West Highland Railway

Introduction

This railway runs from Craigendoran (near Glasgow) to Fort William. The line had a branch to Banavie Pier.

It is a single track railway running through superb scenery; by sea lochs, mountains and moorland.

The line is supported by the Friends of the West Highland Lines who were formed in 1983 and have promoted the line ever since. The society publishes the excellent West Highland News Plus.

Engineers: Forman and McCall.
Contractors: Lucas and Aird.

The line retains much of its atmosphere, a railway apart. On-train announcements are often more related to tourist information than train running information, particularly west of Fort William, and delivered with aplomb.

Architecture

Stations on the West Highland are noted for their 'Swiss Chalet' style station buildings and diminutive signal boxes. The wooden shingles on the outside of the buildings were imported from Switzerland. Original station buildings remain at Garelochhead, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Tulloch, Spean Bridge and a closed station at Banavie Pier. Fort William's terminus had a building of a different style which has not survived. Most stations had island platforms, although some had two separate platforms; those at Rhu, Tulloch, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge; and these had a different style of building, since only one side faced the platform. Stationmaster's cottages and other railway cottages also had a standardised pattern.



Dates

  /11/1882Glasgow and North Western Railway
Glasgow and North Western Railway proposed, the Bill presented to Parliament to seek approval. The route was to have been a 167 mile long railway from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William. Supported by the North British Railway and opposed by the Highland Railway, Caledonian Railway (part owners of the Callander and Oban Railway), Caledonian Canal, David MacBrayne and some landowners. The Bill was rejected in 1883. It was not built (a less ambitious variation of it, the West Highland Railway with an Act in 1889, did open).
  /  /1889West Highland Railway
Fort William [Fort]'s wall breached for railway building.
29/01/1889West Highland Railway
Charles Forman (of engineers Forman & McCall), James Bulloch (Forman's chief engineer), J.E. Harrison (assistant engineer), Robert McAlpine (contractor), John Bett (factor of the Breadalbane Estates), Major Martin (factor of the Poltalloch estates) and N.B. MacKenzie (solicitor, local agent for the railway company) meet at a hotel in Spean Bridge to conduct a survey of the proposed route of the line over Rannoch Moor.
30/01/1889West Highland Railway
The party are taken by coach from Spean Bridge to Inverlair Lodge. The party set out to walk from Inverlair Lodge to the north end of Loch Treig. The party are rowed from the north end of Loch Treig to the south end and stay overnight at William Frederick Scarlett's (Lord Abinger) Craig-uaine-ach Lodge.
31/01/1889West Highland Railway
The party set out to walk to Rannoch Lodge, then the walkers change their minds and decide to continue to Inveroran. The party split in poor weather conditions as it darkens, Robert McAlpine decided to go on to Inveroran and James Bulloch heads to Gorton cottage. Bulloch reaches Gorton. Charles Forman, McKenzie, Martin, Harrison and Bett are taken to a nearby hut by shepherds from Gorton.
01/02/1889West Highland Railway
Robert McAlpine reaches a cottage by Loch Tulla. Charles Forman, McKenzie, Martin, Harrison and Bett are taken to Gorton to join Bulloch. The party are taken to Inveroran, via Loch Tulla to pick up Robert McAlpine.
02/02/1889West Highland Railway
A blizzard covers Rannoch Moor and the party have to work their way through deep drifting to reach Tyndrum [CandO] station on the Callander and Oban Railway.
12/08/1889West Highland Railway
Act passed and West Highland Railway authorised. Proposed by Charles Forman.
23/10/1889West Highland Railway
First sod cut by William Frederick Scarlett (Lord Abinger) near Fort William.
20/07/1890West Highland Railway
Banavie [1st] branch authorised.
  /  /1891Callander and Oban Railway
Siding opened near Crianlarich [C&O] for construction of the West Highland Railway.
  /07/1891West Highland Railway
Runs out of money when the contractor requests further funds, and construction is abandoned.
  /08/1891West Highland Railway
In a court case held in Dumbarton the contractor is told that the line must be built for the amount specified in the contract.
14/10/1891West Highland Railway
Work re-starts, though the West Highland Railway agrees to pay an extra £10,000.
  /  /1893West Highland Railway
Financial crisis; Mr James Hall Renton, a director of the line, used part of his personal fortune to get the line completed.
05/09/1893West Highland Railway
Last spike driven by Mr James Hall Renton on Rannoch Moor.
  /  /1894Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
Craigendoran Pier Deviation
West Highland Railway
Craigendoran signal box closed and replaced by Craigendoran Junction signal box.
31/07/1894West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
West Highland Railway (Mallaig Extension) Act passed.
31/07/1894West Highland Railway
Helensburgh Upper, Shandon, Garelochhead, Glen Douglas, Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum [WHR], Bridge of Orchy, Gorton, Rannoch, Corrour, Inverlair, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge signal boxes opened.
03/08/1894West Highland Railway
Opened from Craigendoran Junction to Fort William [1st].
03/08/1894West Highland Railway
Inspection by Board of Trade.
06/08/1894West Highland Railway
Banavie Junction [1st] signal box opened. (The Banavie [1st] branch was to open in 1895.)
07/08/1894West Highland Railway
Public opening from Fort William to Craigendoran. Stations opened at Craigendoran Upper, Helensburgh Upper, Row, Shandon, Garelochhead, Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Tyndrum [WHR], Bridge of Orchy, Gortan (private), Rannoch, Corrour (private), Inverlair, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William [1st].
11/08/1894West Highland Railway
Ceremonial opening.
04/09/1894West Highland Railway
Helensburgh to Garelochhead train de-railed at Woodend Level Crossing by a stone placed on the line.
01/11/1894West Highland Railway
Refreshment baskets available at Arrochar and Tarbet.
20/12/1894Callander and Oban Railway
Spur from Crianlarich station (West Highland Railway) to Crianlarich Junction [CandO] opened. New passing loop at Crianlarich Junction [CandO] allows removal of up platform and loop at Crianlarich [CandO] station.
01/01/1895West Highland Railway
Inverlair renamed Tulloch.
27/05/1895West Highland Railway
Glen Douglas siding opened.
01/06/1895West Highland Railway
Banavie [1st] branch opened.
  /07/1895West Highland Railway
Refreshment baskets available at Crianlarich [WHR].
  /  /1896West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
West Highland Railway (Guarantee) Act passed, setting up the guarantee for the Mallaig extension. A second West Highland Railway Act then passed, specifying completion to Mallaig by 31/07/1902.
01/05/1896West Highland Railway
Whistlefield opened.
06/05/1896West Highland Railway
Derailment at Banavie Junction [1st] (now Fort William Junction).
  /08/1896West Highland Railway
West Highland Railway (Ballachulish Extension Act) passed, but not built. A bridge over Loch Leven and tramways were not approved.
  /  /1897West Highland Railway North British Railway
The proposed Bill by the West Highland Railway and North British Railway for extension of the West Highland to Inverness is rejected by the Commons. (The Highland Railway's route via Carrbridge was partly open and would be completed in 1989.)
21/01/1897West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
First sod of Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway) cut at Corpach by Lady Margaret Cameron of Lochiel.
20/12/1897West Highland Railway
Connection to Callander and Oban Railway at Crianlarich, from Crianlarich Junction to Crianlarich Junction [CandO].
  /  /1901West Highland Railway
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Original signal box at Spean Bridge closed and replaced along with the opening of a junction signal box, a subsidiary to the main box.
30/03/1901West Highland Railway
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Banavie Junction [2nd], Banavie Canal Bridge, Tomonie Signal Box, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig, Mallaig signal boxes opened. Banavie Junction [1st] signal box and junction renamed Mallaig Junction.
01/04/1901Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Line opened from Banavie (Banavie Junction [2nd]), over the Caledonian Canal and on through Banavie, Corpach, Locheilside, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Beasdale, Arisaig and Morar to Mallaig, extending the West Highland Railway to the western seaboard. There was no official opening ceremony.
22/07/1901West Highland Railway
Sleeper cars from Kings Cross to Fort William commence.
08/08/1906West Highland Railway
Accident at Pulpit Rock, by Loch Lomond.
31/12/1908North British Railway West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
North British Railway formally takes over the West Highland Railway line from Craigendoran to Fort William [1st], Mallaig and the branch to Banavie [1st].
06/12/1909West Highland Railway
Accident at Glen Douglas.
20/09/1921West Highland Railway
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Spean Bridge junction signal box closed, junction rationalised.
04/11/1921West Highland Railway
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Banavie Junction [2nd] signal box closed, replaced by a ground frame.
01/06/1924West Highland Railway
Row renamed Rhu.
01/05/1926West Highland Railway
Gortan renamed Gorton.
  /05/1927West Highland Railway
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
All three lines closed during gales.
08/07/1929West Highland Railway
Restaurant car introduced.
  /10/1929West Highland Railway
Sleepers start to operate all year round.
27/01/1931West Highland Railway
Derailment in Rannoch Moor.
06/07/1931West Highland Railway
A loop added at Rhu.
01/08/1931West Highland Railway
Fersit Halt and branch opened, Loch Treig was to be converted into a reservoir to serve the smelter at Fort William.
07/08/1932West Highland Railway
Loch Treig Tunnel and diversion opened. The line was re-aligned at a higher level as the Loch became a reservoir, part of the Lochaber Aluminium Works scheme.
15/09/1934West Highland Railway
Corrour opened to the public having been a private halt.
01/01/1935West Highland Railway
Fersit Halt closed.
02/05/1937West Highland Railway
Craigendoran West signal box at Craigendoran Upper closed.
02/09/1939West Highland Railway
Banavie Pier to Fort William (Banavie Junction [2nd]) closed to passengers. By closure the service was meagre - a service from Fort William [1st] on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and a reverse working on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. Banavie Junction [2nd] to Mallaig Junction remains open to passengers as part of the Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway).
02/10/1939West Highland Railway
Sleeper withdrawn.
27/04/1941West Highland Railway
Military Port Number 1 Railway
Faslane Junction junction and signal box opened with a loop on the main line, double track junction and exchange sidings for the railway to Military Port No 1, Faslane Military Port.
21/12/1941West Highland Railway
