Whistlefield railway station

Last updated

Whistlefield

Whistlefield Halt
Whistlefield-Portincaple, Railway Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 188883.jpg
The railway bridge near the old Whistlefield Station site
General information
LocationBetween Garelochhead and Glen Douglas, Argyll and Bute
Scotland
Coordinates 56°05′50″N4°50′20″W / 56.097134°N 4.838802°W / 56.097134; -4.838802
Grid reference NS23519300
Platforms1
History
Original company West Highland Railway
Key dates
1 May 1896Opened [1]
13 June 1960Renamed Whilstlefield Halt [1]
15 June 1964Closed [1]

Whistlefield, later Whistlefield Halt, was a minor station on the West Highland Line 10.30 miles (15.76 Kilometres) from Craigendoran Junction [2] railway station near the hamlet of Portincaple on Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1896 by the West Highland Railway, it was built on a single track section without a passing loop in between Garelochhead and Glen Douglas and closed by the British Railways Board in 1964. [1]

Contents

History

System map of the West Highland Railway West Highland Rly.png
System map of the West Highland Railway

The station was officially opened at 12 noon on Tuesday 20 October 1896, [3] designed by the architect James Miller, [4] and it was of a different design to the other stations on the West Highland Railway that had opened the line to passengers on 7 August 1894; later operated by the North British Railway, until in 1923 it became part of the London and North Eastern Railway. In 1948 the line became part of the Scottish Region of British Railways following nationalisation and remains open as a route to Fort William, Mallaig and Oban. The trustees of the Luss Estates (Colquhoun) had been promised a station and the North British Railway finally conceded. The 'chalet-like' and non-standard appearance as well as the later opening date are explained by the reluctance of the company to invest in a station in this remote spot. [5]

Built to serve the Whistlefield hamlet, Portincaple with its fishing fleet and the surrounding area, the first station master was George Gall who was in post until his retirement in 1929 after which date both Shandon and Whistlefield came under the control of Garelochhead until closure and demolition in 1964. [6] At one time it was in regular use for Sunday church services.

In 1906, when King Edward VII came by train to the area before continuing to Fort William and he was welcomed at Whistlefield by the stationmaster George Gall, with flags and other decorations adorning the whole station. [7]

Whistlefield and near by Shandon were the locations of a German PoW camps and prisoners were regularly taken by train from the Faslane Platform and Whistlefield to work on the Loch Sloy hydroelectric scheme, disembarking at Inveruglas or possibly Glen Falloch Halt. [8]

The station and inn were frequented by the many drovers using the drove roads that once ran through this area to Portincaple and other destinations. [9]

The original 1896 service, affectionately known as the Wee Arrochar, was a Craigendoran (Upper) to Arrochar and Tarbet via Whistlefield and the other local stations and halts that was continued by British Rail until June 1964, when it fell victim to the Beeching Axe. [10]

Infrastructure

The West Highland Line near the Whistlefield Station site. Single track to Crianlarich (geograph 4078303).jpg
The West Highland Line near the Whistlefield Station site.

The single platformed station, without a passing loop, was located on a steep section of the line between the Garelochhead and Finnart Viaducts. [11] A new platform was built in 1925. [12] Steps ran up from the road to the station and remnants of these can still be seen. Railway cottages were built slightly to the north and these survive as private dwellings. The Whistlefield Store and tea room, later the 'Green Kettle Inn' was built close by [13] to capture the trade created by the railway with steamer excursions on the loch, picnickers, etc. [14] A house for the innkeeper was also constructed.

