<kuid:581493:100973> Leadhills and Wanlockhead Branch - highest in UK

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The highest standard gauge line in the British Isles climbed from Elvanfoot in the Clyde Valley, winding up through the starkly desolate, treeless beauty of the Lowther Hills. [Note - I got bored and have been SERIOUSLY over-generous with trees and bushes in this layout :-) ]

It opened as far as Leadhills, then the highest station in the UK, in 1901, and to Wanlockhead in 1902; at 1498 feet (457m), this was even higher.

The line was built to serve the lead mines, and also carried passengers. It was worked by the Caledonian Railway, using No 172 (an 0-4-4T) in the early years. Trains were mixed passenger and goods, and the maximum speed was 20mph.

The line was barely viable at the best of times, and the liquidation of the Wanlockhead Mining Company in 1936 finished it off. The last passenger service ran on 31st Dec, 1938; the line was closed to goods traffic shortly afterwards.

I have two fond memories of the area:

- the Wanlockhead Miners' Library, the second oldest subscription library in Scotland - indeed, in all Europe. It was funded by miners' subscriptions - and still exists, as part of the Lead Mining Museum.

- and a fine pint of beer! The 'pub' was just the front room in a cottage, with a serving hatch through to the kitchen where the beer tap was. Simple, basic ... and oh so cosy!