History
The line began life as a waggonway which opened in 1831 between Ardrossan and Kilwinning and was known as the Ardrossan and Johnstone Railway. It was initially built to the Scotch gauge of 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm) and was worked by horses. For passenger services, a carriage held 24 passengers; 16 inside and 8 outside.
The railway was built by the Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal company. It commenced on the west side of Ardrossan harbour. It was intended to terminate at Johnstone, to connect with the Glasgow, Paisley and Johnstone Canal. However, this never occurred due to lack of money. It therefore terminated at Kilwinning.
The 3-mile (4.8 km) long Doura branch left the main line near Stevenston and crossed under the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway to reach the Doura coal pit. The 0.5-mile (805 m) Fergus Hill branch left the Doura branch just after the Lugton Water crossing to reach the Fergus Hill coal pit.
In 1840 the line was regauged to standard gauge and connected with the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway at Kilwinning station; and in 1854 both lines merged with the new Glasgow and South Western Railway.
Read more about this topic: Ardrossan Railway
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