Remembered by locals as the Black Path, the story of Strathaven Branch begins long before it was abandoned. Imagine a railway line, once bustling with activity, now silent. Strathaven Branch was a crucial artery for this region. It connected Strathaven to the wider world.
Strathaven Branch was a historic railway in Scotland. It ran from a junction with the Hamilton Branch of the Caledonian Railway. Its destination was a terminus at Strathaven. The Caledonian Railway worked the line from the start. They fully absorbed the railway company in 1864.
William Smith Dixon, an Ironmaster, planned the railway. Construction was authorized on August 10, 1857. The line opened on August 9, 1860, from Hamilton to Quarter. Initially, this was only for goods. The full line opened on February 2, 1863. It then carried both goods and passengers between Hamilton and Strathaven.
Strathaven Branch connected to other lines. These included the Hamilton Branch of the Caledonian Railway at Haughhead Junction. It also linked to the East Kilbride Line of the Caledonian Railway at Hunthill Junction. Further connections were the Mid Lanark Lines of the Caledonian Railway and the Darvel and Strathaven Railway, both at Strathaven Central.
The line’s primary purpose was to serve the numerous coal mines. These mines operated near Hamilton and Quarter. The line was initially proposed as a private coal line. It would serve the Blantyre Colliery. However, it was later proposed as a branch of the Hamilton line due to high construction costs. Local interests supported its extension south to Strathaven.
The Caledonian Railway subscribed to shares and worked the line. They eventually took it over in 1864. William Smith Dixon, a coal and iron master, promoted the line. He owned the Blantyre Colliery. The line served Blantyre Colliery Pit No 2 to Blantyre Colliery Pit No 4, up to High Blantyre.
Beyond High Blantyre, the line served more pits. These included Udston Colliery, Eddleswood Colliery, and Neilsland Colliery. The Quarter Collieries and ultimately Strathaven were also served.
In 1862, James Dunlop of the Clyde Iron Works was the Chairman. William Smith Dixon of the Govan Iron Works was the Deputy Chairman. Other key figures included J P Alson of Muirburn, Matthew Dick of Meikle Earnock, and Colin R Dunlop of Milton Lockhart. Thomas Tennent, a banker from Strathaven, and Robert Graeme of Wellhall were also involved. Jno Meikleham of the Clyde Iron Works completed the list.
The Hamilton and Strathaven Railway opened in stages. In 1860, the first part climbed from the Hamilton Branch to High Blantyre. It then turned south, eventually reaching Strathaven. This northern portion served many collieries between Hamilton and Quarter.
Today, as you walk along the Black Path, imagine the steam engines. Picture the bustling stations and the miners heading to work. Strathaven Branch may be abandoned, but its story remains etched in the landscape. Its legacy connects Strathaven to its industrial past.