Triple-level railway is unearthed on Tranent & Cockenzie Waggonway

MEMBERS of the Waggonway 1722 project – who unearthed what is believed to be the UK's oldest waggonway during excavations on site in June 2019 – dug up more revelations in September this year.

The industrial archaeologists' excavations have revealed that the Tranent and Cockenzie Waggonway was rebuilt twice, leading to new wooden rails and sleepers being placed on top of the original, and, again, on top of its replacement, when each wore out.

“This is, in effect, a triple-level railway,” said Ed Bethune, Waggonway 1722 chairman.

“It gives us a unique insight into railway construction and maintenance methods of the 18th century. The sleepers and rail sections we've dug up are most revealing.

“We've also found some rail fittings dating from the relaying of the line from 4ft 7in to 3ft 3in gauge in 1815, and its conversion from wood to iron fish-bellied rails.

“There's clear evidence that the space between the rails was relaid with cobbles to ensure that horses' hooves gripped as effectively as possible when pulling waggons on the line.”

The group also excavated the 17th century saltpans house at the Cockenzie end of the line, which the waggonway was built to serve.

Coal was brought up from the pits at Tranent using gravity and horsepower, to boil sea water in cast iron saltpans, to in turn produce sea salt.

Excavations on the waggonway are scheduled to continue into 2022.

WAGGONWAY 1722 PROJECT Right: Fittings from the 1815 re-gauging that have now seen the light of day.

WAGGONWAY 1722 PROJECT Excavations underway as sightseers watch the past being unearthed.

WAGGONWAY 1722 PROJECT The 2021 excavated section showing the space between the rails, sleepers and the cobbles laid between the three levels of rails.

WAGGONWAY 1722 PROJECT Left: Bringing a sleeper to light by scraping away two levels of railway.