 The Tillicoultry branch had been delayed because of difficulties in constructing a bridge over the River Devon at Glenfoot.Although the final section to Stirling was relatively short, the opening of that part of the line was much delayed by a dispute.The Stirling and Dunfermline company had never intended to operate the line itself, and had contracted with its sponsor, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, that the latter would lease the line and operate it on its completion.