A former railway in Alloa (Clackmannanshire), the Alloa Waggonway connected coal mines to the north of the town with Alloa Harbour and glass-works. Built in 1768 by the local landowner, John Erskine, 7th Earl of Mar (1741 - 1825), the waggonway was modelled on a similar venture, the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway, which had opened 26 years previously. The rails were constructed of wood on a gauge of 3 feet 3 inches (99 cm), with wagons each carrying 1500 kg of coal and pulled by horses. In 1771, the single line was extended to Collyland - 2 miles / 3 km north of Alloa. The waggonway was renewed in 1785 and by 1806, formed an extensive network of lines reaching Tillicoultry. The Alloa Waggonway declined in importance after the opening of the Tillicoultry Branch of the Stirling & Dunfermline Railway in 1851. However, it continued operating in 1924. Although the track no longer remains, the route of the waggonway between King Street and North Castle Street remains extant. Also remaining are two original tunnels, the oldest railway tunnels in the world; namely the Bedford Place Tunnel and another running under Mar Street / Drysdale Street.
