The first passenger railway in Scotland was opened - On this day in history

Scotland's first passenger railway, the Glasgow and Garnkirk Railway opened on 27 September 1831. The line was originally run as a goods service, funded by Charles Tennant & Co manufacturers, with horse-drawn coal trucks operating along the 4ft 6in Scotch Gauge line.

The line allowed coal to be transported into Glasgow from the Monkland Coalfields, whilst avoiding the Monkland Canal with its high charges. The Caledonian Railway took over the line in 1845, and in 1921, the line became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway.