Kinross to Alloa via The Devon Valley Line
(Part II - Dollar to Alloa)
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 B2340
In this east facing view we see the passing loop provided at Tillicoultry Station. At the end of the platform on the left
stands the signal box which controlled the level crossing where the line crossed Moss Road (A908). The mill that
is today occupied by the Sterling Furniture Warehouse lies out of the fame to the right. From Tillicoultry the line
climbed to Fishcross and Sauchie, crossing a viaduct over the meandering River Devon. The remains of the viaduct
can still be clearly seen today.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2341
Passing the Devon sidings we see an unidentified ex-North British 0-6-0 shunting a line of empty coal wagons. I'm
unsure of the exact location of these sidings but there appears to be two over bridges in the distance. The first
bridge may carry the B9140 (Collyland Road) over the line.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2342
Passing Alloa East Signal Box on arrival at Alloa Station on July 6, 1957. The line to Kincardine and Dunfermline
passing under the Alloa Waggonway bridge can be seen in the middle of the picture. Alloa shed can just be made out
beyond the bridge on the left. The new Alloa station (due to open after much delay in May 2008) lies just beyond
the bridge on the right. For more pictures of Alloa Station in the 1960's click here.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2343
A view looking east as the train leaves Alloa and continues its journey to Glasgow Queen Street. Standing in the bay
platform with a short train is ex-North British Class J35 0-6-0 no. 64497. Today a sports hall occupies most of the site
of the former Alloa station. The recently re-laid Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line follows the path taken by the lines
on the right side of the picture quite closely.
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2344
With Alloa station just visible in the distance, the train crosses Alloa Central Junction. On the left we see ex-North
British Class J37 0-6-0 no. 64617 from Dunfermline shed. On the right is Alloa Central Junction signal box. The
lines diverging to the left led to the Alloa docks and the former Alloa Ferry station which closed in 1852!
Photo © A. E. Bennett/The Transport Treasury B2345
Alloa West Junction and the 4:20pm takes the line to the Alloa Swing Bridge and on towards Larbert. In the background
is Alloa West Junction signal box. The lines to the left head carry the former North British Railway lines to Stirling.
The level crossing just behind the signal box allowed Grange Road to cross the line. When the line was re-laid a
new level crossing was not installed and the road was severed. However, a new pedestrian footbridge has been erected.