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Kilmarnock And Troon Railway
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Hand-drawn map of the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/60.jpg "MAP")
![The 1812 Laigh Milton Viaduct, earliest surviving viaduct built on a public railway.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/7000/7023.jpg "Laigh Milton Viaduct")
![An unidentified 2P 4-4-0 passing through Gatehead station on 29 July 1953 with a Kilmarnock - Ayr train. [Ref query 6590]<br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 29/07/1953]](/images/51000/51108.jpg "Gatehead")
![Hurlford shed's Standard Mogul 77016 passing through Drybridge station on 3 August 1958 with a Sunday Ayr to Kilmarnock train. [Ref query 13886] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 03/08/1958]](/images/51000/51882.jpg "Drybridge")
![Jubilee 45657 <I>Tyrwhitt</I> photographed at Thirdpart Junction on 6 May 1954 with a Kilmarnock to Ayr train. [Ref query 2631] <br><br>[G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 06/05/1964]](/images/51000/51182.jpg "Thirdpart Junction")
![Barassie Junction and Signalbox looking southwest from the road bridge approach, 23 August, 1982. At the time, preparations were underway behind the 'box for the deviation of the line to ease the curve onto the line to Troon station, this connected up after the Troon avoiding line formally closed on Saturday, 27 November, 1982. The old Kilmarnock & Troon Railway alignment that formerly ran round to the harbour from Barassie Junction had been cut back to become dead-end sidings, circa 1973, when the harbour sidings were lifted, these sidings still in use in August, 1982 and visible behind the Signalbox, with what appeared to be a rail-mounted crane standing in the headshunt. There had been three more dead-end sidings on the west side of the Signalbox (on the original alignment of the K&TR), but these had been lifted after Barassie Works closed in (I believe) 1972.<br><br>[Robert Blane 23/08/1982]](/images/58000/58905.jpg "Barassie Junction")
![Looking northeast from the road bridge over Barassie Junction, Monday, 29 November, 1982, with the weekend's work by the PW and signalling engineers plain to see (well it would be if the photo was of better quality). Track-wise, the Kilmarnock line had been reduced to a single line (until that weekend, double track had extended round the curve onto the straight towards Drybridge before converged into single line to Kilmarnock, whilst a new crossover had been formed from the slewed 'up' (southbound) main line onto the old alignment of the same line, both 'Up' and 'Down' main lines slewed west starting from the platform ends approximately. The semaphore signals were in the process of being felled, their arms already removed, their replacements in the form of colour lights just about visible beyond the footbridges (that over the Kilmarnock lines was removed along with the signals, whilst the other section over the line to Irvine survived until electrification saw it replaced, circa 1985. The temporary Signalbox, officially opened that day, is the brick-built structure on the east side of the line between the footbridge and the remains of the Kilmarnock line bracket signal. <br><br>[Robert Blane 29/10/1982]](/images/58000/58938.jpg "Barassie")
![The hulk of ex-French Navy 'Sirius' Class minesweeper 'Vega' (P707) photographed beached on the east (North Shore) side of the East Pier at Troon Harbour, 26 November, 1982. The partially demolished vessel had been deliberately beached by the Shipbreakers on that side of the pier in the usual way in preparation for final breaking but had been blown further ashore and slewed round during a recent storm. 'Vega' and her sister 'Sagittaire' (P743) had arrived at Troon under tow of the Frank Pierce tug, 'Pullwell Lima', 22 April, 1982 (other sources quote 01 April as the arrival date for both vessels) and they lay at the East Pier for several months before breaking started as there were other vessels being dealt with first.<br><br>[Robert Blane 26/11/1982]](/images/58000/58933.jpg "Troon Harbour East Pier")
![Looking south from the road overbridge at Barassie Junction, Monday, 29 November, 1982, the line straight ahead is the Troon avoiding line, closed Saturday, 27 November to allow the alterations to the junction to be completed. The new double track deviation, joggled behind the Signalbox (itself officially closed the day before and already being demolished), had opened that morning and would be slewed across onto its final and faired up alignment, next weekend I think it was, after demolition of the 'box was completed. The southbound line onto the Troon loop was retained as a loop off the main line, the former junction points becoming the access to Barassie run-round loop and yard. Note also that the connection of the deviation to the Troon loop at its south end took out the connection to the sidings on the old K&TR alignment, these lifted soon afterwards as part of the general tidying up process around the junction.<br><br>[Robert Blane 29/11/1982]](/images/58000/58945.jpg "Barassie Junction")
![27021 & 20152 double-heading an Ayr-bound freight off the Kilmarnock line at Barassie Junction, 29 November, 1982, its only option for onward travel being the former southbound line onto the Troon loop, seen curving away to the right behind the Signalbox. The 'box had officially closed on the day before and the Troon avoiding line closed on Saturday, 27 November, the junction modified over that weekend and re-opened (deviation behind the 'box and the original 'up' line, which became the loop) that morning, all other track out of use. The Signalbox was already being demolished, one intrepid workman up on the roof stripping slates off as the train passed.<br><br>[Robert Blane 29/11/1982]](/images/58000/58951.jpg "Barassie Junction")
