The Callander and Oban Railway

[rogerfarnworth]

The Callander and Oban Railway is a historic railway, part of which is abandoned and part still in use.

In July 1923, The Railway Magazine carried an article about the Callander & Oban Railway (C&O) written by G.F. Gairns.

Gairns commented that the C&O constituted the third of the three great mountain lines: the Perth-Inverness line of the Highland Railway; the West Highland Line of the North British Railway; and the Callander & Oban Railway (including the Ballachulish Extension).

The Callander and Oban Railway

In July 1923, The Railway Magazine carried an article about the Callander & Oban Railway (C&O) written by G.F. Gairns. [1] Gairns commented that the C&O constituted the third of the thr…

rogerfarnworth.com

 

[matchmaker]

The Callander and Oban Railway is a historic railway, part of which is abandoned and part still in use.

In July 1923, The Railway Magazine carried an article about the Callander & Oban Railway (C&O) written by G.F. Gairns.

Gairns commented that the C&O constituted the third of the three great mountain lines: the Perth-Inverness line of the Highland Railway; the West Highland Line of the North British Railway; and the Callander & Oban Railway (including the Ballachulish Extension).

The Callander and Oban Railway

In July 1923, The Railway Magazine carried an article about the Callander & Oban Railway (C&O) written by G.F. Gairns. [1] Gairns commented that the C&O constituted the third of the thr…

rogerfarnworth.com

A very interesting article, Roger, many thanks. It is a railway I have long been interested in, having lived in Callander for a period. My late aunts cottage in Callander (dating from the early 1960s) was originally roofed with slates from the old goods station. My model railway club is currently constructing an "N" gauge of Connel station as it was in 1960. What is not (I think) mentioned is that originally Connel was supposed to have a direct link from the Oban line west of the station on to the bridge, but this was never constructed, although I believe some traces of the earthworks could be seen.

An interesting link to the signalling of the railway Oban line signalling

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Thank you for your kind words, Matchmaker.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

A very interesting article, Roger, many thanks. It is a railway I have long been interested in

Ditto. The route passes through one's ancestral Clan territory. There is also a book that covers 'The Railways of Upper Strathearn' (Crieff-Balquhidder), Byrom/Oakwood Press/2004 for further reading, which itself lists many other sources.

 

[Railsigns]

What is not (I think) mentioned is that originally Connel was supposed to have a direct link from the Oban line west of the station on to the bridge, but this was never constructed, although I believe some traces of the earthworks could be seen.

An embankment and a bridge (pictured below) were built. The embankment stopped just short of the bridge, which was only demolished in 2010. The 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map states "Dismantled Railway" on the route of the curve, despite no rails having been laid.

Connel Ferry station once had four platforms, including a bay (the article says three).

 

[matchmaker]

An embankment and a bridge (pictured below) were built. The embankment stopped just short of the bridge, which was only demolished in 2010. The 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map states "Dismantled Railway" on the route of the curve, despite no rails having been laid.

Connel Ferry station once had four platforms, including a bay (the article says three).

View attachment 175727

Yes, the "Dock line", west facing, signalled for passenger trains, but removed in 1953 according to the website I linked above. The east facing bay wasn't signalled for passenger trains but lasted until 1965 and will be on our layout. We are not modelling the Connel Bridge, in case anyone wonders... Our N gauge supremo wants working signals. I've told him the gantry is his responsibility!