Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch

     Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch

Locale Scotland
Dates of operation 1885 1916
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Legend
Ben Cruachan Quarry
Zig zags

Left arrowRight arrow Callander and Oban Railway

The Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch was a short standard gauge branch line that was built to serve a granite quarry on Ben Cruachan in Scotland. The branch connected with the Callander and Oban Railway about one kilometre east of Loch Awe railway station.

Engineering works

It was built as a zig zag railway so as to reach the quarry which was situated high on the steep mountainside.

Traffic

During construction of the West Highland Railway, material was taken by rail from this branch for the viaducts on that line.

The site today

The branch was taken out of use in 1916. Its trackbed can still be clearly traced, and many of the wooden sleepers are still in situ.

References

    Coordinates: 56°24′58″N 5°01′51″W / 56.4160°N 5.0309°W / 56.4160; -5.0309


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