With the unreliability of the trains in the area on several occasions l have had the misfortune to…read morebe dumped here as the train had to go back to Glasgow. At this station there is nothing here apart from a few benches, there is no real shelter if it's windy or raining. Dumbarton east train station can be quite a grubby or dirty place it doesn't look as if it's kept clean or maintained to a basic standard.

Despite the closeby proximity of Dumbarton Central, one of the grandest stations on the local line,…read morethe town's other station is really rather nice as well. One of the few in the set-up to sport a fetching island platform, it is served by trains on the North Clyde Line. While somewhat frustratingly it remains unstaffed, it does receive bonus points for its cycle racks and nearby car park.

Langbank Railway Station offers gorgeous views of the Clyde and across to Dumbarton beyond…read more The last time I visited, salt had been put on the cold ground, so the railway workers receive thumbs up from me for that. Langbank serves trains to Glasgow every half hour.

Despite serving one of the less mainstream areas on the local lines, Dalreoch station is fairly…read morewell equipped and represents an extremely handy resource for locals. On first sight it resembles one of the more stripped down offerings from Scotrail. However, you can expect this station to be staffed on most occasions, particularly handy given four trains an hour to Glasgow and two to Balloch go through here, with better than expected disabled access. There is also a car park offering 18 spaces and a handful of cycle racks.

Sitting next to a big disused World War II explosives factory nestling in the middle of a remote…read morepine forest on one side, Bishopton station stands out like a sore thumb on the Gourock/Wemyss Bay line. Passing these old barrack-like buildings, you feel like you're on one of these mysterious military railways in the middle of Russia or Germany. The other side of the station is quite different though, revealing a quite ordinary, large village on the outskirts of Glasgow, now cut off from the main road into the city following the opening of the M8 motorway a while back. The station is served by three trains an hour between Glasgow Central-Gourock, and one between Glasgow Central-Weymss Bay. Yes, both the 'fast train' and the 'slow train' stop here, unlike many stations on this route only served twice an hour by the 'slow train'. There is a ticket office and platform access is via a footbridge. The station is relatively busy at rush hour, as are the trains at this time, so if you're boarding here don't be expecting much choice of seats.

A famous painting by artist Terence Cuneo in the early '60s, used in a British Railways advertising…read morecampaign, depicted one of the brand new 'Blue Trains' sweeping past Bowling. The scene at Bowling still looks quite similar today, with the old harbour alongside the station giving it a picturesque backdrop on the River Clyde. The station has been modernised to an extent though - the usual platform tannoy and 'bus shelter' waiting rooms common with all Glasgow stations, though there is no ticket office. Bowling is essentially a commuter station, meaning it is usually pretty quiet for most of the day. But being in such an exposed location right next to the sea can make it very cold and windy, and this isn't helped by the fact one of the waiting rooms only has one side to it.

Oh how I love Bowling train station on a hot summer's day, when the sun shimmers off the Clyde and…read moreyou're offered spectacular views of the surrounding areas. It's almost enough to make you want to miss your train. But then there's the flipside - winters at Bowling train station. Oh dear. Exposed to all the elements, a wet and windy day here is a truly horrific experience. Offering limited protection and no ticket office, it's a fairly basic station which is generally appallingly designed for a Scottish climate. For days like the latter, I recommend popping into the Railway Inn slightly further up the road and doing everything you can to ensure your platform waiting time is seriously limited.

Balloch may not be the most desirable of places to go, but there is plenty to do in this area…read more The train station has a small platform, with a ticket office, waiting room. The area has an out door shelter area and bike storage area. Across from the train station there is a shop & local chippy. A few yards up the road you have sweeneys cruises,hotels &B&B's Just across the road there is public toilets

I have traveled to cardross on many occasions, a good destination to for a day out, with the shore…read moreless than 30 yards from the station, There do have a large car park and a safe place to lock your bike, sadly the station is only maned a few hours a day, lucky there are shelters outside if it's raining. Sadly the toilets are only open when the station is open, so if you are cut short you will have to the shore as there is no where else to go.

A useful station in Cardross which is about 20 miles from Glasgow on the north bank of the River…read moreClyde. It is manned on a part-time basis. There are two platforms and there is a train from here to Glasgow every half hour or so. The station is very close to the beach where you can take a stroll while waiting for a train. The small car park is on the other side of the station.

Were the Railway Inn situated a little further up the road, you'd be talking a Scottish…read moreinstitution. Unfortunately for its owners, Bowling still ranks a fair way behind the likes of Helensburgh and Balloch when it comes to tourist magnetism. On the plus side, that means for those who are aware of this place's existence, prices remain local friendly and the bar retains a homely, welcoming charm that's not diluted by floods of visitors popping in. Handily situated beside Bowling train station, one of the most exposed on the line, the Railway Inn not only represents a fantastic place to shelter from the elements but also a cracking spot for some traditional Scottish pub fare. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Nice friendly relaxed pub dining their steak pie is one of the best in the business! Generous…read moreportions, friendly staff and great value for money.

Ohhhh Patterton. What a sad train station. It's barely even a station, and more of an lonely,…read moredesolate area with two platforms, a bridge and one small shelter for those "rare" Scottish days of bad weather. This is my local station though, and needs must. I like that trains seem to arrive on time and if the driver sees you running for the train, they'll (mostly) wait for you. I've had some great times standing at this platform, most notably in the snow in negative temperatures and then tramping back home again as the train was a no-show. There's now an extra car park in addition to the one at the station, it's over the road and has a stupidly located exit so you have to go back on yourself to get out and over to the station. Nothing like a mad dash to run for the train first thing in the morning. II'd love it if they upgraded Patterton to make it more like its glamorous neighbour, Whitecraigs. Now this is a fancy station - they even have flower planter boxes and an indoor waiting area. Alas, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon.