Carsphairn

00 London Midland Scottish Railway/Scottish Region 12 foot by 3 foot

 
Opening in 1905 and its relative success lead to a proposal to extend the Cairn Valley Light Railway [Dumfries - Moniaive] 26 miles to Dalmellington via Carsphairn creating a shorter route from England to Ayr, the south of the Ayrshire coal field, and Dalmellington [an important coal & steel town]. The line would have been expensive to build [a Bridge over the Waters of Ken and lots of cuttings & embankments to minimising grades] and operate [long climbs of over 1:50]. It would have served an area of sheep farming [Carsphairn sheep fair is in early June], quarrying and mining [lead/zinc/silver at Woodhead & haematite at Black Craig].
History has been twisted with the line coming to fruition, becoming part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923 and British Railways Scottish Region in 1948. The layout can exhibited with late 30’s London Midland and Scottish Railway or 1950’s Scottish Region stock including Pannier tanks that surprisingly made their way to Scotland.

The photos are of a Dalmellington bound local passenger train most goods activity at Caraphairn relate to the quarries at either end of the station.