The Tranent - Cockenzie Waggonway was built by the York Buildings Company in 1722. Construction started in May of that year, with local timber-wright William Dickson employed to make wooden rails, wagons and wheels for this new innovation.

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The Cadell family bought the line in 1779 and upgraded it to an iron railway in 1815, before employing Robert Stevenson to make further modifications at Cockenzie Harbour in 1833.

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The history of the Waggonway and the coal & salt industries it served can be learned in full by visiting the Waggonway Museum.