New signal box and longer loop opened at Helensburgh Upper to help with Faslane Military Port traffic.
26/03/1943West Highland Railway
Corpach Naval Sidings, Annat Sidings, opened. These served the Corpach Naval Base.
05/04/1944West Highland Railway
Restaurant cars withdrawn.
26/08/1945West Highland Railway
Faslane Platform opened, for moving prisoners of war to the halts at Inveruglas and Glen Falloch Platform in connection with the building of the Loch Sloy Hydro Electric scheme, Loch Sloy Power Station.
29/10/1945West Highland Railway
Inveruglas, signal box and loop opened.
10/04/1946West Highland Railway
Glen Falloch Platform opened. (Alternative date.)
14/04/1946West Highland Railway
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
Spean Bridge signal box closed and temporary box opened.
  /06/1946West Highland Railway
Restaurant cars re-start.
23/05/1949West Highland Railway
Passenger services between Glasgow Queen Street High Level, Crianlarich [WHR] and Oban start.
28/08/1949West Highland Railway
New Spean Bridge signal box replaces temporary box.
04/06/1950West Highland Railway
Rhu signal box closed.
06/08/1951West Highland Railway
Banavie Pier to Fort William (Banavie Junction [2nd]) (excluded) closed to goods and completely. Banavie Junction [2nd] to Mallaig Junction remains open to passengers as part of the Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway).
20/09/1953West Highland Railway
Military Port Number 1 Railway
Faslane Junction signal box closed replaced by a ground frame.
17/04/1954West Highland Railway
Collision at Bridge of Orchy.
  /  /1955West Highland Railway
British Aluminium Co Ltd erects the Inverlochy Footbridge, roughly where the temporary line of the Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway passed over the Mallaig line, in order to link housing at Inverlochy to the Aluminium Smelter.
09/01/1956West Highland Railway
Rhu closed.
24/09/1956West Highland Railway
Television train runs.
28/03/1960Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
Craigendoran Pier Deviation
West Highland Railway
Craigendoran East signal box closed, control passed to Craigendoran Junction signal box renamed Craigendoran.
04/04/1960West Highland Railway
Rhu re-opened.
30/03/1962West Highland Railway
Fire destroys the station building at Crianlarich [WHR]. The tearoom building and Crianlarich Shed survive.
  /  /1963West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
British Railways and Scottish Pulp (Developments) Ltd agree a 22 year plan for a new Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills to receive raw materials and dispatch paper by rail.
14/06/1964West Highland Railway
Craigendoran (West Highland, high level), Rhu, Shandon, Whistlefield and Glen Douglas closed as the local service from Craigendoran to Arrochar and Tarbet is withdrawn.
06/12/1964West Highland Railway
Roy Bridge signal box closed and loop removed.
  /  /1965West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Fish carrying vans withdrawn.
  /  /1966West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
The Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills open at Corpach leading to a great increase in traffic for the line at a time when it is under threat.
26/02/1967Callander and Oban Railway
West Highland Railway
Crianlarich West and Crianlarich East signal boxes at Crianlarich Lower Junction closed, replaced by a ground frame.
02/04/1967West Highland Railway
Shandon signal box closed and loop taken out.
16/07/1967West Highland Railway
Switching out provided at Tyndrum Upper signal box.
13/08/1967West Highland Railway
Switching out provided at Bridge of Orchy,, Gorton signal boxes.
21/07/1968West Highland Railway
Glasgow bound track at Helensburgh Upper lifted and signal box closed.
04/08/1968West Highland Railway
Gorton signal box closed and loop taken out.
13/06/1975West Highland Railway
New Fort William station opened, old station Fort William [1st], by the pier, closed.
  /  /1980West Highland Railway
Military Port Number 1 Railway
Faslane Junction ground frame and junction taken out about this date.
09/06/1980West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Final timber train leaves Crianlarich Lower for the Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills, Corpach.
  /10/1980West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
As the Pulp Mill at Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills, Corpach, closes much traffic is lost.
02/08/1981West Highland Railway Callander and Oban Railway
A Class 55 'Deltic' visits Oban for the first time (55021 'Argyll and Sutherland Highlander') on a 'Merrymaker' excursion from Edinburgh Waverley to Oban.
23/08/1981West Highland Railway Callander and Oban Railway
Second visit of 'Deltic' 55021 to Oban on a 'Merrymaker' excursion from Edinburgh Waverley.
  /  /1983West Highland Railway
Sunday service introduced.
  /01/1983Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
West Highland Terrier Dog symbol adopted for the depot, with the logo being applied to locomotives (particularly appropriate for the Class 37s on the West Highland Railway).
  /  /1984West Highland Railway
Steam trains return to the line.
10/08/1985West Highland Railway
Switching out removed from Tyndrum Upper, Bridge of Orchy signal boxes.
  /11/1985West Highland Railway
Corrour signal box closed.
03/11/1985West Highland Railway
Rannoch signal box closed.
08/12/1985West Highland Railway
Crianlarich signal box closed.
22/12/1985West Highland Railway
Tyndrum Upper signal box closed.
12/01/1986West Highland Railway
Ardlui signal box closed.
19/01/1986West Highland Railway
Arrochar and Tarbet signal box closed.
26/01/1986West Highland Railway
Glen Douglas signal box closed.
02/02/1986West Highland Railway
Garelochhead signal box closed.
23/02/1986West Highland Railway
Tulloch signal box closed.
02/03/1986West Highland Railway
Spean Bridge signal box closed.
  /  /1987West Highland Railway
Tulloch station building falls out of use with the introduction of RETB.
14/06/1987West Highland Railway
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
New RETB signalling centre opened at Banavie - the first step is to take over operation of the Banavie Swing Bridge as a swing bridge and gate box. Banavie signal box closed.
06/12/1987West Highland Railway
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
RETB, based at the signalling centre at Banavie, comes into operation. Takes over Glenfinnan, Arisaig. Annat Signal Box reduced to gate box.
27/03/1988West Highland Railway
Garelochhead, Glen Douglas, Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich block posts eliminated by RETB.
08/05/1988West Highland Railway
Corrour block post can be switched out.
08/05/1988West Highland Railway
Spean Bridge block post can be switched out.
19/05/1988West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Banavie RETB Signalling Centre formally opened by David Mitchell, Minister for Transport.
29/05/1988West Highland Railway
Tyndrum Upper, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Corrour, Tulloch, Spean Bridge block posts eliminated by RETB.
23/01/1989West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Class 156 'Sprinters' introduced, replacing Class 37/4 hauled rolling stock.
14/05/1990West Highland Railway
Motorail service commences running to Fort William.
28/05/1995West Highland Railway
Motorail service withdrawn.
  /08/1997West Highland Railway
Summit board sign at Corrour Summit replaced.
06/06/1998West Highland Railway
Tulloch station building opened, after renovation at a cost of £200,000, as a bunkhouse.
30/07/1998West Highland Railway
Derailment at Crianlarich.
28/10/1999West Highland Railway
Derailment at Corrour.
  /11/1999West Highland Railway
Railtrack begins £100,000 renovation of Garelochhead, to be repainted and rotten floors replaced.
02/07/2000West Highland Railway
Class 66s cleared for the West Highland Railway.
23/07/2001West Highland Railway
New accommodation and restaurant building at Corrour station closes.
24/09/2001West Highland Railway
Heating and gas oil traffic from Grangemouth New Oil Terminal to Fort William Oil Sidings restarts (having ceased in the 1980s).
26/09/2001West Highland Railway
Fort William Oil Sidings re-opened.
10/11/2001West Highland Railway
The northbound sleeper suffers a four and a half hour delay when slippage stopped the train at Craigendoran Upper. An additional 37 was sent from Motherwell to assist.
  /  /2002West Highland Railway
Former London Marylebone turntable installed at Fort William Junction Yard.
  /06/2002West Highland Railway
Bridge of Orchy station building renovated.
  /  /2005West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Paper mill at the Scottish Pulp and Paper Mills closes, 135 jobs lost.
08/01/2005West Highland Railway
Closed between Roy Bridge and Tulloch due to floodwaters rising in Monessie Gorge.
05/03/2005West Highland Railway Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Class 50s reach Mallaig on a Pathfinders tour for the first time (50031 Hood and 50049 Defiance). Arrived Fort William on the 4th, Mallaig on the 5th (having to run to Arisaig and back to pass a Sprinter due to its length before the return journey) and to Dundee from Fort William on the 6th.
15/09/2005West Highland Railway
David Bellamy opens visitors centre at Rannoch station.
21/12/2005West Highland Railway
English, Welsh and Scottish Railway restarts carrying ingots south from the Lochaber Smelter. (These had been swapped from rail to road by Freightliner who lost the traffic.)
  /06/2006West Highland Railway
Caledonian Sleeper haulage changes from Class 37s to Class 67s.
  /10/2007West Highland Railway
British Aluminium is asked to repair the Inverlochy Footbridge.
  /05/2008West Highland Railway
UPM Tilhill and CSP Forestry are awarded a £250,000 Freight Facilities Grant to assist with the movement of 120,000 tonnes of timber by Colas from Rannoch to the Caledonian Paper Mill, near Barassie and Irvine, over eight years. A lineside loading pad is to be built by Tilhill.
  /02/2010West Highland Railway
GB Railfreight wins three year contract to move alumina from North Blyth to the Lochaber Smelter, Fort William.
26/02/2010West Highland Railway
Avalanches block the line between Upper Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. (Re-opened on 8th of March.)
  /04/2010West Highland Railway
Historic Scotland issues a formal notice to stop the demolition of Spean Bridge signal box.
28/06/2012West Highland Railway
GBRf 66734 'The Eco Express' on a loaded northbound train for the Lochaber Smelter derails alongside Loch Treig following a landslip on 28 June. Tank wagons were removed relatively easily to Corrour but the locomotive was cut up on site.
  /  /2016West Highland Railway
Caledonian Sleeper haulage changes from Class 67s to Class 73s.
  /  /2016West Highland Railway
Corrour signal box renovated.
  /10/2019ScotRail
Work begins to convert Class 153s, leased from Angel Trains, for carrying bicycles on the West Highland Railway (for Oban services). The work was undertaken by Brodie Engineering, Kilmarnock. The Class 153s are coupled with Class 156s.
04/03/2020West Highland Railway
A Class 55 'Deltic' visits Fort William for the first time (55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier') on a tour from Cardiff.
07/03/2020West Highland Railway Callander and Oban Railway
Caledonian Sleeper temporarily diverted to Oban due to flooding at Monessie Gorge.
14/07/2020West Highland Railway
Caledonian Sleeper re-starts after pause due to COVID-19.

