Creagan: Looking south through Creagan station towards Connel Ferry on 29 September 2005. The remains of the water tower stand on the right. See image 45990
John Furnevel 29/09/2005

Creagan

Location type

Station

Name and dates

Creagan (1903-1966)

Opened on the Ballachulish Branch (Callander and Oban Railway).

Description

This was an island platform station, which bore a strong resemblance to stations on the West Highland Railway. Access was by a subway. The northbound platform was built on a straight alignment, to allow fast running of non-stop trains, and the southbound curved.

There was a goods yard on the east side of the line, reached by reversal from a siding at the south end of the southbound line.

The signal box closed in 1927 (when Duror lost its loop) and loop was retained operated by ground frames. It was no longer used to allow regular passenger trains to pass each other but still provided access to the goods yard.

After many years of dereliction following closure the building and platform have been beautifully restored in recent years. The base of the watertank and loading bank also remain. Railway cottages remain nearby.

The old station, railway cottages, several cabins and caravan pitches form the Appin Holiday Homes site where accommodation is offered.

The footpath following the railway does not run through the site but along the south side of the A828.

Tags

Station
06/08/2021




Chronology Dates

24/08/1903Ballachulish Branch (Callander and Oban Railway)
Line opened to passengers and goods. Stations opened at Benderloch, Creagan, Appin, Duror, Kentallen, Ballachulish Ferry, Ballachulish. For the opening Connel Ferry and Oban stations were rebuilt. Two large bridges were required Connel Ferry Bridge and Creagan Viaduct.
  /  /1927Ballachulish Branch (Callander and Oban Railway)
Duror loop taken out. Creagan signal box closed, loop accessed via ground frames.
26/03/1966Ballachulish Branch (Callander and Oban Railway)
Line closed completely between Connel Ferry and Ballachulish (Glencoe). North Connel, Benderloch, Barcaldine Halt, Creagan, Appin, Duror, Kentallen, Ballachulish Ferry, Ballachulish (Glencoe) closed.

Books


A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: The North of Scotland v. 15 (Regional railway history series)

Birth and Death of a Highland Railway: Ballachulish Line

Callander & Oban Railway Through Time

Callander and Oban Railway (Library of Railway History)

History of the Railways of the Scottish Highlands: Callander and Oban Railway v. 4

Scotland’s Lost Branch Lines: Where Beeching Got It Wrong

The Birth and Death of a Highland Railway: Ballachulish Line

Trossachs and West Highlands: Exploring the Lost Railways (Local History Series)