Penicuik Railway
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The Penicuik Railway Company built a four and a half mile long, single track branch railway line in Midlothian, Scotland, that ran from Hawthornden junction on the Peebles Railway line to Penicuik via three intermediate stations, Rosslyn Castle, Auchendinny and Eskbridge.[1]
History
The line was authorised by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 28 June 1870, and with the opening of the Mauricewood Pit near Penicuik that year work started almost immediately. The line was difficult to construct as it crossed the River Esk seven times in a two and a half mile section, also requiring a viaduct and two tunnels. [2] A section of the line between Rosslynlee and Auchindinny had to be put in a tube to prevent sparks igniting a nearby gunpowder factory. The line opened to goods on 9 May 1872 and to passengers on 2 September 1872. In 1876 the line became part of the North British Railway. Iron and coal was mined by the Shotts Iron Company at the Mauricewood pit near Penicuik making transportation of these minerals to Morningside in Lanarkshire one of the principal uses of the line.[3] There were also several paper mills in the area which made good use of the railway. The town and its surroundings was an attractive development area. The coming of the railways enabled business people to move there, commuting daily to work in Edinburgh. The line prospered for many years as it provided the only form of public transport between Penicuik and Edinburgh. In 1887 there were five weekday trains but no Sunday service. [2] The Mauricewood Colliery disaster of 1886 led to the pit's closure, which was a major loss to the line.
Closure and current use
Auchendinny station was closed on 5 March 1951 with the rest of the line closing to passengers traffic on 9 September that year. There was, however, a 'J36 Railtour' on 29 August 1964. After two landslides in 1966 the line was deemed uneconomical to repair and closed completely on 27 March 1967. The Penicuik Railway is now part of the National Cycle Network as route 73. [4]
References
- ↑ http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Penicuik_Railway/frame.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Disused stations".}
- ↑ Thomas, John (1976). Forgotten Railways Scotland. David & Charles. p. 48. ISBN 0-7153-7185-1.
- ↑ http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/scotland/Penicuik_to_Dalkeith.pdf