all running into the high level at Glasgow Central.
The route is operated by First ScotRail on behalf of Strathclyde Passenger Transport as part of the larger Strathclyde network.
In 1985, the line was electrified along its entire length, and the Class 318 electric multiple unit rolling stock was introduced.
In 2002, the newer Class 334 "Juniper" displaced most of the Class 318s onto the Argyle, and North Clyde Lines.
Route
The line runs the same route as the Inverclyde Line as far as Paisley Gilmour Street, where it turns south to Kilwinning. Here the line branches in two, with one branch running south along the coast to Troon and Ayr. This branch also serves the station at Prestwick Airport, which opened in 1994. The other branch runs north along the coast to Ardrossan or Largs. This part of the network is heavily used by freight traffic to carry coal from the Hunterston ore terminal. Beyond Ayr, diesel trains continue south towards Stranraer.
The line connects with several ferry services, at Troon (to Belfast), Ardrossan (to Brodick on the Isle of Arran) and at Largs (to the isle of Great Cumbrae).