ON WEDNESDAY, June 3, 1863 the Alva railway station and line opened to the public.

This opened a direct link with Stirling, although no line was ever constructed to link it to Tillicoultry.

The woollen mills at Alva and Menstrie, along with the Glenochil distillery, had been at a disadvantage ever since the Tillicoultry line had opened, but with the opening of the Alva line, it meant they no longer had to transport their goods to the neighbouring village and be taken on to Alloa or Stirling.

The station was situated to the south of the village and was a neat, commodious building with a waiting room for ladies and a separate one for gentleman.

On the day it opened, it was dull and wet, and this put some people off gathering at the site, with the first train to leave the station having no more than 40 passengers.

A few of the passengers alighted at Menstrie, while others continued to Cambus and Stirling. Only one passenger was booked on the train to Alloa.

The crowd that did gather at the gates were in fine spirits as they watched the train leave and gave it three cheers as it moved out of the station.

It slowly went to Menstrie then Glenochil as the sun tried to break through the clouds and mist, and for the first time, the 100 foot railway bridge just south of Menstrie was crossed.

While on the journey, two trucks of whisky were picked up from the Glenochil Distillery.

A large number of employees of the McNabb brothers gathered to watch its arrival and departure.

When the train reached Cambus, the passengers for Alloa and Stirling changed carriages, although as already mentioned, there was only one passenger bound for Alloa.

The official opening of the line took place on Tuesday, June 23, as James Johnstone of Alva had been absent from the county.

That day the sun shone for the huge crowd that assembled at the station, and bands played, although it was marred by the sewage on the streets. A dinner was held afterwards in the Johnstone Arms.

The line was laid out by Mr Stewart, the civil engineer engaged in the works, and carried out by Mr Graham of Devonshaw in Dollar.

Small sidings were also laid for Alva colliery, as well as the Glenochil Distillery.

Although the Alva line was short, just less than four miles, it proved popular. However on November 1, 1954, it closed to passengers.

By the early 1980s, all the Hillfoots railway lines had closed.