Scotrail in 1988: A Journey up the West Highland Line

Trains are my life, they are my passion. Since I was a young boy, I have loved trains. My Dad, my Uncle and both my Grandfathers were train enthusiasts, and shared their love of trains with me. I grew up in Charlotte,NC,USA and watched intently as a 4-year-old while sleek passenger trains known as the "Piedmont" and the "Crescent" stopped at the Southern Railway passenger station on North Tryon Street in Charlotte. These trains had 3-4 diesel engines followed by silver varnish, and occasional piggyback (TOFC) cars on the rear of the train. I enjoyed seeing these trains arrive and depart immensely, and was eager to see them again and again. I even got to see the "Flying Scotsman" arrive at this station in the late 1960s, while on a tour of North America. My enjoyment of watching, riding and photographing trains is still alive today, and my son Ian enjoys them, too.

The title of this blog is lifted from a spot on the West Highland Line which goes between Glasgow, Scotland and Mallaig, Scotland. It is a 164 1/2 mile jouney up rolling hills, valleys and peat bogs which has wonderful scenery. It is highly recommended during any season, and is one of the most beautiful places on God's green earth. I have travelled on this line only twice, but the journey left a lasting impression on me. I look forward to returning to this line, and riding "ScotRail" back to Mallaig, with great eagerness.

I hope you enjoy this web log. Please post any comments you may have.

UK Trip, Late Spring 1988

Born out of the rivalry between the Caledonian and the North British Railways for the west coast fish trade, the West Highland Line was opened in two stages, from Glasgow to Fort William in 1894, and from Fort William to Mallaig in 1901. Now tourism is the mainstay of this spectacular route, which is one of the best railway journeys in Great Britain.

When I first rode this line in May 1988, the trains were 3-4 cars in length, usually Mark II or III stock, with 1 Class 37 diesel locomotive. Today, most trains are Diesel Multiple Unit stock, or "DMUs". Not as comfortable or as romantic, but much more economical.

I arrived in early morning at Glasgow Queen Street Station, and boarded the train. It was slightly cold, with an almost wintry-feeling in the air on this crisp morning. The train departed on-time, and after leaving Queen Street, negotiated the steep climb in Cowlairs tunnel, then ran west along the Clyde river, passing below Erskine Bridge, to the station at Dumbarton Central, where there is a good view of the rock and castle just east of the fine 1896 Central Station.

The train had 4 cars, a Class 37 English Electric diesel on the point, and was travelling at approximately 45-50 mph. The sun was now shining on this glorious morning, and I sat on the west side of the train, which was travelling north. There was a nice view from the next station at Cardross across the Firth of Clyde to Port Glasgow and Newark Castle, with Dunoon and Holy Loch in the distance. I recalled that there was a US Navy submarine base at Holy Loch. Swinging inland to Helensburgh Upper, the train climbs through the woods above Gare Loch to Garelochhead, with a good view over the Faslane Naval base. The station here is the first in the Arts and Crafts cum Swiss style typical of the line. Now the train crosses to Loch Long and climbs above the Loch. At the head of the Loch, dwarfed by the bulk of the Cobbler, is the pretty resort of Arrochar, served by the station at Arrochar and Tarbet. Then, the train crosses the neck of land that separates Loch Long from the fresh water of Loch Lomond.

(To be Continued Soon!)

Stay tuned for a weblog of my trip with Ian to the UK!