Under the Monkland Railways the connections to the E&GR improved the Slamannan main line's value, and some of the mineral deposits became commercially viable at last. A number of branch lines were opened to serve those remote from the Slamannan main line, and numerous tramways and private mineral lines extended the reach of the branches further. In 1855 a more ambitious branch, to Bathgate, was opened, from Blackston Junction (often also spelt Blackstone Junction). This was no passenger branch: it turned south away from the passenger station, and led to the important chemical works on the south of the town.