 The line opened in 1837 and used locomotive power at first.Its operating costs were much higher than expected, and its income was disappointing, and horse traction was used to save expenditure.The company sold its line to the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway in 1847, but horse traction continued until 1866 when a connecting curve to the main line was opened, and through trains between Renfrew and Glasgow operated.