rogerfarnworth Posted January 5, 2019 Share Posted January 5, 2019 Another of those magazines at Christmas time (2018). This time it was an old "Hornby Magazine" from 2012. This was originally intended to be a short reflection on the Ballachulish Line but it is developing into something much longer. There will be three parts to this story! This is the first post: http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/01/01/the-ballachulish-railway-line-part-1 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerfarnworth Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 In Part 1 of this story we covered much about the history of the line between Connel Ferry and Ballachulish. We start Part 2 with a few reminders of what was covered in Part 1 and provide some additional material from various sources before continuing our journey North along the branch. http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/01/02/the-ballachulish-railway-line-part-2/ 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerfarnworth Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 This is the third of three posts planned to cover the Ballachulish Branch. It includes the final length of the line approaching Ballachulish, some details about the quarries and a November 1950 article about the line which has been taken from The Railway Magazine of that date. http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/01/05/the-ballachulish-railway-line-part-3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nightstar.train Posted January 6, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 6, 2019 Very interesting articles Roger. What a lovely looking branch line. Massively over appointed for three trains a day, it looks as if it could handle 10 times that traffic with ease. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mow Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 I really enjoyed reading your blog postings on this line. I hadn't realised that the tidal race at Ballachuish was so violent. That aerial shot was an eye opener. This is the third of three posts planned to cover the Ballachulish Branch. It includes the final length of the line approaching Ballachulish, some details about the quarries and a November 1950 article about the line which has been taken from The Railway Magazine of that date. http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/01/05/the-ballachulish-railway-line-part-3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) I really enjoyed reading your blog postings on this line. I hadn't realised that the tidal race at Ballachuish was so violent. That aerial shot was an eye opener. The race is under the bridge at Connel Ferry. I've watched a coaster shoot that on a falling tide like a kayak . Edited January 6, 2019 by pH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted January 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 6, 2019 Thanks for posting your links Roger. I know this line well having cycled and photographed the remains of the line. Really good to read your articles. Helps fill in the history of the line. I'm planning on building a layout based on the line evetually. Thanks once again. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dava Posted January 6, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 6, 2019 I've read the accounts of the Ballachulish Branch with great interest although I only saw the line and traversed the Connel Bridge after closure. I'd recommend this book which is not mentioned as an informed account of the building and closure of the line. Birth and Death of a Highland Railway: Ballachulish Line, Duncan Kennedy [John Murray, 1971] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerfarnworth Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 Thanks Dava I am looking out for the book at a reasonable price! Roger 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dava Posted January 9, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 9, 2019 Roger, Abebooks can probably help. I came across it in a public library back in the 1970s! It does have interview/accounts with engineers who built the line and other information probably not available via other sources. Happy hunting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Argos Posted January 9, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2019 Its writer Duncan Kennedy was a young engineer on the line. The book gives a great insight into the construction industry practices at the time, echoes of which still remain. There isn't much detail of the line itself though. The later editions have been expanded by a couple of chapters to provide more detail on this. It is still far from a standard line history. A thoroughly recommended reading all the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Thanks Dava I am looking out for the book at a reasonable price! Roger Roger, Abebooks can probably help. Abebooks has several copies listed. Whether or not the prices are reasonable, I'll let you decide. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetmorgan Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Some interesting stuff there and I'll have to go through it in more detail ate a later date. I have a lady friend who lives in Ballachulish and it would be lovely to visit her but without the railway there now it's a major trip. I did find this photo in one of my copies of Steam World which might be of some interest 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mow Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 The race is under the bridge at Connel Ferry. I've watched a coaster shoot that on a falling tide like a kayak . Thanks for the correction of my mistake. I appreciate the engineering of Connel Bridge even more having seen that aerial view. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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