SMR 1263 / NS 9312 7567
Alexander Dick was a builder operating from Brightons and until 1868 he had the lease of Craigend Quarry. He seems to have moved at that time to Maddiston Quarry (SMR 1056) beside the Blackbraes Railway. The plant and equipment at the old quarry were sold off.
“Steam Engine & Boiler, Derrick and Jib Cranes, Railway Rails, Quarry tools, &c, at CRAIGEND QUARRY, on Saturday, 2d May.
Mr James Neilson begs to announce that he has been instructed by Mr Alexander Dick to sell by public roup, at Craigend Quarry, near Maddiston, 1 ½ miles south from Polmont Station, on Saturday the 2d May 1868, a capital steam engine and boiler, derrick and jib cranes, railway rails, quarry tools, and the whole of the working plant, & c. in connection with the above quarry, comprising:
- A horizontal steam engine, with 7-inch cylinder, 8-inch stroke (eight months since new). By Blackadder Brothers, Falkirk.
- 1 egg-end boiler, 12 by 3 feet, also new.
- 1 derrick crane, by Todd & Son, Edinburgh; lifts 2 ½ tons.
- 2 jib cranes.
- 3 tons permanent railway rails, 75 lb per yard, with switches and crossings.
- A quantity of railway chairs and sleepers.
- 2 pairs of shear legs, 33 and 23 feet, with crane, guy ropes, &c.
- 60 yards of 1 ½ inch lead siphon pipe.
- An iron hand pump.
- Pair smith’s bellows, anvil, smithy tools, &c.
- A great number of quarry tools. Also a large quantity of rubble and ashlar stones.”
(Falkirk Herald 30 April 1868, 4).
The quarry was evidently supplying sandstone and should not be confused with the Craigend Quarry at Avonbridge which produced whinstone sets for roads and sleeper blocks for railways, as well as ballast for both roads and railways.
The quarry at Craigend was probably abandoned because of its long distance from a railway (the Craigend Branch Railway only came much later). It was also at this time that Craigend House was being developed and the grounds landscaped. The site of the stone quarry has now been obliterated by the later brickworks and site restoration.