Route described

The West Highland is a line apart. Despite fears over the years that it will lose its identity, it retains a certain something - probably a reflection of how different the West Highlands are from the rest of Scotland. Grander, sheerer mountains, sea and inland lochs, islands ...



The line is 99 miles long from Craigendoran Junction, itself 23 miles from Glasgow.


Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Craigendoran to Fort William

This was the main line of the original line running from Craigendoran Junction to Fort William [1st].

The pier platform lines met the Helensburgh line east of Craigendoran station. This was remodelled in 1894 into a junction proper when the West Highland Railway opened. This was a double track junction, the West Highland becoming single track north of Craigendoran Upper station.
...

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See also
Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
Craigendoran Pier Deviation
A pair of Class 334s run along the sea wall at Craigendoran Jct on a Helensburgh to Edinburgh service on 2 July 2021. The view is eastwards with the ...
John McIntyre 02/07/2021
Northbound freight train and fluffy clouds at Craigendoran Junction in August 2018. ...
Beth Crawford 09/08/2018
A tree stump on the Waitrose service road is excellently placed to give a better view over the lineside fence at Craigendoran Junction. 334004 leads a ...
Mark Bartlett 30/07/2017
What should have been the Oban and Mallaig to Glasgow train on 27 January 2022, actually was only 156457 from Oban, with the Mallaig portion failing ...
John McIntyre 27/01/2022
4 of 52 images. more


This was an island platform station of the West Highland Railway Swiss chalet style directly alongside the station on the Helensburgh line and pier station. The West Highland joins the Helensburgh line just to the east of the station at Craigendoran Junction.
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Bridges of the West Highland; at Craigendoran a short distance to the north of the upper station, the railway had to cross the A814 road. This ...
John McIntyre 02/07/2021
Blocked off steps which formerly ran up to the island platform of Craigendoran. ...
Ewan Crawford 08/02/2019
A 66 with the empties from the Lochaber Smelter drops down from Helensburgh Upper to Craigendoran. This view overlooking Helensburgh and the Gare Loch ...
Ewan Crawford 02/02/2018
27034 with evening train from Mallaig passing site of Craigendoran Upper station. ...
John Robin //
4 of 7 images. more


The west box was a tall structure, which was described as looking like a pagoda - a six sided building approached by a walkway from the West Highland Railway trackbed. It controlled the northern approach to the West Highland Craigendoran station. The box was closed in 1937 when Craigendoran Junction box took over.
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A set of sidings above Craigendoran Junction approached from the junction were associated with the construction of the West Highland Railway. Lucas and Aird's Depot.
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This goods yard, a simple single siding with a loading bank approached from the west, was immediately east of Helensburgh Upper. A typical West Highland railway cottage stands to the north of the site. ...

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This station is open. It is located in the north of Helensburgh, up above the town centre (better served by Helensburgh Central).
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See also
Military Port Number 1 Railway
GBRF 66736 restarts from Helensburgh Upper, with the North Blyth to Fort William loaded alumina tanks, on a wet 24 June 2021. ...
John McIntyre 24/06/2021
The ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Mallaig, dividing at Crianlarich, calling at Helensburgh Upper on Wednesday, 7th September ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
Vegetation between Craigendoran Junction and Helensburgh Upper. ...
Network Rail /01/2022
Platform sign at Helensburgh Upper on 2 June 2009. [The Gaelic version omits the 'Upper'.] ...
David Panton 02/06/2009
4 of 36 images. more


This level crossing is west of Helensburgh Upper. The farm was to the south, this crossing giving access to the farmland to the north of the line.
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This level crossing with Glenoran Road is east of Rhu. It gives to Ardencaple Farm from the south, and access from the farm to farmland to the south. A former crossing keeper's cottage is on the north side of the line, east of the crossing - it was added after the line's opening.
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This was a two platform station, more typical of the stations on the northern section of the line. The main station building was on the west/northbound platform. To its west was the footbridge connecting to the eastbound platform with the taller than usual signal box.
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The mid afternoon service from Glasgow to Oban and Mallaig on 01 July 2021 passes the site of Rhu station. The former up platform was still in situ ...
John McIntyre 01/07/2021
A northbound 66 with only a few wagons heads north from Rhu for the Lochaber Smelter. ...
Ewan Crawford 25/07/2019
A northbound alumina train for Fort William passes high above the Rhu Narrows. HMS Grimsby heads for Faslane. Helensburgh is in the distant right and ...
Ewan Crawford 08/11/2018
K1 passing the site of Rhu Station. ...
John Robin //
4 of 15 images. more


This junction was installed in the Second World War. It was a double track junction as a long loop was put in on the West Highland Railway and the connection to the Military Port Number 1 Railway yard was double track. Faslane Junction Yard was just to the north on the branch.
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More details

See also
Military Port Number 1 Railway
One of several buildings at Faslane Junction, that in May 2007 were starting to be camouflaged by the vegetation. The buildings were used railway ...
John McIntyre 28/05/2007
West Highland Line, bridge over stream at Glen Fruin. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 30/04/2007
West Highland Line, bridge over Glen Fruin road. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 30/04/2007
Remains of signalpost at former marshalling yard by Faslane Junction. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 9 images. more


This was a single platform halt. It was built in connection with the nearby Faslane Military Port. The halt was also used to facilitate the transport prisoners of war to Inveruglas which was a halt for the Loch Sloy Hydroscheme (construction of Inveruglas Power Station and Loch Sloy Dam). There was a hutted encampment of Nissen Huts at the Stuckenduff Farm by the halt. A train for ...

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Steam train for Fort William passing the site of Faslane Platform near Shandon. ...
Ewan Crawford 25/05/2006
1 of 1 images.


This was an island platform station in the typical West Highland Swiss Chalet style, passenger access was by subway (north end, entry from by the railway cottage). There was a loading bank siding on the east side of the line, served from the Helensburgh direction. The signal box was on the platform, at its south end. The tablet instruments were in the station building.
...

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The North Blyth to Fort William alumina tanks passes the site of Shandon station on 6 July 2021 with 66736 in charge again. The station had been an ...
John McIntyre 06/07/2021
A southbound Sprinter runs above the Gare Loch close to Shandon. ...
Ewan Crawford 08/11/2018
West Highland Line, from bridge by Shandon Station site, looking SE. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 17/04/2007
West Highland Line, from bridge by Shandon Station site, looking NW. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 17/04/2007
4 of 13 images. more


This level crossing is just off the A814 above Faslane. It gives access to High Balernock Farm, off to the east. The location is used as an access point by railway maintenance teams.
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West Highland Line, High Balernock level crossing looking S. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 30/04/2007
West Highland Line, High Balernock level crossing looking N. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 30/04/2007
2 of 2 images.


This is an island platform station with an original West Highland Railway chalet-style building and signal box ('B' listed, closed 1986). A parcels building and short platform (both demolished 2017) were on the west side of the station. Access to the station is by means of a subway. The ironmongery typical of West Highland station subways remains intact - fencing round the pit of the subway ...

