The railway was opened in 1812, and was only a system of horse-drawn railway carriages, but it had been carrying individuals prior. It was not licensed to transport passengers, but the railway found a way past this stipend, by charging individuals wishing to use the system for travel. They would weight them and according to how much they weighed, would charge them the same rates as freight. This railway was later Scotland’s first steam powered train. In the year of 1846, the railway system was shut down for a short stint, allowing the system to improve and modernize its tracks. Today, the railway system is still in working order and transports passengers on a regular basis.

The name Troon is derived from a Celtic word “Trwyn” and means point or head of land. The name is fitting as the land is centered in a somewhat crescent shape. During the late 1800s, the area of Troon had a name as one of the top ten most popular ports that were coal regulated in the country of Britain. The coal industry in Troon, eventually declined when the Ayshire fields of coal came into focus. After that, the harbor of Troon continued to stay active none the less.

The area known as Kilmarnock, is the inland’s largest settlement of people. Kilmarnock is known for the epicenter for most of its industry. Both Kilmarnock and Troon are very attractive areas for tourist and individuals that wish to visit a place that has much to offer in a historic element and holds on to its past, yet is very much modernized in many ways.

The viaduct is the worlds oldest known surviving railway viaduct. The viaduct, when you first get a glimpse of it, has a medieval feel. With its beautiful light colored stone bricks and old world look and feel, it is ideal for many pictures and paintings. The viaduct was also part of the Kilmarnock Troon railway. This railway and viaduct are a serious must for any railway enthusiasts or one that adores historic landmarks.

The bridge or viaduct was designed by a budding engineer by the name of William Jessop. However, the actual erection of the viaduct was completed by a masonry expert named, John Simpson. It was constructed to help the Duke of Portland transport his horse-drawn carts of coal from the mines to Troon Harbour. When the viaduct was shut down, due to a more modernized version of a viaduct that was built upstream from it.

The Laigh Milton Viaduct has since then, fell to very unstable situations, but a group of Civil Engineers has purchased it and has had it restored. For them to be able to carry out such a restoration, the River Irvine had to be damned for while and they had to take part of it down and reconstruct it. Now, it has an internal infrastructure of solid steel, that does an ideal job of supporting its heavy masonry weight and its arch construction. Any stones in need of replacement, was upgraded as well. They also seen to it, that a metal railing was constructed atop of the viaduct, to allow for the public to cross it without safety concerns. The group heading the restoration, won an award for restoring a structure that was in a state of almost total disrepair.