Mull & West Highland Railway moves to Balloch
"Lady of the Isles" at Torosay
Picture: © Copyright Andrew McIntosh and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
The late Mull & West Highland Railway ceased operating on the 1st of September after 28 years of service! The 10 1/4 inch gauge line was built to serve Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull, running from the Ferry Terminal at Craignure a distance of 1 1/4 miles.
At the end of 2010, the Castle was sold and the new owners decided to close it to the public, this would have had a severe effect on passenger numbers at Mull Rail and therefore it was decided to close the railway too! One of the steam locomotives, 2-6-2T Lady of Isles has been moved to Sheffield Boiler works, this loco being privately owned. Most of the rolling stock I believe has been retained along with a diesel loco and Baldwin style steam loco, 2-6-2T Victoria.
One loco was sold, a part built Baldwin style 2-6-2T similar to Victoria. This has been moved to Atlantic Engineering design in Trowbridge for completion!
The new site proposed is at Balloch, on the shores of Loch Lomond. The would run from Balloch Railway station in the town to the Loch Lomond Shores shopping complex. With beckoning return to service of Maid of the Loch, the 1953 built Paddle Steamer undergoing restoration at Balloch Pier. The railway would provide a transport link with this lovely old Paddle Steamer as well as the restored Balloch slipway steam winch.
Planning has been approved, but the company still need to raise in excess of £1million before construction can start.
Balloch Rail station
Picture: © Copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
2-6-2T "Victoria" at Craignure
Picture: © Copyright Allister Combe and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good evening. Please could you correct the information Mull rail. The engine Lady of the Isles has not been sold. But is the personal property of one of the Directors of Mull Rail and is a present at Mouse Boiler Works in Sheffield. Mull Rail is not a Society. Is a railway company that exists to make a profit for the Directors. One of the Items of stock has been sold. This is the part completed second Baldwin Type locomotive and will shortly move to Altantic Engineering Design of Trowbridge Wiltshire for completion. Whilst. Planning permission has been granted at Balloch the railway will not open for the imediate future. As in exess of 1 million pounds has been raised. If there are any potential investors out there we would be interested in hearing from you. Many thanks for doing the corrections. David Clarke. Engineer. Mull Rail.
I was asked to have a look at your website and in particular your piece on the Mull Railway. I was responsible for building the railway in the first place and retired as a director in Jan 2006. To the best of my knowledge and belief no planning consent exists at the moment in Balloch for various reasons which has so far prevented any movement of stock , The part built locomotive referred to by David still remains in Sheffield with my loco Lady of the Isles. which is in a dismantled state requiring a new boiler. i type this as aprivate individual and not an officer of the Company