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Garelochhead, viewed from the approach road and parking area, as 156500 calls at the station with the morning train from Oban to Glasgow on 1st June ...
Mark Bartlett 01/06/2017
156457 arrives at Garelochhead on 18 June 2021 with the early evening Glasgow to Oban service. ...
John McIntyre 18/06/2021
A glimpse of 156485 as it passes over the entrance subway, on departure from Garelochhead, with the morning service from Oban to Glasgow on 1st August ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2017
Ah, the red crunchy gravel of a WHL platform, like the approach to a country house. A Glasgow service pulls up at Garelochhhead in July 1997. ...
David Panton 21/07/1997
4 of 32 images. more


This three span single track lattice girder viaduct is between Garelochhead (to the south) and the former Whistlefield (to the north) stations.
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This is the west side of Garelochhead Viaduct, about three quarters of a mile north of the station. ...
Ewan Crawford 16/11/2022
A Sprinter climbs hard from Garelochhead to Whistlefield. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
The lunchtime Speedlink to Crianlarich heads north over the Garelochhead Viaduct. Hauled by 37 403 ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
The morning Mossend-Fort William freight crosses Garelochhead Viaduct on its way north. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
4 of 10 images. more


This was a single platform station with a station building different to others on the line designed by James Miller, more akin to those on the Callander and Oban Railway. It was an unsuitable location for a station with a cramped location and the line on a gradient.
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Whistlefield Halt, photographed on the day of closure, 14th June 1964. ...
Brian Haslehust 14/06/1964
1 of 1 images.


This is a three girder viaduct carrying a single track over the Allt Darach. The viaduct is above Finnart Oil Terminal on Loch Long. ...

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A northbound Highland Explorer crosses over the Finnart Viaduct, left to right. This viaduct used to be considerably easier to photograph, tree growth ...
Ewan Crawford 01/09/2022
44871 returns north to Fort William after a quick stint in Fife and the Borders over two weekends. The locomotive is seen here just north of Finnart ...
Ewan Crawford 20/08/2018
A northbound Sprinter crossing the viaduct high above Finnart in 1991 with Loch Long in the background. ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
3 of 3 images.


This summit is south of the former Glen Douglas station loop. It is a summit of 564 ft where, going north, the line crosses from Gleann Culanach to the west end of Glen Douglas before the long run downhill to Arrochar.
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A Southbound sprinter passes through Gleann Culanach, the glen where the railway takes an inland route above Loch Long. Glen Douglas is in the ...
Ewan Crawford 01/09/2022
Just south of Glen Douglas a freight train for the Lochaber Smelter heads north through Glen Culanach. This glen is high above Loch long and to the ...
Ewan Crawford 16/08/2014
2 of 2 images.


This was a halt on the West Highland Railway, opening one year after the line opened. For many years it was private. The loop remains here but the platform and building have been removed. The island platform was to the north of the signal box. There was a signal box and building such as those found at Corrour and, formerly, Gorton [WHR]. The building was, as a the others, on the far side ...

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A carefully prepared bundle of fenceposts and fencing is taken by helicopter from Glen Douglas northwards beside Loch Long to the fairly rugged ...
Ewan Crawford 04/11/2022
A helicopter lifts fencing to be taken to remote locations between Glen Douglas and Arrochar. ...
Network Rail //2022
A pair of 37s lead a long rake of carriage travelling south from Fort William to Steamtown Carnforth with 62005 in the rear. Loch Long is to the left. ...
Ewan Crawford 26/07/2021
North of Glen Douglas the line makes several tight turns to reach Loch Long and for a short section runs on a shelf of ballast held back by boards. A ...
Ewan Crawford 16/01/2023
4 of 34 images. more


This government munitions depot is located in Glen Douglas. It is rail served and a private road connects it to Glen Mallan Jetty.
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Glen Douglas depot reversing spur (centre) and West Highland line on right. ...
Ewan Crawford //
West Highland line runs left to right in background. A sidings comes off this (left) to a reversing spur (right) and a siding comes from right middle ...
Ewan Crawford //
West Highland Line Glen Douglas siding. ...
Alistair MacKenzie 17/04/2007
Short train sitting in the depot at Glen Douglas. West Highland line on hillside in background. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 4 images.


This railway cottage was between Glen Douglas Halt and Arrochar and Tarbet station. It was located on the west side of the line. Down below, to the south west, was the small settlement of High Morlaggan. The hillside on the west side of the line drops down to Loch Long. On the east side there are cliffs.
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Blue train, blue sky, blue sea and bluebells. A sunny day at High Morlaggan, Loch Long with a southbound combined train from Mallaig and Oban. Fine ...
Ewan Crawford 25/05/2023
GBRf 66740, with a Fort William to Blyth freight, passes High Morlaggan in December 2022. ...
Ewan Crawford 02/12/2022
A northbound freight comes out of the sunset about half an hour early above Morlaggan, Loch Long. ...
Ewan Crawford 06/12/2022
A northbound Oban and Mallaig services passes through the site of a boulderfield from an ancient cliff collapse above Loch Long near Morlaggan. Some ...
Ewan Crawford 16/01/2023
4 of 41 images. more


This single track girder viaduct of three spans crosses the An t-Sreang. The viaduct is above the Tighness in the south of Arrochar.
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A Sprinter approaches Manse Viaduct from the south. Mist hangs over Glen Croe. ...
Ewan Crawford 02/12/2022
As the light fades the freight approaches the Manse Viaduct from the south. ...
Ewan Crawford 05/01/2023
A tamper from Crianlarich has just crossed Manse Viaduct, a little south of Arrochar, and is on its way south to Rutherglen. The structure on the left ...
Ewan Crawford 05/01/2023
Just south of Manse Viaduct is fairly typical of the line above Loch Long - trees on either side of the line. Recently trees have been felled, ...
Ewan Crawford 04/02/2020
4 of 7 images. more


This is an island platform station, typical of the West Highland Railway. The station building was removed in the late 1990s/early 2000s after several years of being vacant. This was of the Swiss chalet style typical of the line. Access is via a subway and this also gives access to the hillside to the west.
...

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Southbound Sprinter from Mallaig, Fort William and Oban passing the platelayers' hut at the site of the northern distant signal for Arrochar and ...
Ewan Crawford 19/08/2021
66736 approaches Arrochar and Tarbet from the south with a train for the Lochaber Smelter in 2013. The Loch Long is in the background. ...
Ewan Crawford 24/08/2013
The ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Mallaig, dividing at Crianlarich with the Mallaig portion reversing at Fort William, ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
An Oban service calls at Arrochar in June 1998. By today's standards the ScotRail branding on the 156 is rather understated. The colours of the ...
David Panton 17/06/1996
4 of 66 images. more


This girder viaduct, a little south of the former wartime hydroscheme construction Inveruglas station, crosses over the Inveruglas Water. It will be familiar to many road users as there is a very sharp bend on the neighbouring A82 with a brief view of the viaduct off to the left.
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This was a one platform workman's halt, with the platform on the east side of a passing loop. The West Highland Railway is still open but there is no station here today. The site was on the west side of Loch Lomond north of the Inveruglas Water and just west of Upper Inveruglas farm. There were three sidings in the yard with a loading bank, approached from the north, on the west side. This ...

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A northbound 'Highland Explorer' Sprinter (bottom right) passes the site of the former halt at Inveruglas (opened for the Loch Sloy Hydroscheme) ...
Ewan Crawford 10/08/2021
Inveruglas station sign on the side of a farmer at Inveruglas. ...
Ewan Crawford //
The site of Inveruglas station in 1993 in a view looking north. The sidings were on the left, approached from the distant end. The open railway is on ...
Ewan Crawford //1993
Southbound Sprinter at Inveruglas in October 2006. ...
Ewan Crawford 04/10/2006
4 of 5 images. more


This is an 8 arch castellated single track 396 ft long viaduct on the west side of Loch Lomond. It is 58 ft high.
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Craigenarden Viaduct, between Tarbet and Inveruglas on the west bank of Loch Lomond seen on a sweltering day in 1992. Since the photograph was taken ...
Ewan Crawford //1992
Northbound Sprinter crosses the Craigenarden Viaduct by Loch Lomond. There is a very, very short tunnel here which was the only tunnel on the line ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
2 of 2 images.


This was the only tunnel on the main line of the West Highland Railway. It is 147 ft long and located just north of the Craigenarden Viaduct.
...

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This is an island platform station, typical of the West Highland line. The station is near the north end of Loch Lomond. The station building was demolished due to subsidence but was of the 'Swiss chalet' style typical of the line. Before demolition the building had developed a distinct lean to the east. Access is via a subway from the east (road) side. The signal box (closed 1986) remains in ...

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Ardlui station nameplate. A quick jump off and back on the train picture. ...
Gordon Steel 24/05/2016
A night view of 66740, on its way to the Lochaber Smelter, passing through Ardlui on 23nd November 2022. ...
Ewan Crawford 22/11/2022
Ardlui station at the north end of Loch Lomond, looking north, with passengers alighting from the Mallaig portion of the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
A northbound Oban, Fort William and Mallaig service heads out of Ardlui, viewed from the east slope of Stob an Fhithich, (where there were indeed ...
Ewan Crawford 22/11/2022
4 of 37 images. more


This was a single platform halt. Traces of the foundations of the platform remain. It was located south of Glen Falloch Viaduct. The halt was associated with the building of the Loch Sloy hydro scheme and it was served by unadvertised trains from Faslane Platform serving stations north such as the private Inveruglas (where Loch Sloy Power Station was built) and picking up ...

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A 37 brings a tour train south from the Glen Falloch Viaduct at the site of Glen Falloch Platform. There is a short rise here so despite the general ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
Not a flat surface anywhere! Northbound sleeper climbing from Glen Falloch Viaduct in 1995. (The platform was further south.) ...
Ewan Crawford //1995
2 of 2 images.


