Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway opens in Scotland (1826)

The Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway was an early mineral railway running from a colliery at Monklands to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch, Scotland. Built to carry coal to market more cheaply and break the Monkland Canal's monopoly, it was the first public railway in Scotland and the first in Scotland to use locomotive power successfully. It is quoted to have opened in October 1826, though the section north of Gartsherrie must have opened during May 1826.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway was an early mineral railway running from a colliery at Monklands to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch. It was built to enable cheaper transport of coal to market, breaking the monopoly of the Monkland Canal. A group of interested businessmen promoted the railway to link coal pits and iron works to the canal.

Authorization. The scheme obtained authority on 17 May 1824 by the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway Act 1824 (5 Geo. 4. c. xlix), with share capital of £32,000 and powers to raise a further £10,000 by additional shares or by borrowing.

Opening. The line is quoted to have opened in October 1826, but the section north of Gartsherrie must have opened during May 1826, possibly for trial runs only. On 1 June 1826, a coal merchant advertised coal from Gartsherrie for sale in Edinburgh, citing the opening of the Kirkintilloch Railway.

People involved

Sources

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