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