A siding was is recorded as present in 1896 [15] and a photograph of the 1920 or 1930s also shows a loading dock of some kind built from railway sleepers with a shed which may help explain the detailed instructions on the railway sign regarding shunting on the line with its significantly steep gradient. [16] Boxes of fish from the Portincaple fishing fleet were loaded on to passenger trains. The station was host to a LNER camping coach from 1936 to 1939. [17]

When first opened no signalling was present and the point for the siding was worked under the control of a tablet. [18] Bruce Henderson was the signalman at a later date, living in the railway cottage until moving to Garelochhead. [19] A pair of semi-detached small railway cottages were also located at Glen Douglas, similar in appearance to the one at Whistlefield railway station. [20]

A water balance funicular railway had been proposed from Whistlefield down to Portincaple to carry passengers using a steamer service at a new pier. [21]

The West Highland Line

Preceding station National Rail logo.svg National Rail Following station
Garelochhead   ScotRail
West Highland Line 		  Arrochar and Tarbet
  Historical railways  
Garelochhead
Line open; Station open		  North British Railway
West Highland Railway
  Glen Douglas Halt
Line open; Station closed

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll and Bute</span> Council area of Scotland

Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod. The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Robin Currie, a councillor for Kintyre and the Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Highland Line</span> Railway line in Scotland

The West Highland Line is a railway line linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban in the Scottish Highlands to Glasgow in Central Scotland. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the notable Trans-Siberian line in Russia and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru. The ScotRail website has since reported that the line has been voted the most scenic railway line in the world for the second year running.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corrour railway station</span> Railway station in the Scottish Highlands

Corrour railway station is on the West Highland Line, near Loch Ossian on the Corrour Estate, in the Highland Region of Scotland. It is the highest mainline railway station in the United Kingdom. It is located between Rannoch and Tulloch, and is sited 71 miles 54 chains (115.3 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh. ScotRail manage the station and provide most services, along with Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrochar and Tarbet railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Arrochar and Tarbet railway station is a railway station on the West Highland Line in Scotland. It stands between the villages of Arrochar and Tarbet. It is sited 19 miles 45 chains (31.5 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Ardlui and Garelochhead. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helensburgh Upper railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Helensburgh Upper railway station serves the town of Helensburgh, Scotland, on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde to the west of Glasgow. It is located in a residential area uphill from the town centre and is by far the smaller of the town's two stations. It is on the West Highland Line, 2 miles 8 chains (3.4 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, the first station on the line before Garelochhead. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardlui railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Ardlui railway station is a rural railway station, serving Ardlui at the north end of Loch Lomond, in Scotland. The station is located on the West Highland Line, sited 27 miles 43 chains (44.3 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Crianlarich and Arrochar and Tarbet. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garelochhead railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Garelochhead railway station is a railway station serving the village of Garelochhead, on the Gare Loch, in Scotland. This station is on the West Highland Line and is a boundary station for SPT. It is sited 8 miles 76 chains (14.4 km) from Craigendoran Junction, near Helensburgh, between Arrochar and Tarbet and Helensburgh Upper. ScotRail manage the station and operate most services, with others provided by Caledonian Sleeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craigendoran railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Craigendoran railway station is a railway station serving Craigendoran, east of Helensburgh, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail, who operate all services at the station, and is located on the North Clyde Line between Helensburgh Central and Cardross, 23 miles 18 chains (37.4 km) west of Glasgow Queen Street, measured via Singer and Maryhill. West Highland Line trains used to call here but no longer do following the closure of the upper platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardross railway station</span> Railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Cardross railway station is a railway station serving the village of Cardross, Scotland. The station is 19 miles 50 chains (31.6 km) from Glasgow Queen Street, measured via Singer and Maryhill. It is on the North Clyde Line between Dalreoch and Craigendoran, positioned on the banks of the north side of the River Clyde. The station is managed by ScotRail, who operate all services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Highland Railway</span> Former railway company in Scotland

The West Highland Railway was a railway company that constructed a railway line from Craigendoran to Fort William and Mallaig. The line was built through remote and difficult terrain in two stages: the section from Craigendoran to Fort William opened in 1894, with a short extension to Banavie on the Caledonian Canal opening in 1895.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portincaple</span>

Portincaple is a hamlet on the shores of Loch Long in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was once a fishing village sending its catch to market via the old railway station at Whistlefield.

