Greenhill

The Caledonian Railway Company operated the Creosoting Works at Greenhill to the south-west of Bonnybridge.  One of the buildings at the works in the first decades of the 20th century contained a steam-driven electric generator to supply electricity to the yard, the station, and the nearby workers’ houses.  The road from the works to Seabegs was also lit by this electricity for just under a mile.  This was really something, because Bonnybridge was lit by gas which was not as bright.  Furthermore, on moonlit nights the lamplighter at that village would rush round and put out the lights so that the public was only left with the natural moonlight which could often then be obscured by cloud.  The Caledonian Railway did not fit electricity into its signals.  Just along the railway line, at Greenhill Upper, which was operated by the North British Railway Company, the current was supplied by the Scottish Central Electricity Company from the Bonnybridge Power Station.  The contract meant that the North British paid for more than they could use, with the result that every hut and bothy was lit by electricity.  The appearance of Upper Greenhill after dark was remarkable, with the farthest off signals shining as brightly as the nearest ones – a marked difference from Greenhill Lower, operated by the Caledonian Railway, whicj relied on paraffin lamps for its signals! (McKee, W. & K. 2024, 9).

G.B. Bailey, 2025