This is a 426 ft 7 span single track lattice girder viaduct crossing the Dubh Eas, 144ft below (see trivia, right). The viaduct is on a curve. It is located between Ardlui and Crianlarich.
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A Sprinter crosses the Glen Falloch Viaduct in 1991. It is the highest viaduct on the West Highland with the deck at a height of 144 ft. ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
A southbound Sprinter crosses Glen Falloch Viaduct in 1991, viewed from the south. Creag an Duin dominates the background. ...
Ewan Crawford 26/09/1991
Black Fives 44871 and 45407 make steady progress up Glen Falloch on the way to Fort William from Inverness on 14 May, seen here crossing the viaduct ...
John Gray 14/05/2014
Train in landscape; a northbound freight crosses the Glen Falloch Viaduct in 1991. The view looks south with the head of Loch Lomond in the far ...
Ewan Crawford 28/09/1991
4 of 4 images.


This single track girder viaduct crosses the Eas Eonan.
...

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This is an island platform station on the West Highland Railway where the lines to Oban (to the west) and Fort William divide. It is famous for its tearoom. Crianlarich Station Tearoom . The station is in Perthshire. Entry is by a subway at the north end of the station. The former signal box (closed 1985) is also at the north end of the ...

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Although no notes were kept for this 1969 photograph, I think it shows a Class 27 reversing empty timber wagons out of the northbound platform at ...
Brian Haslehust //1969
37424, in TransRail livery, seen at Crianlarich in May 1998. Still on the main line in 2021 running as 37558 in large logo livery with Direct Rail ...
David Panton 17/05/1998
First Scotrail liveried Super Sprinter 156474 runs into Crianlarich Upper station on the rear of a twin 156 working from Mallaig and Fort William to ...
David Pesterfield 26/06/2013
Crianlarich goods yard in 2002, busy with timber traffic.
...
Bill Roberton //2002
4 of 94 images. more


This junction is immediately north of Crianlarich station. Here the the lines to Oban and Fort William separate. The junction faces south. Just to the north, on the Fort William route, is the Glenbruar Viaduct.
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The 'Mexican Bean' BRC&W 104 325 approaches Crianlarich in 1985 with a service from Oban. The West Highland Railway for Fort William diverges to the ...
Bill Roberton //1985
GBRf 66736 draws away from Crianlarich with the North Blyth - Fort William Alcan service on 19 October 2017. The Oban line diverges to the left. ...
Bill Roberton 19/10/2017
Ex Oban train approaching Crianlarich station on the short spur which links the West Highland to the Callander and Oban. Ahead the narrow bridge where ...
Beth Crawford 05/05/2017
37 403 approaching Crianlarich Junction. It is on the Crianlarich Lower Junction - Crianlarich Junction section heading south, immediately behind is ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
4 of 12 images. more


This single track girder viaduct is just north of Crianlarich station and Crianlarich Junction where the lines to Oban and Fort William divide. Just to the north is the Fillan Viaduct.
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Lost Railfreight The loaded southbound train from Fort William carrying aluminium slab is seen crossing the Glenbruar Viaduct, Crianlarich, in ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
This bridge to the north of Crianlarich carries the Fort William line. Just after passing under this bridge the A85 road joins the A82 and then also ...
Mark Bartlett 29/03/2009
Looking east at the viaduct in Crianlarich. ...
Ewan Crawford //
37402 crosses the viaduct north of Crianlarich station with a Glasgow Queen Street - Fort William train in August 1987. ...
Ian Dinmore 10/08/1987
4 of 4 images.


This lattice girder bridge is just north of the Glenbruar Viaduct, Crianlarich Junction and Crianlarich station on the West Highland Railway. The viaduct crosses the River Fillan and has two spans of 55 ft and four spans of 40 ft.
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66737 crosses the Fillan Viaduct, just north of Crianlarich station and junction, with a freight train for Fort William. ...
Ewan Crawford 04/08/2022
66737, with the Fort William freight, turning west into Strath Fillan alongside the Fillan RETB token exchange point. In the background is Ben More ...
Ewan Crawford 04/08/2022
The Fort William freight heads into Strath Fillan. It will shortly pass Inverhaggernie. ...
Ewan Crawford 04/08/2022
Northbound 45212 passes the Fillan stop board north of Crianlarich. This location will be familiar to regulars on the West Highland as the place where ...
Ewan Crawford 16/04/2019
4 of 15 images. more


This is an occupational crossing with the West Highland Railway at Inverhaggernie Farm, which is just to the south. There is a footbridge just to the north west and immediately Inverhaggernie Viaduct.
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The longest day allows a photograph of the southbound sleeper on the approach to Crianlarich. The sun has just set and the midges were out in force. ...
Ewan Crawford 21/06/2019
An evening service for Fort William heads north between Crianlarich and Upper Tyndrum. Beinn Odhar provides the backdrop. ...
Ewan Crawford 28/03/2018
2 of 2 images.


This single track girder viaduct, between Crianlarich and Upper Tyndrum, is to the north of Inverhaggernie Farm. It crosses the Inverhaggernie Burn. Just to the south east is a footbridge over the line and, beyond that, Inverhaggernie No 2 Level Crossing.
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This occupational crossing is north of Kirkton Farm. Auchtertyre Viaduct is to the north west.
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This is a 300 ft single track lattice girder viaduct on a gentle curve. The viaduct has a 101 ft central span and four 40 ft spans.
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A BRCW Type 2 heading downhill from Tyndrum Upper with a southbound West Highland Line service on Easter Monday 1975. The photo was taken as the train ...
Robin McGregor 31/03/1975
A northbound Sprinter crosses the Auchtertyre Viaduct on 5th March 2020. ...
Ewan Crawford 05/03/2020
A northbound freight, hauled by 66733 from North Blyth Alcan Terminal to the Lochaber Smelter slowly approaches the Auchtertyre Viaduct in ...
Ewan Crawford 05/03/2020
A northbound sprinter crosses the Auchtertyre Viaduct in 1991, when the Sprinter was still new. ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
4 of 8 images. more


This is an island platform station in the West Highland 'Swiss Chalet' style. The station building, signal box (closed 1984, 'B' listed and restored), stationmaster's cottage and railwaymen's cottage survive. Entry to the station is by a subway. There is a very small parking area. The station is east of Tyndrum, a small settlement at the west end of Strath Fillan. It is high above the village, as ...

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Upper Tyndrum station, looking north, seen from the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at Fort William, on Wednesday, ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
Sprinter rests at Upper Tyndrum. View looks north. ...
Ewan Crawford //1994
A service from Mallaig makes its final stop before joining the soft southerners from the Oban branch at Crianlarich. Strangely, there's only a ...
David Panton 31/10/2018
It's a stiff hike to Upper Tyndrum (sometime Tyndrum Upper) so you want to
...
David Panton 01/11/2017
4 of 12 images. more


This is a summit at 1,024 ft between Tyndrum Upper and Bridge of Orchy.
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High summer and it is dull as dull. Does the sun ever shine at County March? Not for me. [It does! See John Kirk's photograph 86187. -EC] 37402 on ...
Roger Geach 20/07/1988
This photograph is published in 'The Scottish Railway Scene 1973-2020' by John Kirk, published by Pen & Sword.
...
John Kirk //
Northbound freight Climbing to County March Summit from Tyndrum Upper. ...
Ewan Crawford //1989
A Sprinter on the climb northwards from Upper Tyndrum to County March Summit approaches the former overbridge. When the line opened the road north of ...
Ewan Crawford 12/12/2018
4 of 19 images. more


This is a single track five span girder viaduct of 318 ft on a curve, a viaduct with five 60 ft spans. The viaduct is on the 'Horseshoe Curve', south of Bridge of Orchy and north of County March Summit [West Highland].
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View from a Glasgow-Fort William train on the Horseshoe Curve in 1961. The locomotive is one of Eastfield's Standard Fives and the train is crossing ...
Brian Haslehust 31/08/1961
Looking back towards the smaller of the two Horseshoe Curve viaducts which crosses Glen Coralan. The slopes of Beinn Odhar rise prominently on the ...
Paul D Kerr 04/09/2006
Fort William - Glasgow Sprinter on the Horseshoe Curve nearing County March Summit. ...
Ewan Crawford 01/07/2006
To get here involved a bit of a hike and the weather was dreadful,but,here we have 61994 The Great Marquess southbound, crossing one of the ...
John Gray 27/09/2009
4 of 4 images.


