Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway

Introduction

This line is closed. It was a scenic single track line which ran west from Comrie by the River Earn, which was crossed several times, climbing until it reached St Fillans from which it ran above the north shore of Loch Earn to Lochearnhead where it turned south to meet the Callander and Oban Railway at Balquhidder [2nd], a new station replacing the original for the line opening.

On its route it crossed quite a number of large mass concrete viaducts, the largest of which is the Lochearnhead Viaduct crossing the south end of Glen Ogle. It was intentionally screened with tree planting to please land owners and passed through one very short tunnel. Today much of it is walkable and the former stations at St Fillans and Lochearnhead remain preserved in a good state of repair.






Dates

  /  /1897Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway authorised between Balquhidder Junction and Comrie.
  /  /1899Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Authorisation of diversion near Tynreoch.
  /  /1900Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Extension of time to build the line.
  /  /1901Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Extension of time to build the line.
01/10/1901Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Opened from Comrie to St Fillans, extending the existing line west from Comrie.
  /  /1902Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Authorisation for diversion by at Lochearnhead [1st], by the Callander and Oban Railway, in connection with the opening of the Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway.
01/08/1902Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway Caledonian Railway
Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway absorbed by Caledonian Railway.
01/07/1904Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Line extended from St Fillans to Lochearnhead [2nd] for passengers.
18/07/1904Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Opened to goods and minerals from St Fillans to new Balquhidder [2nd] station on the Callander and Oban Railway.
  /04/1905Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder Shed, a single road timber shed with a 60ft turntable opened at Balquhidder [2nd]. A sub-shed of Perth.
01/05/1905Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Line extended from Lochearnhead [2nd] to the new Balquhidder [2nd] station on the Callander and Oban Railway. (Balquhidder [1st] closed.)
  /  /1907Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Authorisation to buy land at Derry Farm Crossing Place (about half a mile east of Lochearnhead Viaduct). Permission to build railwaymen's houses.
  /06/1940Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder Shed closed, alternative date 1942.
28/02/1942Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder Shed closed, alternative date 1940.
  /  /1945Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder Shed was demolished previously, but from this date the turntable sidings and pit become out of use.
25/09/1950Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder [2nd] (excluded) to Comrie (excluded) closed to freight, but remains open to passengers.
01/10/1951Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Balquhidder [2nd] (excluded) to Comrie (excluded) closed to passengers (and completely to regular traffic).
  /  /1953Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Line in use by North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board works trains for the Breadalbane Scheme. Various pipelines and several nearby power stations: Lednock Power Station, St Fillans Power Station, Dalchonzie Power Station. (Other works were closer to the Killin Railway.)
  /08/1957Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Dismantled from three miles west of St Fillans to Comrie (excluded).
  /08/1959Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Dismantled from near St Fillans to Balquhidder [2nd] (excluded).
  /11/1999Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway
Kendrum Burn Viaduct (Edinchip Viaduct [LSFCR]) to have central span to be replaced at a cost of £55,000 to allow re-opening as a footpath.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Comrie to Balquhidder

This was a two platform station. At first, when a terminus, a platform and station building were not provided on the up side. After extension a second platform and building were provided.
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See also
Crieff and Comrie Railway
One of two pieces of rail set upright into the ground and being used as bollards in front of a big gate on the road from Comrie to the Deil's ...
David Prescott 14/02/2022
One of two pieces of rail set upright into the ground and photographed being used as bollards in front of a big gate on Monument Road from Comrie to ...
David Prescott 14/02/2022
A Park Royal railbus after arrival at Comrie in June 1964. The station clock has seen better days, as the time is actually late afternoon. And repair ...
Brian Haslehust 20/06/1964
A Park Royal railbus ready to leave Comrie for Gleneagles, not long before the branch closed to passenger services in 1964. ...
Brian Haslehust 20/06/1964
4 of 17 images. more


This single span single track bridge was just west of Comrie station at the start of the Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway running west to Balquhidder [2nd].
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This was a single track viaduct to the west of Comrie station on the extension west to Lochearnhead [2nd]. It was a mass concrete viaduct. From east to west the viaduct had two concrete arches, a plate girder over the main road, six concrete arches, a large girder section over the River Earn and a final two concrete arches. The concrete was dressed to give the appearance of stone, a ...

