Fortacres Colliery
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.
Location: Fortacres Colliery (former)
Original line: Kilmarnock and Troon Railway
Photographer: Robert Blane
Contact photographer: Robert Blane
Date: 07/11/2009
Image number: 54017
