Maidens and Dunure Light Railway
In 1896 a branch line had been proposed by the Glasgow and South Western Railway (G&SWR) to Alloway, a village of huge historic significance as the birthplace of Robert Burns, and the destination of increasing volumes of tourists.
However the Ayrshire Post opposed the idea in surprisingly strong terms on the basis that it would "shut out" competing railway construction from the Ayr district; a Parliamentary Bill was nonetheless prepared for the 1897 session, but it failed, chiefly because of the opposition of influential local residents, and the reverence held for Burns' memory.
Archibald Kennedy, 3rd Marquess of Ailsa, owned extensive properties on the Ayrshire coast, and desired to develop them: the farming communities had fertile soil, but they had difficulty because of their remoteness from transport to market.
He built a harbour at Maidens to improve the fishing industry, and sensing the interest in leisure activities in Scotland, he planned a railway connection to the area.
As well as lower technical standards, it was possible to apply for a Light Railway Order without the expense of an Act of Parliament if affected landowners acquiesced.
The hostility towards the Alloway branch returned in the LRO hearing, articulated in particular against "cheap trippers", but assurances over visibility of the line from Burns' cottage eventually resulted in withdrawal of the objections.
Notwithstanding the threat of the penalty for late completion, it was not until 21 January 1902 that an acceptable tender was confirmed, in the amount of £201,316, a considerable escalation on the estimated cost, and in addition it was necessary to apply for an extension of the permitted time.
In addition there was a goods service each way daily, from Ayr at 8.40 a.m. and returning at 3.00 p.m. At the Shareholders' meeting in September 1908, the chairman was asked if the Maidens and Dunure line was profitable.
As the passenger accommodation was in a third-class-only saloon, it was felt that this was not conducive to the luxury market that Turnberry aspired to encourage.
The return journey left Turnberry at 6.42 p.m. via Stranraer and arrived in Euston at 7.30 a.m.) Patronage was poor, averaging one passenger a night, but the arrangement was continued in the following summer periods.
Smith tells (page 61 and 67) that on 15 October 1930, implied to be routine, that the 4.10 p.m. Glasgow to Stranraer detached two coaches at Girvan, that were then worked to Turnberry.
[1][6] Patronage on the line had never been good, and it was declining and loss-making, and the LMS decided that the local passenger service could not be sustained.
Because of the considerable reduction in train frequency, the signalling system was converted to "one engine in steam" between Alloway Junction and Turnberry.
On 20 May 1938 an excursion to Ibrox for the Glasgow British Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park ran outwards via the line, calling at Maidens and Dunure.
Repeating the pattern of the First World War, the Air Ministry built an airfield at Turnberry during 1941; it opened operationally in February 1942.
For some years the service was remarkably successful, but in time increasing numbers of holidaymakers travelled by road, and the railway operation became loss-making.
The formal announcement of closure had by this time been published, and it was considered difficult to extend the period of operation, In the event inwards trains to Heads of Ayr Holiday Camp railway station ceased on 7 September and outwards trains ceased to run after 14 September 1968.