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This was a timber platform (north side of line) across the single track from a combined signal box and house (as found on the Callander and Oban Railway and West Highland Railway). There was a short siding on the south side of the line, east of the box, approached from the east. There was a level crossing directly west of the signal box. The platform was built around 1902, but not opened ...

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Dalchonzie Halt today with the signal box now part of the house. Not a station as such in that if you wanted to alight here you had to notify the ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
The signalbox at Dalchonzie Halt. View looks to Comrie from the former level crossing. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
2 of 2 images.


This disused viaduct is west of the former Dalchonzie Platform and crosses the River Earn.
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This is a single track mass concrete viaduct of three arches.
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This is a disused mass concrete viaduct with a central bowstring girder. The bridge is slightly skew for the River Earn below and has small approach arches on either side.
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The girder bridge over the River Earn east of St Fillans at Tynreoch is now used for farm and forestry access. The trackbed then passes under a bridge ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
West of Dalchonzie Halt this bow girder bridge carried the railway over the River Earn. The view is looking east towards Dalchonzie Halt in the ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
2 of 2 images.


This was a two platform station. The main station building was on the westbound platform, there was a waiting shelter on the eastbound platform and a signal box ('B' listed). The buildings were of Caledonian Railway style. There was a goods loop to the north (which could be used for running round both when the station opened as a temporary terminus and later when trains terminated here) and a ...

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Like the retaining wall of the station approach, the bridge abutments at St. Fillans have also been cleaned up compared with their appearance some ...
Mark Bartlett 17/09/2021
The long private drive to the former St. Fillans station in September 2021. The distinctive concrete construction was a feature of the line (See image ...
Mark Bartlett 17/09/2021
The waiting room on the eastbound platform at the former St Fillans station, seen in 1992. ...
Ewan Crawford //1992
Approximately half a mile east of St Fillans the trackbed is in walkable condition and this access bridge is still extant. View looking east on 25 ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
4 of 25 images. more


This is a disused single bore tunnel with mass concrete portals at either end.
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View looking west showing the new walking/cycling route on the old line which starts at Dalchonzie Platform near Comrie with a short uphill diversion ...
John Robin 28/06/2019
About half a mile west of St Fillans is this tunnel. Both portals are now fenced off. July 2009. ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
2 of 2 images.


This is a disused single track two arch concrete viaduct a little to the west of St Fillans Tunnel. It crosses a minor burn. ...

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This is a disused single track three arch concrete viaduct a little to the west of Tarken Viaduct East and east of Glentarken Wood Viaduct. A minor dirt road passes under the first and third arches and the second arch passes over a minor burn. ...

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This is a disused five arch single track concrete viaduct over the Allt an Fhionn. It is west of Tarken Viaduct West and east of Glen Tarken Viaduct. ...

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Beneath all the greenery near St Fillans is this five span viaduct over a steep gorge with a fast flowing burn. Loch Earn can be seen in the middle ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
1 of 1 images.


This was a single track viaduct with concrete abutments and a girder section, now missing. It crossed over the Glentarken Burn.
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Next to the trackbed about two and a half miles west of St Fillans Station is this derelict platelayer's hut with a roof garden, a little way east of ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
The replacement bridge at Glen Tarken on the Loch Earn Railway Path looking east in July 2019. See image 24830. ...
John Robin 02/07/2019
An unexpected hitch. Not visible on Google Earth as it is hidden in the trees, the steel span of this bridge near St Fillans has been removed for ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
3 of 3 images.


This is a disused single track three arch concrete viaduct. It crosses the Allt Bhacaidh.
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A view of the viaduct about half way between Lochearnhead and St. Fillans,this time from the south side looking west and showing the depth of the ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
This view is about three miles from St Fillans showing the trackbed on the left, Loch Earn on the right and St Fillans in the centre distance. ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
This concrete viaduct is about half way between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. Not easy to photograph because of trees it spans quite a deep gully. View ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
3 of 3 images.


