Watten

Location type

Station

Name and dates

Watten (1874-1960)

Station code: National Rail
Opened on the Sutherland and Caithness Railway.

Description

This was a two platform station on the Far North Line with a passing loop. The former westbound track remains, the eastbound one having been lifted. Both platforms remain, out of use. The former station building is similar to that at Georgemas Junction and is now a house. A level crossing exists to the west of the former station.

There was a footbridge at the west end of the platforms.

The goods yard was a single siding on the north side, east of the station, serving a goods shed which was east of the station building.

The original signal box opened with the station in 1874 and was replaced with north and south boxes in 1894. The north box was at the east end of the station, on the south side of the line opposite the goods yard turn out. The south box was at the west end, by the level crossing, at the west end of the southbound platform. The west end of the loop was west of the level crossing.

The station closed in 1960. The boxes and loop closed in 1966. The line remains open.

Loch Watten is south of the line west of the former station. The village of Watten is a mile to the south.

Tags

Station

External links

Canmore site record
NLS Collection OS map of 1892-1914
NLS Collection OS map of 1944-67



Chronology Dates

28/07/1874Sutherland and Caithness Railway
Line opened from Helmsdale (Duke of Sutherland's Railway) to Wick with stations at Salzcraggie (Private), Kildonan, Kinbrace, Forsinard, Altnabreac, Scotscalder, Halkirk, Georgemas Junction, Hoy, Thurso, Bower, Watten, Bilbster and Wick.
13/06/1960Sutherland and Caithness Railway
Halkirk, Bower, Watten and Bilbster closed.
  /10/2006Inverness and Ross-shire Railway Dingwall and Skye Railway Sutherland Railway Duke of Sutherland's Railway Sutherland and Caithness Railway
Landslips and flood damage close the Far North and Kyle lines between Dingwall and Garve, at Helmsdale, at Ardgay and Watten .

News items

12/07/2023Watten man's fight to save life of passenger 'Why don't they have defibrillators on the train?' [John O Groat Journal]
09/03/2022Gale force winds cause damage at Watten level crossing emergency procedure in place [John O Groat Journal]

Books


Highland Survivor