Loch Awe railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Loch Awe
other_name = Loch Obha
code = LHA

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caption = An Oban to Glasgow train approaching Loch Awe station
manager = First ScotRail
locale = Loch Awe
borough = Argyll and Bute
latitude =
longitude =
lowusage0405 = 2,446
lowusage0506 = 2,775
lowusage0607 = 2,168
platforms = 1
original = Callander and Oban Railway
pregroup = Callander and Oban Railway operated by Caledonian Railway
years = 1 July 1880
events = Opened
years1 = 5 May 1902
events1 = Second platform brought into use.
years2 = 1 November 1965
events2 = Closed
years3 = 10 May 1985
events3 = Re-opened (using the newer platform)
years4 = 29 May 1988
events4 = SC4494 delivered to be a tea room

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

A85 road
Kilchurn Castle and a cafe set up in an old railway coach

References

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rail line
next = Falls of Cruachan
previous = Dalmally
route = First ScotRail
West Highland Line
col = FF80C0rail line
next = Falls of Cruachan
"Line and Station open"
previous = Dalmally
"Line and Station open"
route = Callander and Oban Railway

Operated by Caledonian Railway
col = Caledonian colour
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