Ahh, the West Highland Line. Often described as the most beautiful route in world. This is part one of a three part suggestion for this wonderful route. Today, we'll take a journey from Helensburgh Upper, where this line transitions into the North Clyde Line (Suggestion here: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/north-clyde-line-helensburgh-airdrie-wip.49554/) through Crianlarich, where we shall then take a look at the Oban Branch, and the Main Stretch of track to Fort William. I will be focusing on the ScotRail era of today, with the BR Class 156 and 153 here. Let's begin!. Contents The Route/Stations Dividing the route for the game? Rolling Stock Timetable BR Era? Conclusion The Route This section of the route starts at Helensburgh Upper, where trains come from and head to Glasgow Queen Street, via the North Clyde and Maryhill Lines. Electric services seperate to Helensburgh Central, and the Highland-bound services come here. Helensburgh Upper is located in the Upper areas of the Town, overlooking a thoroughfare, which leads to the town centre (Helensburgh Central is also on this), with views down towards the town, the River Clyde and beyond (on the rare clear day ) The station has one track - and one platform - and is located down in a trench beneath the road and surrounding parts of the town. The station is by far the smallest in the town, seeing around 14,000 passengers in a normal year, compared to Central's 750,000 or so a year. We then take the journey northwest, looking down on the Gare Loch, and running the same path as the national roads. After we pass HMNB Clyde (also known as Faslane), we arrive in the village of Garelochead. Situated at the head of the Gare Loch, the village has one railway station, which is located at the eastern end of it. The station has two platforms, meaning trains can pass here, however that isn't always the case. The station also serves as the boundary of the SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) jurisdiction. We continue north, as we run (roughly) parallel to Loch Long, which, like the Gare Loch, which - even though it is partly blocked off, the close we get to our next station, the more our view opens up. Our next station is Arrochar and Tarbet Located above the town of Tarbet, and along the road from Arrochar, which we pass on the way to this station, this station is located in the middle of Loch Long (the head of which is West of here) and Loch Lomond, probably Scotland's most famous loch. Following Arrochar & Tarbet, we head north, following the truly wonderful banks of Loch Lomond, parallel to the A82 road, with wonderful views to the hills and mountains across. When we reach the head of the Loch, we find Ardlui. Ardlui is another Island platform, and our final stop before Crianlarch. The station is located at the West side of the village, at the northern end of Loch Lomond, and services pass here, on occasion. Initially we head north from Ardlui, before taking a sharp right turn a fair distance north, and then making our way Northeast. We follow the River Falloch and the A82 from Ardlui (where the River and Loch Lomond need) up to Crianlarich, the final station before we split for Oban or Fort William/Mallaig. Crianlarich itself is a small village, and the station mostly serves the purpose of the Split/Coupling point for Oban/Mallaig Services, which often run as 4 car sets to/from Glasgow Queen Street, as far as here. The station was formerly called "Crianlarich Upper", as another station, "Crianlarich Lower" was located to the west of the station, which was located on The Callander and Oban Railway, which ran from Stirling to Oban, which still operates today from Crianlarch Junction onwards, with Crianlarich Lower - Callander being closed. Now we head north from the village, and our next station is Tyndrum. The question is, which one? Saying as we just looked at the Oban line briefly, let's head there, and then we will double back to Crianlarich, and head north to Fort William. The Fort William and Oban lines take the opposite sides of the A82 and the River Fillan, as they travel northwest to Tyndrum. Fort William is on the north side, and Oban on the south. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Helensburgh - Crianlarich 5 Stations ~63 or so Miles –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We'll head to Oban first. Tyndrum Lower is our first stop, and our last for quite a while. Originally opened in 1873 (on the Callander & Oban Line) as a terminus station, and the western end of the line, Tyndrum - as it was originally called - remained a terminus until 1877, when the line extended west, and the former terminal was replaced by a through station. In 1894, a second station, also called Tyndrum, opened on the West Highland Railway. In 1956, both stations recieved suffixes (this station being Tyndrum Lower, the other being Upper), and in 1965, all services to Callander and Dunblane cease, as the line fell victim to both a Land Slide and the Beeching Axe. The station, and the line to Oban, both joined the West Highland Line via Crainlarich Jcn. Now we depart Tyndrum, and we follow both the A85 and River Lochy (after passing Lochan Bhe), and the line makes it's way through the Western Highlands to Dalmally. Unlike the station prior, Dalmally has Two platforms (Tyndrum Lower has one), and is a very pleasant station, with a station building and a nice use of plantpots and flowers. This station