This is a disused single track concrete viaduct with a concrete arch to the west, passing over the Beich Burn, and a plate girder to the east crossing over the minor dirt road to Ardveich Farm.
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Looking east along the trackbed at Dalveich, the weeds and grass are waist high. The short Glenbeich Viaduct is in the distance. ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
Near Dalveich the steel bridge over a farm access road has been removed for scrap, slight detour here. Glenbeich Viaduct is to the east. ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
There are many of these small bridges between Lochearnhead and St Fillans, this one has a waterfall immediately to the north with a steep drop down to ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
At Dalveich, about two miles out of Lochearnhead, is this combined bridge that carried the railway over a burn and a farm road. ...
John Gray 30/07/2009
4 of 4 images.


This is a single track mass concrete viaduct on a tight curve with nine arches. It is 141 yds long overall and 50 ft high. The viaduct crosses the south end of Glen Ogle, and the Ogle Burn, at the west end of Loch Earn at Lochearnhead. It is akin to the much more famous Glenfinnan Viaduct but no longer carries a railway. It has nine arches.
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Lochearnhead Viaduct viewed from the trackbed of the Callander and Oban Railway in 1993. This was considered to be the best view from a railway ...
Ewan Crawford //1993
The view north east, with the line going towards Crieff, along the side of Lochearnhead Viaduct in 1992. ...
Ewan Crawford //1992
Immediately to the east of Lochearnhead station the line to St. Fillans crossed the road on a substantial bridge, of which only this east abutment ...
Mark Bartlett 26/03/2009
Viaduct on the St Fillans line at Lochearnhead on 23 March 2009. ...
Bill Roberton 23/03/2009
4 of 7 images. more


This closed station was the second to have this name, the original Lochearnhead [1st] was on the nearby Callander and Oban Railway. Unlike the second station it was some distance from the village, the second station was actually in the village above it and on the west side.
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Lochearnhead station seen before it was adopted by the Scouts and preserved. The view looks to St Fillans. The goods yard was ahead on the left. ...
Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
The fine condition of Lochearnhead Scout Station is a tribute to present owners, the Scout Association, who have occupied the station since 1962 and ...
John Yellowlees 10/04/2019
Plaque at Lochearnhead, a reminder that it has now been Scout Station for longer than it was a Railway Station. This continuing use and care by the ...
John Yellowlees 10/04/2019
A view from the south end of the platform at Lochearnhead before preservation looking north towards the viaduct and goods yard (on the left). ...
Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
4 of 20 images. more


This is an impressive single track mass concrete viaduct crossing the Kendrum Burn east of Edinchip House. From south to north there were five tall concrete arches, a long 82 ft girder section and then two concrete arches. Also known as Kendrum Burn Viaduct.
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Edinchip Viaduct, between Balquhidder and Lochearnhead, has eight spans with an eighty foot steel girder bridge at the widest point, which is over the ...
John Gray 18/10/2018
View north over the Edinchip Viaduct in February 2011. Ahead is Lochearnhead, with Balquhidder Junction behind. The missing central span of this ...
Ewan Crawford /02/2011
Edinchip Viaduct carried the railway accross the Channdroma Burn and the valley either side. From the valley floor to the height of the trackbed is ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
A view along the trackbed of the Edinchip Viaduct north of Balquhidder on the way to Lochearnhead. Being made of metal the original centre span was ...
John Gray 25/07/2009
4 of 6 images. more


This shed opened with the Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie Railway's arrival at Balquhidder. The shed was a single ended one road shed in the 'V' of the junction to the north of Balquhidder [2nd] station. ...

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This is the turntable at Balquhidder station's shed (to the left). The station is in the distance. ...
Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
1 of 1 images.


This was a three platform station where the Callander and Oban Railway met the branch east to St Fillans and Comrie. It replaced Balquhidder [1st].
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See also
Callander and Oban Railway
Balquhidder station showing the steps from the road up to the northbound platform. ...
Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
Looking back from Balquhidder goods yard towards the station. The St Fillans line was on the left and Oban line off to the right.
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Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
This view looks north from Balquhidder station, from the branch platform. The main Oban platforms are off to the left, out of the view, and the ...
Ian Moir (courtesy of Alastair Moir) //
Standing at the top of the entrance stairway at Balquhidder in 2008 looking south west across the A84. Following closure to all rail traffic in 1965 ...
John Furnevel 14/05/2008
4 of 17 images. more