Gallery:B7076
Doesn't strictly belong in this folder but this old blue-edged sign can be seen in Gretna.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
A plethora of direction signs opposite The Old Blacksmith's Shop!
Posted by David--B on 6/30/2004
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Apr 27, 2005 by M4Simon
It's amazing to think that four lanes squeezed over this bridge. There couldn't have been much of a central reservation. Last time I passed over it trucks had taken to parking on the verges, but they've put cones out as you can see to prevent this.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18509.JPG)
At the beginning of the drop down to Nether Howcleugh. 1990s A74(M) to the left. This is at the top end of the old separate north & southbound carriageways, which were somedistance apart between here and the railway bridge.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680
This stub of the original alignment diverges from the 1960s alignment near Nether Howcleugh, and drops down to the railway bridge there.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680
1990s M74 up on the left, original alignment curving down to the left to the railway bridge, & 1960s alignment (old southbound carriageway) to the right
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680
Taken from the stub of the original alignment that drops down to the railway bridge at Nether Howcleugh
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680_Nether_Howcleugh_-_Coppermine_-_18505.JPG)
This was the section of A74 where the northbound was some distance up the hill from the southbound. I clambered up the bank to see if there was any trace of it. You can make out the general alignment, but there's no trace whatsoever of the old road surface. It's been given back entirely to nature. You can see the old southbound down to the right.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18504.JPG)
Looking north from the railway bridge, you can make out roughly where the old northbound diverged up the hill to the left
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18503.JPG)
This shows the old southbound lane, apparently heading straight for the bridge, but remember that this bridge was replaced a couple of years ago, and the general alignment viz-a-viz old north & southbound carriageways must've been rearranged at that time. this car park is accessed via a stub of the older A74 alignment from the top of the hill behind the camera
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680
A mile north of Beattock this old curve remains. 1960s A74 visible (B7076) on the right
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 16, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18495.JPG)
There's the odd clue to the old second carriageway, like this one here where you can see the white lines
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18494.JPG)
dropping down into the village from the north
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18493.JPG)
Ecclefechan Main St is a lovely wide old street
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
This remnant of an earlier age remains at thenorth end of Ecclefechan Main St. They don't seem to use the term 'The North' any more which I think is a shame. Even theough I'm from 'The North' referred to here, it conjures up images of an adventurous journey into the unknown. A flight of fancy perhaps but then maybe I'm just old fashioned, like this road sign!
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
This was no doubt a popular stopping off place on journeys up and down the original A74
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
Original route through the village to the right, an early by-pass to the left.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
I know it's been done before, but here it is again, on the old northbound carriageway. The well tended lawn here is because it is next to someone's house. As you can see the rest of the northbound isn't this neat. It would cost a fortune to do so! Think you'd struggle to find all these service now in Beattock
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
This splendid old Inn was always a landmark on the old A74. It looks rather unused now, which is a shame for such an elegant building.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18486.JPG)
This was another landmark on the old A74, just north of Beattock
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
The original A74 would've gone up through the vilage to the right, whilst an early by-pass goes up to the left
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
Even now there are still a few references to the A74, ie not 'M' on these signs in the Ecclefechan vilage.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
At the south end of Ecclefechan, the original A74 goes straight on (note the white lines in the foreground), whilst now the road curves round to the left under the A74(M)
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680
Whereas now the road exits Ecclefechan curving under the existing A74(M).
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18476.JPG)
B7076 as it enters Kirkpatrick Fleming from the north
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18472.JPG)
Just before the old A74 crosses the border it would've gone through Springfield, just south of Gretna
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18471.JPG)
Looking north. A sleepy wee place.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 15, 2008 by leopard680_-_Coppermine_-_18470.JPG)
_Johnstonebridge_-_Coppermine_-_18406.JPG)
A lovely evening at Johnstonebridge, looking south. you can see the A74(M), and just to the left of it the old alignment of the A74 - it crosses over the A74(M) just south of here.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jun 10, 2008 by leopard680
This direction sign on the B7076 appears to have something underneath (A74(M))
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
The close up of the patching shows that (M6) can be easily seen underneath (A74(M)).
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
The outline of (M6) underneath (A74(M)) has been picked out in red.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
A mileage sign on the B7076 with the west coast mainline and the A74(M) in the background. As can be seen the (A74(M) South) has clearly been stuck over something else.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
The outline of (M6 South) can be made out underneath (A74(M) South)
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
This photo has the outline of the (M6 South) that can be seen underneath (A74(M) South) highlighted in red.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
Not much effort's been made here to disguise the true identity of the A74(M)!
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 08, 2005 by A68Nick
I wonder if the rushes growing on the old northbound are naturally occuring, but their fairly consistent edge line makes me think they might've been planted to aid the 'back to nature' process.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680
The grassed over southbound is clearly visible.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680
About to pass under the A74M, the route, as part of the National Cycle Network is being well used.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680
A little bit blurred, but this clearly shows the grassed over old northbound, with cycle track. Some of the original (?) silver grey granite chip surface remains.
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680
Looking across the grassed over old northbound, this motorway-sized sign looks most incongruous
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680
This distinctive telephone exchange was always a landmark on the old A74, just north of Beattock
Originally uploaded to Coppermine on Jul 02, 2007 by leopard680