Leadhills and Wanlockhead Branch

Hoped-for developments did not emerge, and when the world lead price slumped in the 1920s, the line sustained heavy losses.

Lead had been mined in the wild terrain at Leadhills since the eighteenth century; it was carted to Leith Harbour via Biggar over the poor roads of the period.

[2] Local promoters saw that a railway connection to the main line would encourage the mining activity, and possibly also stimulate the establishment of a health resort there.

[6][7] When the line opened as far as Leadhills, that station was the highest in Scotland[3] and the following year Wanlockhead took that accolade, at 1,498 feet (457 m) above sea level.

[4] The altitude at Elvanfoot is 922 feet (281 m) and the length of the line was 7¼ miles (11.7 km); the average gradient was 1 in 42.

[8] A significant structure on the line was Rispin Cleugh viaduct, built by Sir Robert McAlpine & Co.