Description

Wrought iron lining-up pin found on top of arch No.1 of the Laigh Milton Viaduct on the Kilmarnock & Troon Railway. The pin was found on 8 March 1996 set into a joint of the arch.

This object was found during the Laigh Milton Viaduct Conservation Project (1995-1996). The viaduct, believed to be the world’s oldest on a public railway, was the work of leading civil engineer William Jessop. The double-track, horse-operated railway was opened in 1812, mainly for the export of coal, although it soon carried passengers. In 1816 it was the first railway in Scotland to operate with a Stephenson steam locomotive; nine years before the Stockton & Darlington.

Numerous significant railway relics were found during the restoration and this is just one of a number of them donated to ICE Scotland Museum.

For a detailed description of the conservation works click here.

For further information on the viaduct see http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1243.

For a general description and images of early cast iron plate railways see https://tringlocalhistory.org.uk/Railway/c03_track.htm.

For a film of the restoration works click here.