 Edinburgh was the biggest market for coal in the area, and it could easily be carried across the Forth by boat, but getting the mineral to the shore of the Forth was the problem.John, Earl of Mar was the owner of the colliery at Alloa, and in 1766 or 1768 a railway was built from the colliery to the banks of the Forth.It was a close copy of the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway in gauge, wagon size and operating practices.