Isle of Mull Railway
Encyclopedia
Rail gauge
Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers...
line, 1+1/4 mi long, which ran from the ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
terminal at Craignure
Craignure
Craignure is a village and the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.The village is located around Craignure Bay, on Mull's east coast. It has a population of roughly 200 people....
to Torosay Castle
Torosay castle
Torosay Castle is a large house situated 1½ miles south of Craignure on the Isle of Mull, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.It was designed by architect David Bryce for John Campbell of Possil in the Scottish Baronial style, and completed in 1858...
, on the Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
in the Scottish Inner Hebrides
Inner Hebrides
The Inner Hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which enjoy a mild oceanic climate. There are 36 inhabited islands and a further 43 uninhabited Inner Hebrides with an area greater than...
. Originally it was known as the Mull and West Highland Railway. The line opened in 1983 and closed in October 2010. A limited service operated over the 2011 Easter holiday until 2 May 2011. It is now shown as operating from Friday 27 May 2011 until Thursday 1 September 2011. Its website now says trains will run in August then it will close. The line was marketed as Scotland's original island passenger railway.
History
In 1975, the then-owner of Torosay Castle, David JamesDavid James (politician)
David Pelham James, MBE, DSC was a British Conservative Party politician, author and adventurer. Eldest son of Sir Archibald James and Bridget James Miller...
decided to open the house and gardens to the public. Local businessman Graham Ellis, a railway enthusiast, suggested that a narrow-gauge railway might be the ideal way to transport visitors from the ferry terminal 1+1/2 mi away, whilst also becoming a tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
in its own right.
Although Planning permission
Planning permission
Planning permission or planning consent is the permission required in the United Kingdom in order to be allowed to build on land, or change the use of land or buildings. Within the UK the occupier of any land or building will need title to that land or building , but will also need "planning...
was granted in 1975, it was not until April 1982 that construction got under way. The line was completed in May 1983, with the first test run taking place on the 22nd of that month. The first experimental service started on 18 August 1983 with the official opening of the line taking place on 22 June the following year. Up to 2010, the line had carried over 25,000 passengers per annum.
In 2010, Torosay Castle was advertised for sale. Due to uncertainty over the future of the estate, the Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Company announced the formal closure of the line on 28 October 2010 but see above. The company stated that it intended to investigate alternative sites that the railway could be relocated to.
On 4 December 2010, a special "last day" was held. Ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast...
supported the last day by offering a special ticket deal to Mull, and issued commemorative posters. The final train was driven by the line's founders, Martin Eastwood and Graham Ellis. It was double headed by Lady of the Lake and Victoria, with Lady of the Lake bearing the Balamory Express headboard
Headboard (train)
A Train headboard is a board hung on the front of a locomotive. Generally it can depict a named train, although other purposes also exist. Headboards are distinct from locomotive nameplates....
. Every carriage on the line was in the train.
The closure of the Isle of Mull Railway was described by the local Federation of Small Businesses tourism representative as "a significant blow to the tourist economy, not just on the Isle of Mull but the mainland too". Chris James, the owner of Torosay Castle, criticised the operators of the Isle of Mull Railway in a Scottish newspaper. He claimed that he had "let them play trains for 30 years free of charge".
In 2011, it was reported that the sale of Torosay Castle was not to go ahead. The castle was to open on 45 days in 2011, against 245 previously. The reduction in opening days meant that it would not be viable to operate the railway, although the track remained in situ
In situ
In situ is a Latin phrase which translated literally as 'In position'. It is used in many different contexts.-Aerospace:In the aerospace industry, equipment on board aircraft must be tested in situ, or in place, to confirm everything functions properly as a system. Individually, each piece may...
as of March. Locomotives Glen Audlyn and Lady of the Isles were reported to have been removed to the mainland for safe keeping.
A limited service operated over the Easter 2011 holiday and again from Friday 27 May 2011 until Thursday 1 September 2011. The final trains ran on 1st of September 2011 hauled by the steam locomotive Victoria. Victoria was removed on the 8th of September to the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway
Rudyard Lake Steam Railway
The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway is a minimum gauge railway and the third railway of any gauge to run along the side of Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire. The railway runs for on the track bed of an old standard gauge North Staffordshire Railway line. After the NSR line closed down, a small narrow gauge...
in Staffordshire where she was used at their steam gala and she remains there in storage and will be used from time to time to keep her in working order. A possible move of the whole railway to Balloch
Balloch
- Places :* Balloch, Highland, Scotland, , is a residential village located 4 miles east of the city of Inverness, Scotland.* Balloch, New Hampshire, United States...
on Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
was reported in July 2011. The proposal is to lay the line on the trackbed of the former North Clyde Line
North Clyde Line
The North Clyde Line is a suburban railway in West Central Scotland. The route is operated by First ScotRail, on behalf of Transport Scotland...
between the former and stations, which closed in 1986. The line will connect with the pier from where the paddle steamer
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
will operate when she returns to service in 2013. As of July 2011, discussions are taking place between the owners of the Isle of Mull Railway and Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is a sponsored non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government which encourages economic development, enterprise, innovation and investment in business...
about the plans to relocate the railway. A formal feasibility study is to be undertaken. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills, the Trossachs being the most famous...
