IT WAS once a well-beaten track running through the industrial heartlands, connecting the swaths of working mines peppered across the central belt.
With the demise of the coal and steel industry, the rail link perished, seemingly forever.
Yesterday, however, a historic line reopened, marking the first return of a major branch connection in Scotland for 25 years.
The GBP35m link between Larkhall in Lanarkshire and Milngavie, to the north of Glasgow, was opened by Jack McConnell, first minister.
It will provide parts of the region with rail access to the city for the first time since 1965, when the line closed after Beeching's draconian cuts to the rail network.
The scheme marks the first of several large public-transport projects approved by the Scottish Executive.
Providing a half-hourly service to Glasgow Central from Monday, the project at Larkhall has involved three miles of track linking the town with Hamilton, new stations at Larkhall, Merryton and Chatelherault, the laying of amile-long section of track in north Glasgow and the creation of a new station at Kelvindale to serve businesses and homes near Glasgow science park.
Two original rail lines with a station each in the Larkhall area were constructed by Caledonian Railway Company under the Caledonian Railway Act of 1884.
They were laid primarily to help shuttle coal and other minerals.
Despite a petition from Larkhall residents, the services were withdrawn in 1965, removing all passenger rail services through the town.
Stations at Strathaven, Stonehouse, Blackwood, Lesmahagow and Coalburn also shut.
The opening brought to an end what Mr McConnell described as "four decades of waiting" for the communities in the area.
"The opening of this line will breathe new life into Lanarkshire, " he said. "It will connect people with jobs and businesses to customers and make sure an area that has faced and overcome many challenges can continue to grow and prosper.
He added: "Getting Scotland moving will get Scotland growing. New train lines, new airports and air routes, new roads and major investment in ferries - these are the investments that will make a real difference to our country."
The first gesture towards reinstatement came 16 years ago, when Robert Equi, a wellknown partner in a Hamilton ice-cream business and member of Larkhall Rotary Club, launched a campaign.
Mr Equi died in 1995 but his plans were taken forward by politicians, community activists and business leaders. Mushtaq Ahmad, provost of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "We campaigned for many years to get this project up and running and I am delighted to have been part of the effort that has brought us to this point. We recognise the crucial role this rail line has to play in ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of the town."
Plans are also in progress to open a line between Airdrie and Bathgate, and there are blueprints to enhance rail connections at Glasgow and Edinburgh's airports.
The first train to leave Larkhall will be on Monday at 6.07am and the link is expected to generate 1.5 million passengers each year.
Glasgow-bound commuters will be able to buy a cheap day return for GBP4.20, with a standard day return costing GBP5.50.
A weekly season ticket will cost GBP21.80.
ON-LINE IMPROVEMENTS
First ScotRail's winter timetable will be launched on Monday, ushering in improved services in Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and the Glasgow area. The majority of services will remain unaltered, while enhanced services include:
Nine additional services between Aberdeen and Inverurie
A trial service from Arrochar and Tarbet to Glasgow
A Kingussie to Inverness early-morning service, and five additional daytime services on the far north line in each direction
The reintroduction of a line extension on the North Berwick line to and from Haymarket station
The new Larkhall route
Extra late-night services from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Town and Ayr, and from Queen Street Low Level station to Drumgelloch and Helensburgh
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