Plans for UK’s first heritage-era working wooden wagonway take shape

A SCHEME has been launched to build a working replica of Scotland’s oldest railway, the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway, which dates from 1722.

The 1722 Waggonway Project, a voluntary unincorporated association, established in 2017, has been working to excavate the remains of the waggonway and the associated salt pans, and revive salt-making in Cockenzie. It has also opened its own heritage centre.

The project team now wants to use the information gained from its archaeological digs to build a working wooden wagonway in its original format, using traditional techniques and materials. It also wants to install a replica horse gin and 18th-century pit headgear at one end of the line, with a coalfauld with unloading tippers at the other end. Its plans also include a full-sized 18th-century working salt pan house.

The group hopes to recruits residents, school pupils, students and military veterans as volunteers to help create the replica line, while providing educational opportunities and skills-based training. It aims to complete the project in the next five years.

A group statement said: “There are currently no working wooden waggonways or 18th century-style salt pan houses in the UK and this will be a significant living history heritage asset.”

Paul McLennan, Member of Scottish Parliament for East Lothian, said: “This ambitious project aims to rebuild a working wooden waggonway, exactly as it was constructed 300 years ago, by upskilling local people throughout the construction process and beyond.

“Once completed, the project will complement the wider heritage offer of Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans by providing a new insight to industrial past of this corner of East Lothian. Such an attraction will bring new tourists to the area and will support culture and heritage for the county.

“I give my full support and look forward to seeing the project develop.”

Fundraising has begun for the first phase, including the materials, design, marketing, planning, project costs and more at a cost of about £100,000. Constructing the waggonway and an initial fleet of three wagons is estimated to itself cost about £70,000.

➜ A crowdfunding page has been launched at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/waggonway