This is a single track girder viaduct on a curve of 576 ft, consisting of nine spans of 60 ft. The viaduct is on the Horseshoe Curve, south of Bridge of Orchy and north of County March Summit [West Highland].
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The 06.55 Mallaig to Glasgow Queen Street crossing Horseshoe Viaduct in October 1975. Motive power is an unidentified Class 27. ...
John Clark /10/1975
The Horseshoe Viaduct from its west end in 2006. ...
Ewan Crawford 01/07/2006
Caption by Colin McDonald. The West Highland Railway, c. 1960. This was taken by my brother Malcolm McDonald who now lives in Calgary, and he sent it ...
Malcolm McDonald //1960
Aerial view of Auch / Horseshoe Viaduct, between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. ...
Network Rail //
4 of 7 images. more


This is an island platform station in the West Highland Swiss Chalet style. At the south end of the platform is the disused signal box, closed 1985, which is 'B' listed. The station master's house and railwaymen's cottage also survive. Entry to the station is by a subway.
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Bridge of Orchy station, seen from the Mallaig portion of the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street, looking north, calling on Wednesday, 7th ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
This was the interior of Bridge of Orchy signal box seen in 1995. ...
Ewan Crawford //1995
Lost Railfreight. 66102 waits to cross a southbound passenger train at Bridge of Orchy with fuel tanks for Fort William in 2005. #COP26 ...
Bill Roberton //2005
View south to Bridge of Orchy station from the level crossing in 1990. Note the felled signalpost on the right. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
4 of 36 images. more


This single track girder viaduct is above Achallader, which is to its north. The viaduct is located between Bridge of Orchy (south west) and Gorton [WHR]. It crosses the Allt Coire Achaladair.
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A Sprinter heading south above Loch Tulla. A minute before it was snowing, a minute later it was sunny then the snow flurries started again ... ...
Ewan Crawford 25/04/2017
High above Loch Tulla a four coach Sprinter turns its nose south and heads for Bridge of Orchy. ...
Ewan Crawford 25/04/2017
In early 1991 a Sprinter above Achallader heads south. ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
Class 37 hauled freight heading north above Loch Tulla. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 4 images.




This viaduct crosses the Allt na Crannaich just west of Crannach Forest between Bridge of Orchy (south west) and Gorton [WHR] (north east).
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This lineside cottage was south west of the former Gorton [WHR] and south of Gorton Bothy, about midway between the two. The cottage was on the south side of the line. A long distance track passes under the line just to the west of its site.
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The site of Rowantree Lineside Cottage, west of Gorton Crossing, seen in 2021. All that remained was the pile of bricks in the foreground. ...
Ewan Crawford 01/08/2021
Network Rail engineers have completed a £7m project to improve the West Highland Line for passengers.
...
Network Rail /04/2022
Track panels and lineside containers south of Gorton, north of Bridge of Orchy, where track renewal has taken place. ...
Ewan Crawford 30/03/2022
A southbound sleeper heads away from Gorton in 1995. ...
Ewan Crawford //1995
4 of 6 images. more


This former station is now Gorton Crossing (also known as Gorton CE Siding) a passing place on the line with ground frames to operate the points. It is used for engineering trains or machines only. Its location is remote, with no road access, on the southern edge of Rannoch Moor at Tom nam Broc near Gorton Bothy. It was a private station with an island platform.
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The southbound sleeper approaches Gorton. For most of the year on weekdays this train arrives after the sun has set, but in June and July it is still ...
Ewan Crawford 23/06/2023
As evening shadows lengthen a northbound Highland Explorer passes Gorton loop. ...
Ewan Crawford 22/06/2023
A northbound freight passes through Gorton loop in June 2023. ...
Ewan Crawford 23/06/2023
A southbound Sprinter passes Gorton as the light begins to fail on the 30th March 2022. ...
Ewan Crawford 30/03/2022
4 of 16 images. more


This is a single track steel single span girder viaduct between Gorton [WHR] (to the south) and Gaur Viaduct (a viaduct south of Rannoch).
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This is a five girder single track viaduct south of Rannoch station. Also known as Garbh Ghaoir Viaduct. Loch Laidon, to the west, drains east (passing under the viaduct) to Loch Eigheach (Gaur Reservoir) which itself drains to the east to Loch Rannoch.
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A southbound Sprinter crosses the Gaur Viaduct, just south of Rannoch station, in 1997. ...
Ewan Crawford 12/04/1997
B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower,' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig,' cross the Gaur Viaduct at
...
John Gray 13/05/2019
Rannoch viewed from the south. ...
Ewan Crawford //1997
2005 heads onto the moor after leaving Rannoch Station. ...
John Robin 14/11/1987
4 of 6 images. more


This island platform station retains its original building and signal box (closed 1985 and 'B' listed) to the north of the station building. Access is by means of a footbridge, not the original footbridge but a replacement (from Corrour) installed in the 1980s after entry was by means of a pedestrian level crossing to the south end of the platform for several years. Parking is on the east side ...

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The footbridge leading to the little shelter on the car park is a distinctive feature of Rannoch station. A Mallaig bound train arrives at the island ...
Mark Bartlett 20/04/2022
37145, with a freight from Fort William to Cadder Yard, at Rannoch where it waited to pass another freight service on 20th June 1979. Seeing 37145 was ...
Roger Geach 20/06/1979
'Isle of Mull' 37403 waits for the road at Rannoch with empty alumina hoppers from Fort William. ...
Bill Roberton //1987
Rannoch station, with its exhibition and refreshment rooms, looking north from the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
4 of 71 images. more


This is a single track lattice girder viaduct just north of Rannoch station.
...

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A four-car Sprinter crosses Rannoch Viaduct as it nears the station with the 1010hrs, Mallaig to Glasgow service on 20th April 2022. ...
Mark Bartlett 20/04/2022
The planned timber loading site (lineside loading) near Rannoch is about a quarter of a mile north of the viaduct - on a steep gradient and a curve ...
Bill Roberton //1987
North of Rannoch Viaduct is the proposed location of a new timber loading point. A loading pad, without siding, will be built along with a road ...
David Spaven 21/09/2017
The west side of Rannoch Viaduct, north of the station, in a view looking north. Note the strengthening of three of the piers below the girders. ...
Ewan Crawford //1991
4 of 17 images. more


This is deep cutting with a roof to prevent drifting snow from blocking the line.
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A sprinter enters the Cruach Rock Shed. This is not a true tunnel but a cutting with a cover to prevent blockage due to snow drifting. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
View north over the northern half of the Cruach Rock Snowshed. This is a covered cutting running north 205 yards from a girder overbridge. The roof is ...
Ewan Crawford 15/02/2010
I love this kind of photograph; a train barely visible in landscape. This shows much of the nature of the West Highland Railway and given that the ...
Ewan Crawford 15/02/2010
The Fort William portion of the Caledonian Sleeper approaching Cruach Rock Snowshed from Rannoch on the morning of 15 February 2010. This cutting lies ...
Ewan Crawford 15/02/2010
4 of 5 images. more






This small station on the West Highland Railway is only accessible by train, or via a very long private road. In summer the station is a B+B and restaurant Corrour Station House Restaurant . This replaced the former stationmaster's cottage in 1998, which had in any case been altered.
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Corrour station is the most isolated on the West Highland Line with no road access. Seen here from the Mallaig portion of the ex-14.22 service from ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
A new plaque has been unveiled at Corrour on the 19th of March. It commemorates the presentation of an award by the Railway Heritage Trust to Network ...
John Yellowlees 19/03/2018
Corrour station, near the summit of the line, looking back south from the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at Fort ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
The evening Caledonian Sleeper arrives at Corrour in July 2019. The train became double-hauled after (then) recent difficulties.
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John Yellowlees 01/07/2019
4 of 39 images. more


This occupational level crossing is immediately to the north of Corrour station, just south of Corrour Summit.
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Corrour Summit, 1,350 ft, is immediately north west of Corrour station.
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B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer over the Alt Luib Ruairidh ...
John Gray 15/05/2019
On a dreich, foggy, afternoon, Black 5 No.44871 races over Corrour Summit
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John Gray 29/10/2016
B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound 'Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer', nearing Corrour Summit. ...
John Gray 15/05/2019
The last day of the Steam Dreams railtour. B1 No.61306 Mayflower and 37685 Loch Arkaig, climb the long gradient up to Corrour, with the southbound ...
John Gray 15/05/2019
4 of 18 images. more




This viaduct is about half way along Loch Treig, it is the largest of the many bridges (and culverts) carrying the line over streams in the area. The line crosses the Allt Coire Mheadhoin / Allt an Dubh-chamais Mòr here. (Just to the north it crosses the Allt an Dubh-chamais Beag.)
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Derailed 66734 by the lineside at a remote (and cold) location above Loch Treig in February 2013. The locomotive had derailed due to a landslip back ...
Ewan Crawford 11/02/2013
A Network Rail landrover heads south alongside Loch Treig in 2013. This may have been to check on the condition of the derailed locomotive, about a ...
Ewan Crawford 12/02/2013
Black 5 plus Standard 5 climbing to Corrour by Loch Treig in May 1961. [Ref query 4203] ...
David Stewart 22/05/1961
The site of the landslip near Tulloch which led to the derailment on 28 June. View on 4 July looking down towards the railway with Loch Treig beyond. ...
John Gray 04/07/2012
4 of 6 images. more




The Ordnance Survey map of 1899 shows a signal box on the west side of the line at a location near (a little to the south of) today's Loch Treig Tunnel but on the original, now flooded, course of the line. The box is shown having signals to both north and south. To its south a lineside cottage is shown.
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This single platform halt was at the north end of Loch Treig. It had a single platform of 220ft on the esst side of the line. It was a workman's halt built during the construction of Laggan Dam, just to the east, and associated tunnels. The dam is part of the scheme which provides the head of water for electricity generation at the Lochaber Aluminium Works in Fort William. There was a ...

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Southbound sleeper approaching Fersit. ...
Ewan Crawford 28/05/2006
With 67s set to replace 37s on the Fort William - London sleeper the drivers are probably taken aback by their elevation to super-star status as ...
Ewan Crawford 28/05/2006
2 of 2 images.