was the Terminus of the Oban line for 4 years (1877 - 1880), taking over from Tyndrum, and being replaced by the final destination: Oban. Now we head almost directly west (after a curve around the head of Loch Awe), to Loch Awe Station. Located near the village of Loch Awe, and located almost directly on the bank of Loch Awe itself, this station is really a beautiful one. The station had two platforms before 1965 (Beeching Axe), when it closed, however when it reopened in 1985, only the newer platform opened again, with the older one now overgrown and disused, without a track to go with it. Immediately to the west of the station, an old Mk. 1 Carriage, formerly liveried in the Green & Cream "West Highland Line" livery, stands on a small, isolated set of tracks, and - until 2008 - was used as a tea room, overlooking the loch. We follow the north/west bank of the loch round to Falls of Cruachan, our 'special case'. This station is only opened between March and October, as a seasonal stop. This is due to the fact the station mostly sees hikers looking to climb Ben Crauchan via the Falls. Some services skip the station altogether, running along the River Awe, straight to Taynuilt, our next port of call. The station is located at a passing loop (a trait most 2 platform stations share on the WHL), and is located in the village of the same name, and serves the bordering villages of Achlonan and Brochroy, which lead onto Loch Etive. After this, we then move up to the Loch, and follow it to Connel Ferry. The station is located in the village of Connel, the larger of the two Connel's. (with North Connel, located directly opposite, being smaller.) The village connects to North Connel and Oban Airport via the Connel Bridge. There was also a branch line from Connel Ferry north to Ballachulish - which is actually closer to Fort William. The line crossed to North Connel over a Cantilever bridge, at the time it opened, second (in span length) only to the Forth Bridge. Now, as finally arrive at Oban. Located in the town centre, adjacent to Oban Ferry Terminal, known as the "Gateway to the Isles", which ferries to Colonsay, Mull, Lismore, Coll & Torre, Barra and South Just (Winter Only), and this is our final stop on the Oban Branch. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Oban Branch: 7 Stations (+ Crianlarich = 8) 41 miles, 73 chains –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Now, let's head back to Tyndrum, Upper Tyndrum this time, and we will now head north to Fort William. Upper Tyndrum is the second station in Tyndrum, and the newer of the two. Opened in 1894 as the second station (called Tyndrum like the other, though), this station was on the West Highland Railway (opposed to the Oban and Callander that the other Tyndrum was on), and in 1956 was renamed Tyndrum Upper. In 1988, the name swapped round to become Upper Tyndrum. We'll then continue north, to Bridge of Orchy, our next station. Also opened in 1894, Bridge of Orchy is an island platform, located on a passing loop. The station building is used as a bunkhouse for people walking the West Highland Way (a long-distance walking route from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William - 154km). We head north from head to Rannoch station, on the Rannoch Moor. Surrounded by mountains, and consisting of Moorlands, the Rannoch Moor truly is beautiful, and this station is right in the middle of it, as is our next station; Corrour. Isolated from all society, Corrour is located at Northern end of the Rannoch Moor, and it's original intention was a location for a passing loop, but ended up a station, for both private and public use. Today, however, the island configuration remains, however only one platform is called at by services these days. The station has also appeared in numerous films and media, from Trainspotting to Harry Potter, and All the Stations. The station building and old signalbox are used as a Café and Guest Rooms respectively. However, as much as we'd probably all like to, we can't talk about Corrour all day, and now we'll head north, out of the Rannoch Moor, along Loch Trieg and into Tulloch. This station has 2 platforms, and is on a passing loop. In 2018/19, the station had 2,148 entries and exits in the period, meaning that the station was both the WHL's least busy station, but Scotland's least busy out of stations with direct connections to London (Euston, via Caledonian Sleeper). Following on from Tulloch we have Roy Bridge, serving the village of Roybridge. The station formerly had 2 platforms on a passing loop, however the Up loop was removed in 1966, taking the Station Buildings and Signal Box with it. Shortly after Roy Bridge, west along the River Spean, we have Spean Bridge. Serving the village of Spean Bridge, the station was formerly a junction between the line to Fort William and a branch to Fort Augustus Pier, at the bottom of Loch Ness. Today, the station has two platforms, and is the final stop before Fort William. Whilst not technically the terminus of the route, a title belong to Mallaig I have suggested Fort William - Mallaig before (link can be found in the thread in my signature), Fort William is the reversing point for services between Glasgow and Mallaig, so it's a fitting point to wrap this suggestion up. This station dates back to June 13, 1975, (the original was 1894 - June 9, 1975) And lies in the shadows of Ben Nevis - Scotland and Great Britain's highest mountain. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Crianlarich - Fort William 8 Stations (+ Crianlarich = 9) 63 Miles, 14 Chains –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Anyway, that's our journey done, at long last! How about that, eh? Dividing the Route? Yes, it would have to be divided. The way i'd propose it to be is: {Glasgow - Helensburgh Upper be part of a North Clyde Line add-on} Helensburgh Upper - Crianlarich Oban Line Crianlarich - Fort William {Fort William - Mallaig} Rolling Stock Included Class 156 The Primary unit on this line, the Class 156 "Super Sprinter" is a 2-car DMU operated by ScotRail, among other operators. The 156 dates back to the BR era, and has found a home on this line since the late 1980's. Class 153 Introduced in May of this year on ScotRail (2021 - for anyone reading this in 2022), the 153 - branded the "Highland Explorer" by ScotRail, operates with Class 156's, with services such as WiFi, Bicycle Spaces and more available. These trains can only be driven from the 'A Cab', as B is too crowded. The 153 exclusively operates on the West Highland Line for ScotRail, and were brought up from GWR for the conversion. Included in one of the routes, or a Potential DLC Caledonian Sleeper Class 87 + MK5 Coaches If the license could be obtained, the Caledonian Sleeper could be an interesting operation. With services from London to/from Fort William, the service (obviously) runs at night, and it could be a unique experience for the game. Services The timetable - thanks to the rural nature of this route, is fairly shallow, however the route makes up for it: ScotRail: 3tpd - (Glasgow QS) Helensburgh - Oban Calling at: All stations (Falls of Cruachan is Summer Only) Class 156 (and 153) 4tpd - (Glasgow QS) Helensburgh - Oban & Fort William or Mallaig Calling at: All stations between Helensburgh and Crianlarich, where this train splits. For OBAN: All stations after Crianlarich except Falls of Cruachan For MALLAIG: All stations after Crianlarich - 1tpd terminates at Fort William 1tpd - Dalmally - Oban Calling at: All Stations (Falls of Cruachan is Summer Only) AI - 1tpd - Mallaig - Fort William Caledonian Sleeper: 1tpd (each way) - (London Eus) Helensburgh - Fort William Calling at: Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Corrour, Tulloch, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William. BR Era? This echoes my Fort William - Mallaig Suggestion. A BR Era timetable would be nice for this route, using the 37 (Ideally reskinned) to recreate the feel of the TS1 Route. It could even have a BR Liveried 156 thrown in for fans of both BR and DMUs. Conclusion Do i need a conclusion? Fine... I think the West Highland Line is one of Scotland's best on offer - high bar, i know - but it can be done. The line splits up into decent sized chunks, all with their own features at hand. The Crianlarich split/coupling would also be a good bonus if (one day) all 3 sections shown here are made and merged. However, that's unlikely to ever happen. However, i think all has been said. So, i thank you for reading, and coming on this journey into the Bonnie Highlands of Scotland. Happy New Year when it comes, and stay safe.
Whilst Rannoch Moor is my favourite place in the world, in a practical sense Fort William to Mallaig would provide a more 'complete' feeling section of the West Highland Line than the segments further south, so I would opt for that particular part instead. Still worth consideration though, especially if the route could eventually appear merged from these parts, so we don't have to switch routes at the more significant stations for each leg of the journey.
Yeah, the "extension" would be my preference, that or the Section shared with the North Clyde Line. This suggestion is mostly hoping that one day we'll see merges come to the game.
Remember that over the course of the next several years we're only likely to get maybe a couple of Scottish routes, so pick wisely
I think we will definitely see Fort William to Mallaig at some point. Glasgow up to Fort Bill and/or Oban probably too long. I suspect we would most likely get up to Crianlarich with maybe a token (no pun intended) continuation to Tyndrum Upper and Tyndrum Lower for the takeout portals. But period for me has got to be late 70's or early 80's with steam heat 25's and 27's on Mark One stock, maybe the odd 37 and pre RETB (though the latter could provide a bit of fun, providing DTG code it well).
Bring it on and when Steam locomotives Arrive will there be a steam railtour here or not? What is going to be your DLC locomotive here
Who says I need a DLC. The 156 & 153 are the only units that run the line regularly, and I have my doubts about Caledonian Sleeper, so I'm not going to bother with it. As for Steam, the Jacobite runs on the section north of this, from Fort William to Mallaig.
Thank you for telling me about this and for services on the route is it common to see a combined class 156 153 combination.
Whenever a Class 153 runs on this line, it's with a 156. They never run alone with ScotRail. Partly because one of the cabs is too crowded to be used long-distance, and also because they're intended to add capacity on the line, especially for people with bikes or walking equipment.
I'd love for this route to happen. I built the route from Hellensburg to Oban extending the Glasgow North Electric some years ago, in MSTS... decorated it and all. Had to use refences and cabrides.... it is really an amazing route.
