Kinross to Alloa via The Devon Valley Line
(Part I - Kinross Junction to Dollar)
The Devon Valley line as it was known branched off at Kinross Junction on the Cowdenbeath - Perth mainline and ran through
Balado, Crook of Devon, Dollar, Tillicoultry, Sauchie and met the Dunfermline - Stirling line at Alloa East Junction. The
line opened in sections; the section from Kinross to Rumbling Bridge opened on May 1, 1863 while the section from
Tillicoultry to Dollar opened on May 3, 1869. The final section linking Dollar to Rumbling Bridge opened on May 1,
1871. Closure was by sections too. On April 20, 1964, Kinross to Dollar closed to freight. June 13, 1964 saw the line
closed entirely to passenger traffic. The remaining section from Alloa to Dollar was kept in place to to allow coal trains
access to Dollar Mine. With the closure of Dollar #4 and #5, the remaining section was closed on June 26, 1973.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2335
Kinross Junction with the lines running south to Cowdenbeath North Junction on the right of the frame. Kinross Station
can just bemade out through the arches of the bridge. This picture dates from July 6, 1957 and was taken from the guard's
compartment on the 4:20pm Perth to Glasgow Queen street train.
Photo © N. Forrest/The Transport Treasury NF74/23
Balado station pictured in this scene captured in April 1961.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2336
Crook of Devon station on July 6, 1957. Having seen the 4:20pm from Perth on its way the station master turns
and heads back to the station building.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2337
A view of Rumbling Bridge station, looking east, back towards Crook of Devon. The passing loop is clearly visible and at
the very left of the picture can be seen the small set of steps located in front of the signal box. The signalman would
ascend these steps in order to hand off the token that controlled entry to the next section of line. July 6, 1957.
Photo © N. Forrest/The Transport Treasury NF74/24
In this April 1961 view that is almost the reverse of the one pictured above is Rumbling Bridge signal box. In addition
to controlling the Devon Valley line, the box controlled access to a small goods yard located behind the station.
The last freight service, hauled by a B1 on April 19, 1964, was a short train of vans containing potatoes.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2338
The 4:20pm picks up some speed as it descends over a viaduct over the River Devon on its approach into Dollar.
The bridge was quite an impressive structure for a relatively small, secondary line and it's funding and construction
no doubt contributed to the fact that this section of the line was the last to open. The remains of the viaduct and the
approach embankments remained clearly visible for many years from the nearby B913 as it wound its
way from Dollar to the junction with the A977. July 6, 1957.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2339
Once again it's July 6, 1957 and the 4:20pm from Perth is leaving Dollar station. The signal at the end of the platform
controlled access to the line that led to Dollar Mine. The station buildings have been replaced by a couple of houses
but the platform remains. The track bed is now a walking/cycling track known as the Devon Way.