This siding predated the construction of the Lochaber Aluminium Works and the Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway. Its original purpose was to serve a gravel pit, located on the east side of the line and served from the north. There was a railway cottage directly east of the line, with the siding to its east.
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This single track girder viaduct is south east of Tulloch station, the railway crossing over the River Spean downstream of Laggan Dam. It is a three span viaduct on a gentle curve, approximately 170 ft long. The middle girder is the largest, a lattice.
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BR Scottish Region's 'Grand Tour no.7' was a day excursion from Edinburgh to Mallaig, and the train is seen here as it turns south from Tulloch for ...
Robin McGregor 05/04/1969
61994 The Great Marquess coasts down the grade to Tulloch with The West Highlander on Saturday 26/09/09. ...
John Gray 26/09/2009
With grey clouds gathering 61994 crosses the viaduct just south of Tulloch station with The West Highlander on Saturday 26/09/09 ...
John Gray 26/09/2009
Crossing Spean Viaduct near Tulloch. ...
Paul D Kerr 04/09/2006
4 of 5 images. more


This is a two platform station typical of the northern portion of the West Highland Railway. The main building, on the up (southbound) platform is Swiss Chalet in style. The north side of the building has been modified with the addition of three small wings - two being extensions of gables and the third being wholly new.
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37402 arrives at Tulloch, with a Glasgow to Fort William service, on 21st July 1988. ...
Roger Geach 21/07/1988
Passing in the snow, 5379 is passing the overnight sleeper at Tulloch. ...
Doug Nicholls 18/04/1974
Tulloch station, looking back south from the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at Fort William, calling on Wednesday, ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
New cycle hoops installed at Tulloch. ...
First ScotRail //2006
4 of 31 images. more


K1 2-6-0 2005 climbs out of Monessie Gorge with 'The Lochaber' railtour on 14 November 1987.
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Bill Roberton 14/11/1987
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This was a two platform station, now reduced to one platform with the loss of the southbound line (the 'up' loop) in 1964. The southbound (up) platform, disused, remains and the site of the station building and goods yard has been built over. These houses are built close to the platform.
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The ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at Fort William, calling at Roy Bridge on Wednesday, 7th September 2022. This ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
37410 is seen heading west below Cille Choirill church and graveyard with the 1223 Mossend to Corpach. It will shortly arrive at Roy Bridge. ...
Roger Geach 21/07/1988
37428 with the sleeper runs westbound alongside Monessie Gorge in 1995. ...
Ewan Crawford //1995
Looking west over Roy Bridge station at night ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 13 images. more












This is a two platform station with a passing loop. The main station building on the eastbound platform (for the south), altered at the road side, remains standing. There is a disused signal box ('C' listed) dating from 1949.
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Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway
A solitary passenger leaves the ex-12.22 service from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, reversing at Fort William, at Spean Bridge on Wednesday, 7th ...
David Bosher 07/09/2022
A Mallaig service passes a freight at Spean Bridge in September 1997. ...
David Panton 29/09/1997
Looking west a Spean Bridge as a 37 takes empty ballast wagons towards Fort William. The curved end of the platform is a reminder of the branch to ...
Bill Roberton //1984
Looking east at Spean Bridge in 1984, as a 37 passes through hauling empty ballast wagons. ...
Bill Roberton //1984
4 of 34 images. more


This ballast siding was installed in the late period of construction of the line. It was located between Fort William and Spean Bridge at Auchindaul (or Auchnadaull as per contemporary Ordnance Survey maps).
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Ballast Sidings
37 427 nears Fort William with the sleeper from London Euston in April 2003. Seen from the Aonach Mor access road (west of the former ballast ...
Bill Roberton /04/2003
1 of 1 images.


This goods siding was on the west side of the railway at Torlundy, east of Fort William. The siding was approached from the north or Glasgow direction, the approach from the north being due to the railway from Glasgow entering Fort William from the north east after passing Spean Bridge. There was a short loading bank and the line is crossed by a minor road bridge immediately to the south.
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This is a occupational level crossing for Inverlochy Farm.
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This distillery is in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. The distillery was formerly railway served.
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Rail Served Distilleries


This ground frame is north east of Fort William Junction on the route south to Glasgow. It provides access to the aluminium smelter, Lochaber Aluminium Works, by Fort William which is on the south side of the line. The sidings are entered from the west. A short dead end siding provides provides protection against runaway wagons for the line.
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37405 approaching Fort William with the overnight sleeper service from Euston along with the motorail vans at the front of the train and the coaching ...
Roger Geach 14/09/1990
The first train of the day for Glasgow leaves Fort William. 156456, which started its journey at Mallaig, is passing the junction with the line into ...
Mark Bartlett 19/05/2010
Before running on to Fort William Junction a freight from Glasgow reverses into the Lochaber Aluminium Smelter with bauxite. The oil tanks are just ...
Ewan Crawford 28/09/2009
3 of 3 images.


This is the junction between the Glasgow to Fort William line and the Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway) (originally the Banavie Branch of the West Highland Railway).
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44767 passes the fuel depot sidings at Fort William in 1984, heading for Tom na Faire depot when the signal clears.
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Bill Roberton //1984
Signals preserved outside a railway social club at Fort William. ...
John Yellowlees 08/05/2016
I happened to take a picture of the morning Jacobite almost exactly 46 years on in the very same location as the query image see image 54302, ...
Mark Wringe 06/07/2016
Empty coaching stock en route to the station at Fort William Junction. ...
Ewan Crawford 28/05/2006
4 of 13 images. more


This disused double track bridge crosses the West Highland Railway directly west of Fort William Junction (and east of the Fort William Oil Sidings). It carried the Lower Works Railway portion of the Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway. Only one track was laid over the bridge, what would have been the southern of the two tracks.
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Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway
Fort William Junction signalbox, as seen from the formation of the Lochaber narrow guage railway which crossed the line at this point on the old ...
Mark Bartlett 18/05/2010
The surviving Lochaber narrow-gauge railway bridge spanning the West Highland Line shortly after it leaves Fort William station. View is towards Loch ...
John Furnevel 30/09/2005
The old bridge which formerly carried the Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway over the West Highland line in September 2005. Fort William Junction is just ...
John Furnevel 30/09/2005
The former Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway crossing over the West Highland Railway at Fort William Junction. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 4 images.


This distillery was just east of central Fort William, on the north bank of the River Ness. It was served by a short siding from the West Highland Railway. The siding was on the south side of the line and served from the west (by the Nevis Viaduct).
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Rail Served Distilleries


This is a single track, single span, lattice girder viaduct crossing the River Nevis. It carries the West Highland Railway. It is between Fort William station and Fort William Junction.
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A train photographed shortly after leaving Fort William in the summer of 1970. It has just crossed the River Nevis and is about to pass below the ...
John Furnevel 14/07/1970
1 of 1 images.


This distillery predated the opening of the West Highland Railway. It was located on the north side of the line on the west bank of the River Nevis near the Fort William town centre. The distillery closed around 1908 but remained in use as warehousing for Ben Nevis Distillery. There was a series of buildings.
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Rail Served Distilleries


This is a terminus with an island platform. The station replaced Fort William [1st] when the line was cut back in 1975. The platform is canopied at the buffer end.
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LNER Thompson / Peppercorn K1 2-6-0 62005 stands ready to depart Fort William, with the morning Jacobite service to Mallaig on 20 June 2012. The K1 ...
David Pesterfield 20/06/2012
Stanier Black 5 Class 4-6-0 no. 45212, named after Sir William Stanier (1876-1965), at Fort William station waiting to depart with the 12.50 service ...
David Bosher 08/09/2022
66746 bringing the empty stock of a chartered excursion into Fort William, at lunchtime on Thursday, 8th September 2022. ...
David Bosher 08/09/2022
NBR 0-6-0 673 'Maude' at Fort William in 1984, ready for a run out to Mallaig. There were problems with time keeping and lineside fires caused further ...
Peter Todd 28/05/1984
4 of 66 images. more


This shed was built within the fortifications at Fort William. The loading bank was to the south and south of that the line ran, via a number of loops, to the station.
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The skeletal remains of Fort William engine shed, seen from a passing train in 1973. ...
Bill Roberton //1973
J36 0-6-0 no 65313 on Fort William shed in September 1961. Note the rear of the beaver-tail observation car on the far left of the picture. ...
David Stewart 07/09/1961
10 ton Shettleston crane on service girders installing the main girders
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Douglas Blades Collection //1948
Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73077 shortly after arrival on Fort William shed in September 1961. The Eastfield locomotive had hauled the 10.5am train ...
David Stewart 06/09/1961
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This goods yard was east of Fort William [1st], terminus of the West Highland Railway. Today it is, approximately, the site of Fort William station.
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This was a three platform terminus alongside the seafront and steamer pier in Fort William. It was replaced by Fort William when the line was cut back in 1975. Nothing remains of the station and the site is now a dual carriageway. It is ironic that the townsfolk were disappointed the railway separated the town from the beach and now a substantial road does.
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5MT 44956 departing Fort William on 0931 to Glasgow, 21/03/1961. ...
David Murray-Smith 21/03/1961
Looking towards the site of the original Fort William station, closed and demolished in 1975 to make way for the A82 road to act as a diversion for ...
David Bosher 09/09/2022
The Fort William signalman returns the signal to 'On' as a departing train passes the box in 1974. The town's by-pass road runs through this spot ...
Bill Roberton //1974
Class K1 62012 approaches the original Fort William station alongside the sea with a train from Mallaig in 1961. ...
David Murray-Smith 21/03/1961
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The West Highland Railway terminated alongside the southern of the two town piers in Fort William, the line running south west from the station alongside Loch Linnhe to reach the pier where there was a loop.
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Grand Scottish Tour No.19 stands at Fort William after arrival from Edinburgh on 4 May 1974. All would be swept away the following year. ...
Bill Roberton 04/05/1974
A summer 1971 view of the cramped headshunt from Fort William station - until its relocation in 1975 to make way for the road builders. An imaginative ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1971
2 of 2 images.





