Coltness Branch Junction
This view is from trackbed of the Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness Railway immediately east of Morningside (NB) station, itself immediately east of an end on junction with the Caley and the Caley's Morningside station. The view shows the WMCR goods line curving off the 'main line' to serve the Coltness ironworks. The junction between the two was to the right. Traffic from pits to the east to the works was the raison d'etre of the line.
At one time the much fought over WMCR was part of a Garnkirk and Glasgow Railway led route to Edinburgh (by through train from Glasgow Townhead to Longridge and by stagecoach from Longridge to Edinburgh) and the Caledonian Railway wanted it in preference to building its Shotts route, but it was not to be and no part of it remains open. But ... a short section (Polkemmet Junction to Bathgate Yard) of its later extension to Bathgate will be re-opened as part of the A-B route.
Location: Coltness Branch Junction (former)
Original line: Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness Railway
Photographer: Ewan Crawford
Contact photographer: Ewan Crawford
Date: 12/1987
Image number: 26234
