Bridge of Weir Railway

Undeterred the local promoters formed a provisional scheme to build from Johnstone to Bridge of Weir, and possibly later to Kilmacolm; capital was estimated at £25,000.

Conceived only as a branch line, the proposed route curved into Johnstone station facing away from Glasgow.

There was a goods and mineral branch to Linwood, then a centre of industry, joining the main line by means of a backshunt.

The company was now short of cash and the G&SWR agreed to defer its charges for working the line for five years at 5% interest—in effect a substantial loan.

[3] The Caledonian Railway had a monopoly of the lucrative rail traffic to Greenock, and the G&SWR were interested in competing.

Discussions took place in October 1864, which crystallised in a proposed Greenock and Ayrshire Railway, which would extend from Bridge of Weir.