RAILSCOT | Bilston Glen Colliery

Mine

Bilston Glen Colliery (1963-1989)

Station code: National Rail
Served by the Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway.

This colliery was developed by the National Coal Board, with the sinking commencing in 1952. It replaced Burghlee Colliery, just to the east.

The mine opened around the same time as Millerhill Marshalling Yard (British Railways) to the north.

There were two shafts and a washery with a traverser.

The mine dispatched five loaded trains a day to Cockenzie Power Station (opened 1968), and also to Longannet Power Station and Imperial Dock [Leith].

After closure in 1988, the railway remained in place until 1991 to allow coal stock to be removed.

Colliery

Nearby stations Loanhead Roslin Polton Rosewell and Hawthornden Rosslyn Castle Lasswade Rosslynlee Broomieknowe Auchendinny Bonnyrigg Rosslynlee Hospital Halt Gilmerton Glencorse Eskbank South Esk	Burghlee Colliery Bilston Glen Viaduct Burghlee Ground Frame Pentland Oil Works Ramsey Colliery Clippens Limestone Works Springfield Mill Shale Pit Edgefield Weighs Cabin Polton Mill Roslin Colliery Straiton Sidings Tourist/other Glenesk House Mavisbank House Springfield House
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line.

/ /1967	Cockenzie Power Station Power station in operation. Over time, coal was to be provided by Bilston Glen Colliery, Monktonhall Colliery and Blindwells Opencast using MGR (Merry Go Round) trains.
01/06/1969	Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway Roslin to Bilston Glen Colliery (excluded) closed to freight.
05/06/1989	Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway Bilston Glen Colliery to Millerhill Junction (excluded) closed. (But would re-open to clear stocks.)
/ /1993	Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway Stub of Edinburgh Loanhead and Roslin Railway from Bilston Glen Colliery to Millerhill Junction (excluded) closed.