, the Loch Lomond Shores complex and West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs, West Dunbartonshire also borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East...
Council have been consulted about the proposal, with the response described at "very encouraging".
Stations
- CraignureCraignure railway station-External links:*...
56.469710°N 5.694774°W - Torosay CastleTorosay railway station-External links:*...
56.457542°N 5.680599°W
Locomotives
There were six locomotives on the line.
Steam
- Lady of the Isles 2-6-4T2-6-4Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, a 2-6-4 locomotive has two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and four trailing wheels...
built 1981. Was used on the Suffolk Miniature Railway at KessinglandKessinglandKessingland is a large village in the Waveney District of the English county of Suffolk. It is located around south of Lowestoft. It is of interest to archaeologists as Palaeolithic and Neolithic implements have been found here; the remains of an ancient forest lie buried on the seabed.There has...
, Suffolk before entering service on the Isle of Mull Railway. This engine was inspired by another Roger Marsh locomotive, Trevithick now on the Royal Victoria RailwayRoyal Victoria RailwayThe Royal Victoria Railway runs for around through Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, Hampshire, England, with views of Southampton Water...
. - Victoria 2-6-2T2-6-2Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
built by Mouse Boiler Works in 1993. Based on BaldwinBaldwin Locomotive WorksThe Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
class NA locomotives used on the Puffing Billy Railway, Australia. - Waverley 4-4-24-4-2 (locomotive)Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
built by David Curwen in 1948. Was originally named Black Prince and originally used on a railway in Weymouth, Dorset. Waverley has been based at Rudyard Lake Steam RailwayRudyard Lake Steam RailwayThe Rudyard Lake Steam Railway is a minimum gauge railway and the third railway of any gauge to run along the side of Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire. The railway runs for on the track bed of an old standard gauge North Staffordshire Railway line. After the NSR line closed down, a small narrow gauge...
, in Staffordshire since 2003, on permanent loan, and has been repainted apple green
Diesel
- Frances, BB wheel arrangement. built 1999 by Mouse Boiler Works. Powered by a Perkins 1000 diesel engineDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, hydraulic transmission. Weight 2 tonnes. - Glen Audlyn, BB wheel arrangement. Built on Mull by Bob Davies in 1986. Powered by a Perkins 4108 diesel engine from a CommerCommerCommer became known in later years as a maker of vans for the British Post Office—particularly the Commer FC which was introduced in 1960 with many body styles, including a 1500 cc van. After engine and interior upgrades it was renamed the PB in 1967 and the SpaceVan in 1974...
van. Hydraulic transmission. - The Green Diesel, formerly operated at the Great Central RailwayGreat Central Railway (preserved)The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway split into two adjacent sections, one in Leicestershire and the other Nottinghamshire.The Leicestershire section is currently Britain's only double track mainline heritage railway, with of working double track, period signalling, locomotives and...
, LoughboroughLoughboroughLoughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
. Based on a Class 26British Rail Class 26The British Rail Class 26 diesel locomotives, also known as the BRCW Type 2, were built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company at Smethwick in 1958-59. Forty seven examples were built, and the last were withdrawn from service in 1993...
locomotive. Powered by a Morris MinorMorris MinorThe Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.3 million were manufactured between 1948 and 1971...
engineBMC A-Series engineAustin Motor Company's small straight-4 automobile engine, the A-Series, is one of the most common in the world. Launched in 1951 with the Austin A30, production lasted until 2000 in the Mini. It used a cast-iron block and cylinder head, and a steel crankshaft with 3 main bearings...
with mechanical transmission giving four forward and four reverse gears.
Television
The Isle of Mull Railway featured in an episode of the second series of the CBeebiesCBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
TV programme Balamory
Balamory
Balamory was a live action television series on British television for pre-school children, based around the fictional small island community of Balamory in Scotland. It was produced between 2002 and 2005 by BBC Scotland, with 254 episodes made...
. Filming took place in the autumn of 2002.