Isle of Mull Railway
The Isle of Mull Railway was a miniature railway on the Isle of Mull, an island belonging to Scotland Inner Hebrides. She had a track width of 10.25 inches and led to a length of 1 1 /4 miles from the ferry terminal in Craignure after Torosay Castle. It was opened in 1983 under the name Mull and West Highland Railway, the regular operation ended in October 2010. The line was marketed as Scotland's only island railway for passenger transport.
History
In 1975 's then owner Torosay Castle, the politician David James, Castle and Gardens decided to make available to the public. The businessman ( and railway enthusiast ) Graham Ellis recommended the construction of a narrow gauge railway to transport the visitors from the ferry dock to 1.5 miles distant castle and expected that the web could be a tourist attraction itself.
Although planning permission has already been granted in 1975, construction began in April 1982. The track was completed in May 1983 and the first test train ran on 22 May of the same year. On August 18, 1983 drove the first passenger train scheduled operations began on 22 June the following year. By 2010, more than 25,000 passengers annually took the train.
In 2010 Torosay Castle was offered for sale. Because of the uncertainty about the future of the property, the Mull and West Highland Railway Company announced the closure of the company as at 28 October 2010. A month later it was announced that the company intended the laying of the track.
The last day of operation, December 4, 2010 was provided. The ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne supported the farewell celebrations with special tickets to the island and had printed reminder posters. The very last train was driven by the founders of the web, Martin Eastwood and Graham Ellis. He drove in double traction with Lady of the Isles and Victoria, the former led a sign Ballamory Express on the front page. The entire rolling stock of the railway was on the train.
The closure of the railway line was " described significant blow to the tourism on the island and the mainland. " From the local tourist office as Chris James, owner of Torosay Castles, criticized the operator of the railway line and complained that he " did it for free for 30 years with play trains leave. "
In 2011, it was announced that no buyer has been found for Torosay Castle. This year, the lock should not be open as usual at 245, but only in 45 days, but this was not sufficient for economic operation of the railway.
The investments of the track were still present, so that the operation could be added at a reduced level again during the Easter holidays 2011. In 2013, the assets of the railway were removed. The material and the vehicles were sold in single lots. About a relocation of the railway to Balloch was discussed, but it was not realized.
Rolling stock
A total of six diesel and steam locomotives came on the system previously used, as well as 12 passenger cars with bogies and three freight cars. The locomotives Glen Audlyn and Lady of the Isles were now parked on the mainland.
Steam locomotives
- The Lady of the Isles (2- 6- 4T), built in 1981, was previously employed in the Suffolk Miniature Railway in Kessingland. The construction of the locomotive was influenced by another machine by Roger Marsh, Trevithick, which is now used on the Royal Victoria Railway.
- Victoria (2 -6- 2T) was built by Mouse Boiler Works in 1993 and is based on a built by Baldwin Locomotive, which is on the Puffing Billy Railway in Australia in use.
- Waverley ( 4-4-2 ) was built by David Curwen in 1948. Originally it was called the Black Prince and was used on a railway track in Weymouth, Dorset. Waverley is now on permanent loan at the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, in Staffordshire, and was repainted green.
Diesel locomotives
- Frances with two driven bogies, was built by Mouse Boiler Works in 1999 and is powered by a Perkins 1000 diesel engine with a hydraulic transmission. Weight 2 tons.
- Glen Audlyn with two driven bogies was built in 1986 on the Isle of Mull by Bob Davies. Drive by a Perkins 4108 diesel engine from a Commer - vehicle via a flow transmission.
- The Green Diesel, originally operated on the Great Central Railway in Loughborough, is based on a Class 26 locomotive and is driven by a motor of Morris Minor with a mechanical gearbox with four forward and four reverse gears.