Drumfrochar railway station

Drumfrochar railway station is a railway station located in a residential district in the south-western part of Greenock, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail and is on the Inverclyde Line, 23 miles (37 km) west of Glasgow Central. Upon exiting the station to the west, one is confronted with panoramic views over the south-west of the town, including Greenock prison. Opened on 24 May 1998, it is the newest station on the line. The station is on the site of the Greenock rail crash in 1994.

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86 m

Greenock rail crash

On 25 June 1994, the 22:45 from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow, in Scotland, derailed and smashed into a bridge after hitting concrete blocks placed deliberately on the railway by vandals outside of where Drumfrochar railway station would be opened 4 years later. The train involved was a refurbished Class 303 Electric Multiple Unit. The concrete blocks were cable-trough covers, which were placed across the rails of the single-track line by two vandals who had climbed down to the railway to urinate on their way home. The railway at this point is on a curve, going to the right as the train was travelling. The leading bogie of the EMU derailed and the train immediately collided with the solid structure of the overbridge, crushing the driver's cab, killing driver Arthur McKee, 35, and also killing passenger Alan Nicol, 21, who was seated immediately behind the cab, with his back to the partition. Alan Nicol had taken this location to reduce the risk of injury from broken glass should the train be stoned by vandals, which was a common occurrence in that area. Including the two trainstaff, the train was carrying six people. Following the tragedy, many youths in the surrounding area were questioned by police regarding the incident. After a trial by the High Court, Gary Dougan and Craig Houston, two 17-year-olds from Greenock were each imprisoned for 15 years for culpable homicide. Dougan and Houston launched an appeal against their convictions two years later. In September 1996, the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh upheld both convictions.

Notre Dame High School, Greenock

Notre Dame High School is an 11–18 Roman Catholic secondary school situated in the town of Greenock in the Inverclyde area of Scotland. During 2023–2024, the school had a roll of 903 pupils, serving the central, west and east areas of Greenock. The incumbent Head Teacher, Anne Munro, was appointed to the position in August 2021.

Overton, Greenock

Overton is an area in the suburbs of Greenock, Inverclyde. Overton offers excellent views across the River Clyde and suburban Greenock. The area is the closest in Greenock to "The Cut", which was completed in 1827, bringing a water supply 9 km (5.6 mi) from Loch Thom to Overton. The Shaws Water Works provided power to mills down the hill slope from Overton as well as the water supply for the town of Greenock. The nearly horizontal pathway beside the cut soon became a popular walk, offering views of the town and surrounding scenery. An alternative track goes over the hill from Overton to Loch Thom and is more challenging.

HM Prison Greenock

HMP Greenock is a prison located in Greenock, Scotland, serving designated courts in western Scotland by holding male prisoners on remand, and short-term convicted prisoners. It also provides a national facility for selected prisoners serving 12 years or over, affording them the opportunity for progression towards release. It also accommodates a small number of female prisoners ranging from remand to long-term. Although officially labelled as HMP Greenock, it continues to be known by its original name Gateside Prison.