Glen Falloch Halt railway station was a remote rural railway station in Glen Falloch, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Opened in 1946 by the LNER, it was located in Glen Falloch on the Ardlui side of the viaduct, but reported out of use by around 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lech-a-Vuie Platform railway station</span> Former railway station in Scotland

Lech-a-Vuie Platform railway station, Lechavuie or Lech-a-Vute was not constructed for public use. It stood close to the A830 road to the east of Loch Eilt near the Allt-a-Ghiughais burn and below Doire Dhamh on the West Highland Railway's extension to Mallaig. It stood in between the still extant Glenfinnan and Lochailort stations. At first it only served the needs of shooting parties on the Inverailort Estate owned by the Common-Head family, however it was later used by the army and navy during WWII and closed in the 1970s. Lech-a-vuie was 18.5 miles (30 km) from Mallaig Junction and stood at the summit of the line at a height of 379 feet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fersit Halt railway station</span> Former railway station in Scotland

Fersit Halt railway station named after the nearby hamlet of Fersit, was situated close to Tulloch railway station in Lochaber, Highland council area, Scotland. Fersit was a remote rural temporary private halt at the north end of Loch Treig where workers were housed who worked on the Lochaber hydroelectric scheme. The halt was opened in 1931 by the LNER, it was located near the site of a contractors railway ballast siding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Douglas Halt railway station</span> Disused railway station in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Glen Douglas Halt railway station was known as Craggan in the line's construction reports, also Glen Douglas Siding, Glen Douglas Platform (Private), Glen Douglas (Private) and finally Glen Douglas Halt. Opened by the North British Railway in 1894 or 1895 its status has changed several times along with its official name. The form Glendouglas was also sometimes used, such as on the platform name board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banavie Pier railway station</span> Disused railway station in Banavie, Highland

Banavie Pier railway station was the terminus of a short branch and was at first known as Banvie, opened by the North British Railway in 1895. The station's location was just above the impressive flight of locks on the Caledonian Canal known as "Neptune's Staircase", Banavie, Highland council area, Scotland.

Inveruglas was a remote temporary private railway station near the hamlet of Inveruglas, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1945 by the LNER, it was built in connection with the construction of the Sloy Hydro-Electric facility and was located on the Ardlui side of the Inveruglas Viaduct and recorded to be out of use by around 1948.

Faslane Platform railway station or Faslane Junction Platform railway station was a temporary private railway station located near the Stuckendoff PoW camp, Shandon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Opened in 1945 by the LNER in connection with the construction of the Loch Sloy Hydro-Electric facility and was located on the Shandon side of the Chapel Burn and recorded to be out of use by around 1949 in the British Railways era.

Whistlefield is a location just north of Garelochhead on the B872 in Dunbartonshire, Scotland. There is a roundabout known locally as the "Whistlefield roundabout" on the A814 road. There is a viewpoint called the "Whistlefield viewpoint" with a picnic area and an associated carpark.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Butt (1995) page 247
  2. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 71.
  3. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 12.
  4. ↑ "Dictionary of Scottish Architects" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  5. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). The West Highland Railway. 120 Years. ScotRail.
  6. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "The 'Wee Arrochar'" Helensburgh Heritage Trust website; Retrieved 27 December 2017
  11. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 71.
  12. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "Canmore Whistlefield" . Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  15. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 12.
  16. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust Photo Gallery" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  17. ↑ McRae, Andrew (1997). British Railway Camping Coach Holidays: The 1930s & British Railways (London Midland Region). Vol. Scenes from the Past: 30 (Part One). Foxline. p. 11. ISBN   1-870119-48-7.
  18. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 12.
  19. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust" . Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  20. ↑ "Helensburgh Heritage" . Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  21. ↑ McGregor, John (1994). 100 years of the West Highland Railway. ScotRail. p. 52.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.