RIP (?) Isle of Mull Railway

[Bittern]

Press Release.
Issued by The Mull & west Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Company Ltd.

27th October 2010

It is with some regret that the Board of Directors of the Mull & West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Company Ltd announce today the suspension of services on the Isle of Mull Railway.

Despite the extension of the company’s lease by two years, future operations have been frustrated by the proposed sale of the Torosay Castle Estate.
The closure of the castle to the public negates the purpose of the line in carrying passengers and complicates the implementation of any meaningful timetable for 2011.

Hopes of an early sale of the castle to an enthusiastic party who wished the railway to remain have, the Board understand, not been successful.

Started in 1976 and eventually opened in 1981 closure of the railway will be felt by local traders, hotels and the ferry company that serve the island.
The Directors are now pressing ahead with investigation of sale or possible alternative sites for their equipment.

A further announcement will be made shortly.

Damn it! I was hoping to travel on it next year! I wonder what'll happen to the locos now.

 

[scotsman]

that's a right shame. Mull needs all the business it can get, the economy is very tourist based round there. Any chance of a community buy-out?

 

[4SRKT]

Had a nice spin on this in 1987. An almost forgotten episode on a Freedom of Scotland week. Very sad.

 

[Ladyoftheisles]

Great shame, I am still here because of this lovely little railway, goodnight LOTI, Victoria, Glen and Frances. Wherever you go I would love to follow....

 

[tivoli]

Travelled on this litttle railway last year, not the most comfortable ride, but a shame all the same. Very surprised at the plan to sell Torosay Castle which appears to be linked to this, no indication on the tour led by the owner that this would happen.