Loch Awe railway station is a railway station serving the village of Lochawe, on the northern bank of Loch Awe, in western Scotland. This station is on the Oban branch of the West Highland Line, originally part of the Callander and Oban Railway.

The privately-owned locomotive that worked the Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch had authority to run over the main Callander and Oban Line between Loch Awe station and the branch junction, just over half a mile to the east.

History

This station opened on 1 July 1880 with just one platform. There was a loop, and sidings on both sides of the line. On 8 August 1897, the station building was destroyed by fire. A second platform, on the north side of the loop, was brought into use on 5 May 1902.

The station closed on 1 November 1965 but reopened on 10 May 1985 using only the more recent platform. The original platform remains in situ, but disused.

Signalling

Loch Awe signal box, which replaced the original box on 5 May 1902, was situated at the west end of the Down platform. It contained 24 levers. The signal box closed on 2 October 1966 when the crossing loop was removed.

"Tea Train"

An old Mark 1 carriage (which was formerly painted in green and cream "West Highland Line" livery and carried the number SC4494) sits on an isolated length of track immediately to the west of the station, on the south side. Having been brought to Loch Awe by a ballast train on 29 May 1988, it is used as a tea room. The main single line had to be temporarily severed and slued so that the carriage could be shunted onto its own track without the use of a crane.

Gallery

References

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