Fort William to Banavie

This branch ran from Banavie Junction [1st] in Fort William (and since renamed twice) to Banavie Pier on the Caledonian Canal.

This is the junction between the Glasgow to Fort William line and the Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway) (originally the Banavie Branch of the West Highland Railway).
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44767 passes the fuel depot sidings at Fort William in 1984, heading for Tom na Faire depot when the signal clears.
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Bill Roberton //1984
Signals preserved outside a railway social club at Fort William. ...
John Yellowlees 08/05/2016
I happened to take a picture of the morning Jacobite almost exactly 46 years on in the very same location as the query image see image 54302, ...
Mark Wringe 06/07/2016
Empty coaching stock en route to the station at Fort William Junction. ...
Ewan Crawford 28/05/2006
4 of 13 images. more


A pair of sidings in Fort William are served from the loop on the Mallaig line at Fort William Junction. These oil sidings have seen irregular use with the flow from Grangemouth New Oil Terminal starting and ceasing several times. At present, 2018, the sidings are not used, oil travels by road. ...

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Living down south, some of the Scottish based Class 20s were a nightmare to see as they worked all over, including the out of the way locations. Thus ...
Roger Geach 21/07/1988
Caledonian Sleeper 73970 stabled in the oil depot sidings at Fort William. In the background are the home signals for the junction and the bridge ...
Bill Roberton 20/10/2017
The empty Jacobite heads to Fort William at the start of the day ... in the rain. ...
Ewan Crawford 28/05/2006
66099 waits for the Fort William Junction bracket signal to clear before moving forward to Lochaber. The short train of tanks has been drawn out of ...
Mark Bartlett 18/05/2010
4 of 9 images. more


This yard consists of several looped and single ended sidings on the Mallaig route at Fort William Junction running alongside the loop. There is a turntable and it gives access to Tom-na-Faire Depot. Sometimes referred to as Inverlochy Yard.
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In glorious sunshine, Black 5 No.44871 leads 'The Jacobite' away from Fort William Junction on the way to Mallaig. 37518 'An Gearasdan' is on the rear ...
John Gray 08/06/2023
An aerial view of the junction, yard and turntable at Fort William. ...
John Gray 30/06/2021
66103 goes to pick up its load of alumnium slabs and empty bauxite wagons to take to Mossend. ...
Ewan Crawford //
Preparing for the journey south in the Fort William yard. ...
Ewan Crawford //
4 of 9 images. more


This footbridge was erected by the British Aluminium Company to give access from the housing at Inverlochy (west) to the Lochaber Aluminium Works (east) over the Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway).
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Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway


This yard and locomotive shed replaced the original Fort William Shed when the line was cut back to the present Fort William station.
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Black 5 4-6-0 45407 passing Tom na Faire depot, Fort William, with the morning Jacobite service to Mallaig on 30th June 2021. ...
John Gray 30/06/2021
A 1973 view from a passing train of a very new Tom-na-Faire depot.
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Bill Roberton //1973
Steam engine and a mere 37 at Tom na Faire. Access by kind permission of British Rail. ...
Ewan Crawford //
48151 on shed at Fort William's Tom-na-Faire depot in 1995. ...
Ewan Crawford //1995
4 of 26 images. more


This is a single track girder viaduct with four 80ft girders crossing the River Lochy just outside Fort William. A footbridge on the side of the viaduct connects Lochyside and Caol on the north bank to Inverlochy on the south bank. The stone piers are castellated to match the nearby Inverlochy Castle.
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Black 5 No.45407 hauls 'The Jacobite' over the Lochy Viaduct on the way to Mallaig on 8th September 2022. The remains of the 13th century Inverlochy ...
John Gray 08/09/2022
Black 5 5305 crosses the Lochy Viaduct in 1990 with The Jacobite. Ben Nevis provides the backdrop and Inverlochy Castle is behind the locomotive. ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
Following a major overhaul at Carnforth, K1 No.62005 is back hauling 'The Jacobite' and is pictured crossing the viaduct over the River Lochy ...
John Gray /06/2012
3 of 3 images.


The signal box here controlled the junction between the Banavie [1st] branch (closed) and the West Highland's extension west to Mallaig (open). Both lines were single track.
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Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Banavie Junction looking to Fort William with the Mallaig line through the trees on the right and the former Banavie Pier branch in the foreground ...
Ewan Crawford 27/04/2013
1 of 1 images.


This station was the terminus of a short branch built by the West Highland Railway to the Caledonian Canal at Banavie. The branch allowed interchange with the steamers operating on the route to Inverness. The station was intentionally above Neptune's Staircase to minimise the number of locks in the onward journey to Inverness, Muirtown Basin.
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The former Banavie Pier station, seen from the canal bank in September 2005, with Ben Nevis forming the backdrop. ...
John Furnevel 28/09/2005
1 of 1 images.





Crianlarich Curve

This junction is immediately north of Crianlarich station. Here the the lines to Oban and Fort William separate. The junction faces south. Just to the north, on the Fort William route, is the Glenbruar Viaduct.
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The 'Mexican Bean' BRC&W 104 325 approaches Crianlarich in 1985 with a service from Oban. The West Highland Railway for Fort William diverges to the ...
Bill Roberton //1985
GBRf 66736 draws away from Crianlarich with the North Blyth - Fort William Alcan service on 19 October 2017. The Oban line diverges to the left. ...
Bill Roberton 19/10/2017
Ex Oban train approaching Crianlarich station on the short spur which links the West Highland to the Callander and Oban. Ahead the narrow bridge where ...
Beth Crawford 05/05/2017
37 403 approaching Crianlarich Junction. It is on the Crianlarich Lower Junction - Crianlarich Junction section heading south, immediately behind is ...
Ewan Crawford //1990
4 of 12 images. more


This junction remains open - just. A short somewhat grassy siding runs east.
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Callander and Oban Railway
At Lower Crianlarich Junction the former C&O remains as a grassy siding, at least not much worse than 10 years ago see image 9831. The name of the ...
Ewan Crawford 29/07/2016
1 of 1 images.





Lochaber Smelter

This ground frame is north east of Fort William Junction on the route south to Glasgow. It provides access to the aluminium smelter, Lochaber Aluminium Works, by Fort William which is on the south side of the line. The sidings are entered from the west. A short dead end siding provides provides protection against runaway wagons for the line.
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37405 approaching Fort William with the overnight sleeper service from Euston along with the motorail vans at the front of the train and the coaching ...
Roger Geach 14/09/1990
The first train of the day for Glasgow leaves Fort William. 156456, which started its journey at Mallaig, is passing the junction with the line into ...
Mark Bartlett 19/05/2010
Before running on to Fort William Junction a freight from Glasgow reverses into the Lochaber Aluminium Smelter with bauxite. The oil tanks are just ...
Ewan Crawford 28/09/2009
3 of 3 images.


This is the only remaining aluminium smelter in the United Kingdom. This smelter was built by contractors Balfour, Beatty & Co Ltd to the east of Fort William, opening in 1929.
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Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway
A Class 20 propels a train of open wagons into Lochaber aluminium works, near Fort William, in 1986.
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Bill Roberton //1986
Bauxite at the Lochaber Smelter. ...
Ewan Crawford //
The out of use cable hauled incline at the Fort William smelter for drawing supplies up to the top of the pipeline. ...
Ewan Crawford //
3 of 3 images.






Books

All Stations to Mallaig!: West Highland Line Since Nationalisation
Argyll and the Highlands Last Days of Steam

Argyll and the Highlands' Lost Railways

Ben Nevis and Fort William, The Mamores and The Grey Corries, Kinlochleven and Spean Bridge (OS Explorer Map)

History of the Railways of the Scottish Highlands: West Highland Railway v. 1

History of the Railways of the Scottish Highlands: West Highland Railway v. 1

Iron Road to the Isles: A Travellers and Tourist Guide to the West Highland Lines

Iron Roads to the Isles: A Travellers and Tourists Souvenir Guide to the West Highland Lines

Mountain Moor and Loch on the Route of the West Highland Railway

On West Highland Lines

Railway World Special: West Highland Lines

Rannan Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean =: The West Highland Line

Road To The Isles Dvd: Part One The West Highland Line Between Crianlarich to Fort William, From the Drivers Cab Of A Class 37, With The Caledonian Sleeper
The Mallaig Railway: The West Highland Extension 1897-1901 (RCAHMS Broadsheet)
The New Railway: The Earliest Years of the West Highland Line

The Story of the West Highland

The Story of the West Highland: The 1940s LNER Guide to the Line

The West Highland Railway

The West Highland Railway (Railways of the Scottish Highlands)

The West Highland Railway 120 Years

Trossachs and West Highlands: Exploring the Lost Railways (Local History Series)

Victorian Travel on the West Highland Line: By Mountain, Moor and Loch in 1894

Walks from the West Highland Railway (Cicerone Guide)

West Highland Line: Great Railway Journeys Through Time

West Highland Railway
West Highland Railway (History of the Railways of the Scottish Highlands v. 1): West Highland Railway v. 1
West Highland Railway: Plans, Poltics and People