This is a single platform station alongside the north east shore of Loch Awe [Loch] with a footbridge over the line giving access to a pier, Loch Awe Pier. Only the former eastbound platform remains in use. High above is the Loch Awe Hotel which may be reached by a staircase up a cliff.
This was a two platform station (originally one platform with a goods loop). The larger building (replaced 1897 after a fire) was on the westbound platform with a waiting room on the eastbound. This station featured a fountain which was to the east of the main station building. The station's west end was formerly connected to the hotel with a baggage lift.
The goods yard with a loading bank was to the west on the north side of the line. Trains from Ben Cruachan Quarry ran to the goods yard from the quarry. On the south side opposite the mains goods yard was a siding for the Loch Awe Pier. A crane on the pier provided transshipment.
The signal box was at the west end of the westbound platform. It was replaced in 1902.
Steamers from Loch Awe Pier ran to other piers on the loch such as Ford Pier, Port Sonachan, Cladich Pier and New York (near Dalavich!). A variation on the Royal Route had passengers arriving at Ardrishaig not use the Crinan Canal but instead travel overland to Ford Pier where a steamer to Loch Awe Pier and train would take them to Oban.
The station closed to passengers in 1965 and the signal box and loop closed in 1966. The station buildings were demolished. British Rail re-opened the now minimal station in 1985. The goods yard side is now the car park.
West from the station the line follows the north bank of Loch Awe to Falls of Cruachan and on the the dramatic Pass of Brander. For much of this length the line runs on a shelf constructed on the steep hillside of Ben Cruachan, protected by the 'stone signals' from falling rocks (see Pass of Brander Stone Signals. Opposite the railway on the south side of the pass are high cliffs and a area scree and boulders down to the water's edge.
East of Loch Awe are the site of the junction for the Ben Cruachan Quarry at Drishaig Junction and the long Orchy Viaduct close to Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle is to the north east of the station (just over 1.5 miles by foot or road).
Loch Awe Hotel opened with the station.
The Caledonian Camping Coach Company has accommodation in a former railway carriage by the station. This coach was delivered here by unusual means: after arrival here the track was slewed sideways to the south and then new panels laid where the track had been.
One of the routes up Ben Cruachan starts south west from the station, initially following an Old Military Road before continuing up to Cruachan Dam, which dams the reservoir for the Cruachan Power Station.
Nearby stations Dalmally Falls of Cruachan Taynuilt Ach-na-Cloich Tyndrum Lower Tyndrum [1st] Glen Falloch Platform Upper Tyndrum Bridge of Orchy Connel Ferry Barcaldine Halt North Connel Ardlui Creagan Benderloch | Drishaig Junction Orchy Viaduct Quarry Quarry Ben Cruachan Quarry Dalmally Shed Tourist/other Loch Awe Pier Loch Awe Hotel Kilchurn Castle Kilchurn Castle Level Crossing Duncan Ban MacIntyre Monument [Dalmally] Loch Awe [Loch] Stob Garbh Sron an Isean Stob Diamh |
Location names in dark blue are on the same original line. |
TSMV Countess of Breadalbane [II]This vessel, by William Denny & Sons, was assembled at the slipway half a mile west of Loch Awe station in 1936. She operated on Loch Awe from the pier by the station called at piers on the loch down to Ford. In 1952 she was removed by the road, crossing the Callander and Oban Railway immediately west of the western distant signal, and taken by road to Loch Fyne, operating on the Clyde until 1981 when she moved to Loch Lomond. |
02/06/1913 | Callander and Oban Railway Motor service introduced between Loch Awe and Inveraray. |
01/11/1965 | Callander and Oban Railway Loch Awe, Ach-na-Cloich closed. |
02/10/1966 | Callander and Oban Railway Loch Awe signal box closed and loop closed. |
01/05/1985 | Callander and Oban Railway Loch Awe re-opened to passengers. |
05/04/1997 | Callander and Oban Railway Railway blocked by a landslip at Loch Awe which derailed a Sprinter. |