Located in the Doon Valley in East Ayrshire, the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre is housed in part of the former Dalmellington Ironworks at Dunaskin, 2½ miles (4 m) northwest of Dalmellington. Run by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group, the centre opened in 1980 at the former Minnivey Colliery, a mile (1.5 km) north of Dalmellington, but moved to its present site in 2002. A variety of industrial steam and diesel engines, all of Scottish significance, can be seen working in a realistic environment.
The group runs a section of the former Ayr and Dalmellington Railway, which was opened in 1853 to serve the ironworks and collieries. Latterly the railway was run by the National Coal Board but faced closure with the industrial decline of the area. Part of the line has been re-laid and also serves a nearby open-cast mine.
The centre has faced financial difficulties and is only open to the public occasionally.
