Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group

The Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group was founded in 1974, at a time when it was clear that private industrial railways were closing and an era was coming to an end. It has always been the Group’s special aim to preserve some of Scotland’s industrial railway heritage, especially that of Ayrshire and south-west Scotland.

The NCB railway system at Waterside in the Doon Valley was one of the largest private systems in Scotland, and was also one of the last places where steam could be seen at work. As such it became something of a Mecca for steam enthusiasts after the end of steam on BR. When it also closed down in 1978, the ARPG was determined to preserve at least a part of it.

In 1976, coal production ceased at Minnivey. Pennyvenie, the last deep mine in the area, closed in 1978, when the railway also closed. The Dunaskin to Minnivey line was lifted in 1980, although interestingly, the section between Minnivey and Pennyvenie was left in situ. Dunaskin continued to take opencast coal from the area until 1986. In 1988 Chalmerston, close to Minnivey, was opened for opencast working, and the line was re-laid.

The ARPG took over the lease of the derelict site at Minnivey in 1980, by which time little of the original infrastructure remained. The Group laid track, built a small engine shed and converted the few remaining buildings to workshops, a museum and a shop. Exhibits were also obtained from various sources. An extensive 2’6″ gauge demonstration line was also built. The site was reconnected to the “main” line at Chalmerston, and a platform with its own loop was built. Brakevan rides were given on summer Sundays, using a small section of the Pennyvenie line. A further platform was built at Dunaskin with the intention of running trains between the two sites, using the Scottish Coal line. Unfortunately, this never came to pass.

Problems with the lease (including a failed attempt to buy the site) meant that in 2002 the Group had to decide where to build its future. At a special general meeting of the membership it was agreed that Minnivey should be closed and the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre relocated to Dunaskin, where the Group already had a lease of the four-road locoshed and other railway infrastructure.

A new running line has been constructed southwards from the already existing platform (supported by grant funding from the Cumnock and Doon Valley Minerals Trust.) Steam-hauled brakevan rides began at Dunaskin in July 2005.

Unfortunately the Group’s landlords at Dunaskin, the Dalmellington and District Conservation Trust, went into liquidation at the end of June 2005. Subsequently, the Dunaskin site was sold off to various individuals and organisations, and recently our new landlord agreed to sell to the Group that part of Dunaskin in which we are most interested.

In 2015, the ARPG concluded the purchase of the Locomotive Shed, the Wagon Repair Shops, the Dunaskin Station and platform, the former Ambulance Station, the Railway Weighbridge house and associated lands. Other buildings and lands which the Group currently occupies has been leased to us.

The purchase price was paid for by Group funds set aside for the purpose, through a special Appeal to members, and substantial monies were received from East Ayrshire Council and Cumnock & Doon Valley Minerals Trust, for which the Group is most grateful.

In 2019 it was decided to re brand and become the Doon Valley Railway to better reflect the community we operate in.