![Approaching Gatehead level crossing and signal box on 31 August 1985 on a westbound special. [See image 24153] <br><br>[Bill Roberton 31/08/1985]](/images/51000/51721.jpg "Gatehead")
![View from a passing train of Hillhouse Quarry and its branch line off the Kilmarnock and Troon, on 31 August 1985. [Ref query 5336]<br><br>[Bill Roberton 31/08/1985]](/images/51000/51740.jpg "Hillhouse Quarry")
![Fairlie Junction looking east, 17 November, 1985. The hut visible was in the vee of the junction and taller tree/bush on the right is on the Fairlie Branch trackbed.<br><br>[Robert Blane 17/11/1985]](/images/53000/53989.jpg "Thirdpart Junction")
![Gatehead from the west on a bitterly cold 28 December, 1985. Left to right: 'Up' (to Kilmarnock) platform, level crossing, 'Down' platform (just visible), signalbox, goods yard (scrapyard recently departed) and goods shed.<br><br>[Robert Blane 28/12/1985]](/images/53000/53985.jpg "Gatehead")
![Troon Harbour and Ailsa shipbuilders viewed from the eastern breakwater. Both sides of the harbour were rail-served.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1987]](/images/8000/8234.jpg "Troon")
![Troon Harbour looking to the land along the eastern breakwater. Ailsa Shipbuilders on right.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1987]](/images/8000/8235.jpg "Troon")
![Many locomotives met their end here. By the brick structure was Troon shed where locomotives were scrapped. The eastern breakwater can also be seen. This may be the site of the original Troon station.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1987]](/images/8000/8236.jpg "Troon")
![An eastbound 156 passes the junction for the Meadowhall Paper Mill in 1997.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1997]](/images/53000/53911.jpg "Meadowhall Paper Mill")
![View west over the closed Drybridge station in 1997.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1997]](/images/53000/53920.jpg "Drybridge")
![View west from the level crossing at Gatehead showing the disused westbound platform to the left.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1997]](/images/53000/53923.jpg "Gatehead")
![Hunslet Barclay works seen over the CCE sidings and Troon line at Kilmarnock. The view looks southeast.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford 03/04/2005]](/images/2000/2668.jpg "Kilmarnock")
![Some interesting spelling in the CCE sidings at Kilmarnock.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford 03/04/2005]](/images/2000/2673.jpg "Kilmarnock")
![EWS 66086 makes its way over the Level Crossing at the village of Gatehead, Ayrshire, on 12 June 2009. Located on the single line section between Kilmarnock and Barassie, Gatehead station closed in March 1969.<br>
<br><br>[David Forbes 12/06/2009]](/images/24000/24153.jpg "Gatehead")
![The only trace I could find of the railway ever having been at Troon South Pier - embedded track in the premises of Ailsa Shipbuilding, all fenced off in September 2009.<br><br>[Colin Miller 12/09/2009]](/images/45000/45917.jpg "Troon South Pier")
![Bridge No 2 on the Fairlie Branch, just east of Arrothill Farm looking southeast to Caprington, 07 November, 2009. Bridge was built for the opening of the branch, 26 February, 1849 and remains in remarkably good condition despite closure of the branch on 07 April, 1951 (having gone out of use in November, 1950), its care and maintenance being the responsibility of British Railways Residuary and its successors. Given the restricted headroom, this is a rather odd survivor in these days of unrestricted access to everywhere.<br><br>[Robert Blane 07/11/2009]](/images/54000/54004.jpg "Fairlie Junction")
![Bridge No 3 on the Fairlie Branch, looking northwest from Templeton Farm, 07 November, 2009, better known to me as the 'Fortacres Bridge',even though Fortacres Farm is the next one south on the B751 Gatehead to Symington road, and to others as 'The bridge to nowhere' (note lack of embankment to the left (west) side of the bridge. Having been built for the opening of the branch on 26 February, 1849 the bridge remains in remarkably good condition despite closure of the branch on 07 April, 1951 (although it is believed that the section of line from Caprington Junction, about half a mile to the northeast, had been out of use for a long time before that date), like Bridge No 2 its care and maintenance being the responsibility of British Railways Residuary and its successors. In fact, the lighter grey patch on the arch ring at the left side of the height/width marker was a very recent repair. Just out of picture to the left was Newfield Mine, which opened in 1940 and closed 1956, its coal being sent (assume by lorry) to Montgomeryfield, near Dreghorn, for washing.<br><br>[Robert Blane 07/11/2009]](/images/54000/54017.jpg "Fortacres Colliery")
![Looking beyond the description board of Laigh Milton Viaduct on 23 July 2010 towards the historic structure spanning the River Irvine in East Ayrshire. The 1812 viaduct, which once carried the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, was closed in 1846 when the railway was realigned. Restored between 1992 ad 1996, access today is via a path alongside the river.<br><br>[Ken Browne 23/07/2010]](/images/31000/31408.jpg "Laigh Milton Viaduct")
![The grandly titled (on one O/S map at least) Caprington Junction on the Fairlie Branch, photographed looking sou'-sou'-west on 09 April, 2011. This 'junction' consisted of a set of points out in the fields, the line continuing straight ahead to the sou'-sou'-west to Fortacres Bridge (or the 'Bridge to nowhere') over the B751 at the end of the line, although there were several small pits adjacent to the road with rail connections in the early years (the branch opened on 26 February, 1849). The line curving to the left swung round to the northeast and crossed the road which passed under Bridge No 2 on the level at Earlston, where there was a small goods yard, before continuing on to Blacksyke Pit and limekilns (ruins of which are now in the middle of Caprington Golf Course) and beyond. The longest surviving pits on the branch were located on sidings to the south of the branch between Caprington Junction and Earlston, the branch itself finally closed on 07 April, 1951, having gone out of use during November, 1950.<br><br>[Robert Blane 09/04/2011]](/images/54000/54070.jpg "Caprington Junction")
![156462 forming the 1A35 Kilmarnock to Stranraer train on 4 June 2011. Photographed near Dundonald Road from the A71 overbridge.<br><br>[Ken Browne 04/06/2011]](/images/34000/34613.jpg "Thirdpart Junction")
![Looking across the historic Laigh Milton Viaduct, spanning the River Irvine 5 miles west of Kilmarnock, in July 2014. Built by the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway in 1812 it closed in 1846 when the railway was realigned. Thought to be the oldest surviving viaduct on a public railway, the restored structure has been category A listed since 1982. [See image 7023]<br><br>[John Yellowlees 17/07/2014]](/images/48000/48041.jpg "Laigh Milton Viaduct")
![The plaque at the terminus of the original Kilmarnock and Troon Railway near the harbour in Troon.<br><br>[Colin Miller 18/01/2015]](/images/50000/50072.jpg "Troon Harbour")
![Looking west from the Troon Road (A759) overbridge just east of the former Thirdpart Junction at Moorfield, Kilmarnock, 10 January, 2016. Trees on the left cover the solum of the former Riccarton/Hurlford Branch, which trailed into the Troon line a few hundred yards to the west. Buildings on the skyline were formerly the Massey-Ferguson tractor plant, complete with its own siding and loading bank (siding curved north at the line of fence posts visible at the far end of the field on the right), and are now in Moorfield Industrial Estate, rail access long since removed of course.<br><br>[Robert Blane 10/01/2016]](/images/53000/53872.jpg "Thirdpart Junction")
![Looking west to the former Fairlie Junction on the Kilmarnock & Troon Railway, 10 January, 2016. The Troon line follows the hedge line on the right, with Gatehead level crossing just visible as the tree-filled gap between the houses in the village straight ahead on the skyline. Fairlie Junction itself was where the tall mast now stands, the branch ploughed into the first field but is still clearly visible (take my word for it!) on the near side of the further fence (embankment over a culvert). The old viaduct over the River Irvine is just off picture to the left.<br><br>[Robert Blane 10/01/2016]](/images/53000/53882.jpg "Fairlie Junction")
![A short distance after curving away southward from the Kilmarnock & Troon Railway, the Fairlie Branch crossed the River Irvine by a 2-span plate girder bridge, the remains of which were photographed from the north bank of the river looking southeast, 10 January, 2016. Steelwork was removed many years ago although, where it inserted into the abutments, short sections were left in situ (the rectangle projecting upwards in foreground of photo is part of a bridge girder). The Fairlie branch curved away to the southwest on the south side of the river and served coal pits at Fortacres (beyond the Gatehead to Symington road), with a branch to coal pits at Earlston and Caprington. Caprington No 41 Pit, scene of a mining disaster on 10 December 1909 when the River Irvine flooded the workings and drowned 10 men, was located in the field to the left of the railway embankment on the south side of the river.<br><br>[Robert Blane 10/01/2016]](/images/53000/53886.jpg "Fairlie Junction")
![37610 coming round the curve (on the re-aligned Kilmarnock and Troon) at Barassie Junction.<br><br>[Ken Browne 23/09/2016]](/images/56000/56626.jpg "Barassie Junction")
![Not the most exciting photo ever taken, but a photo couldn't capture the very impressive sound of GBRf Class 66 No 66701 hammering up the line from Barassie and onto the steep gradient up to Kilmarnock station with a loaded coal train at 1438 hrs on Saturday, 22 October, 2016. These coal trains have always tended to be timed through Kilmarnock to clash with passenger services in and out of the station so the norm is for them to get amber at the distant signal down towards Moorfield and they either slow down or crawl past the old St. Marnocks signalbox site to the outer home signal further up the gradient, where they can be held for anything up to 25 minutes. Being a wee bit later on the day (the Glasgow service departs at 1430hrs) No 66701 obviously got greens all the way so the driver had applied the boot to get some momentum for the climb up to the station.<br><br>[Robert Blane 22/10/2016]](/images/56000/56947.jpg "St Marnocks Junction")
![Laigh Milton Viaduct from the 1106 Kilmarnock-Stranraer. This was the first of three viaducts at this location and, having been restored, is in a good state of preservation.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 04/01/2017]](/images/57000/57819.jpg "Laigh Milton Viaduct")
