Dumbarton Central Station & The Armed Forces Veterans Association

How to get there : Dumbarton Central Station, if not reached by rail, is from Station Road or Church Street / Townend Road.

The Armed Forces Veterans Association can be found on Platform Two. This is a small but fascinating centre for the veterans of our armed services. You are invited to pop in to see what they do and perhaps exchange stories. Those manning it are keen to chat about the association and children may find the models of interest.

The group assists anyone, of any age, who has served in the Armed Forces at any point in their life and also helps families to overcome difficulties.

Volunteers – many of whom are veterans themselves – provide support across a wide range of areas. Projects include helping people find employment, offering practical and emotional support after marriage breakups, assisting in finding accommodation, relieving the negative impact of social isolation, and directing individuals to where to find help and advice on benefits.

But the centre also welcomes visitors and is keen to show what it does and to share information on the armed forces. There is a small display.

There is a small cafe on Platform One.

The station is a category A listed building, a great example of Scottish industrial heritage. The railway originally opened 1854, but was altered and widened to the south in about 1896. The present structures are mostly from 1896 although electrification had an impact on the canopies.

There are several gothick features such as castelated parapets and stone windows at the lower level. In its heyday, the lower level had various rooms for tickets, baggage, waiting areas etc and these were served by a pair of ornately tiled stairs (they are still there, but concealed).

The station is currently the focus of a study to improve it and the surrounds.

Saturday 1st September.

Find out about our armed forces.

This Doors Open Day we are drawing attention to the Armed Forces Veterans Association which can be found on Platform Two. This is a small but fascinating centre for the veterans of our armed services. You are invited to pop in to see what they do and perhaps exchange stories. Those manning it are keen to chat about the association and children may find the models of interest.