A single line of standard gauge rails crossing the Ayr Road (A71), half a mile west of West Calder.
The line was probably built in about 1873 to link Addiewell oil works with Baads No.15 pit requiring level crossings of the Ayr Road (A71) and, a little to the south, the Wilsontown road (A704). Baads No.15 was abandoned in about 1885. The disused line and crossing seems to have been brought back into use in about 1903 to serve a new line to Burngrange No.39 mine, which operated until 1912. Follow a further period of use the line was reactivated in about 1935 to serve the new Burngrange No.1 & 2 pit. The line was subsequented extended from south of the Wilsontown Road crossing to serve Baads No.42 coal mine, which remained in production until 1962.
Newspaper references
LOCOMOTIVE AND MOTOR CAR COLLIDE.
A distressing motor accident took place on Wednesday afternoon about a mile to the west of West Calder, A lady and gentleman passed through West Calder in motor car and turned into the Lanark Road. A railway line from Westmains Colliery to the Addiewell Oil works crosses the Lanark Road . Just as the car was approaching the level crossing a locomotive with nine waggons of coal was descending the incline from the colliery on its way to the oil works. The workman who attends to the opening and closing of the gates opened them across the road to let the locomotive through. 'The occupants of the car saw the locomotive, but thought it was stopping to shunt the waggons. The gate which should have barred the roadway through some cause had swung round and cleared the roadway. Seeing this Mr Smellie drove forward on to the rails. Just as the car was crosing the rails the locomotive struck it. Mr Smellie and his lady friend were pitched out of the car. and the locomotive carried the car in front of it for over 50 yards until the driver could pull up his engine.
When Mr Smellie was picked up he was found to be seriously injured. Three doctors were speedily on the spot and attended to his injuries after which he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The lady, Miss Waugh, Uphall, had a remarkable escape. She suffered from bruises and shock but soon rallied sufficiently to be taken to her home at Uphall. She stated that they had seen the locomotive, but when the roadway was clear and they thought the locomotive was not coming so far as the level crossing. Mr Smellie was too severely hurt to be able speak of the accident. The motor car was carried from the Lanark Road across a triangle of almost to the Ayr Road, and it was reduced to matchwood.
Midlothian Advertiser 18th May 1928
