Sheepford Branch (Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway)
Introduction
Over its short length, this goods and minerals branch served a remarkable number of works. It was changed repeatedly for the demands of local industry. The branch ran from Coatbridge, near the later Coatbridge Central [NB] at street level along Canal Street (on the north bank of the Monkland Canal to Coats and was extended to Sheepford and Rochsolloch. In 1872 the western end was severed when the main line of the Monkland and Kirkintilloch was lifted onto an embankment, crossing above the road network and removing several level crossings (Coatbridge Deviation (North British Railway)). A new approach to the Sheepford line was laid in from Langloan East Junction. The branch lasted into the early 1980s and a swing bridge on the diversion crossing the now dry course of the Monkland Canal can be found.
Dates
| / /1872 | Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway New alignment opens with a bridge which takes the line over Monkland Canal, West Canal Street and Bank Street in central Coatbridge. The junction with the Sheepford Branch (Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway) is taken out and a new alignment laid in to the south which crossed the Dundyvan Basin canal branch. |
| 24/01/1984 | Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway Sheepford Branch (Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway) to Sheepford Goods closed. |
Portions of line and locations
This line is divided into a number of portions.
Coatbridge to Sheepford
This is the original course of the branch to Coats and its extension on to Sheepford and Rochsolloch.
This was the works of John Spencer (John Spencer (Coatbridge) Ltd from 1901 until 1914). The works had its own 0-4-0ST locomotives.
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This was the boiler works of Thomas Hudson Limited. It was reached via the Sheepford Branch (Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway), served by reversal from the end of the branch (which continued to Coatdyke Mineral Depot. The works was on the east side of Locks Street, north of the Sheepford Locks.
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Owned by the Waverley Iron and Steel Co. formed by Thomas Davie and George Garrett.
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Ewan Crawford //1987
New Connection
This is the deviation which was required in 1872. This short connection not only kept the branch in use but had an exchange yard for the many sidings.
This was a junction on the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway controlled by a signal box on the east side of the line.
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See also
Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway
Langloan Railway
This was the works of Thos. Ellis Ltd until 1914. The works had its own 0-4-0ST locomotives. The works, originally known as Ronald's Forge, opened in 1840. The works closed in 1933.
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This tinplate works was located at Whifflet, south of Coatbridge, between Coatbank Street (to the east) and Dundyvan Basin (to the west). It was owned by the Coatbridge Tin Plate Co. The works was served from the north by the North British Railway and from the south by the Caledonian Railway. Sidings served various part of the works and there were turnplates to access certain ...
More details
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Alastair McLellan 06/05/2019
Ewan Crawford //1987
Alastair McLellan 06/05/2019
