Cycling Route 7, along the former Callander and Oban Railway line up Glen Ogle (part 2)

Cycling Lochearnhead to Killin Junction on the former Callander & Oban Railway Line

This is a continuation of a blog of our cycle ride along part of Sustrans Cycle Route 7 in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.  
​Starting at Lochearnhead we joined the former Callander and Oban Railway trackbed and continued up the spectacular Glen Ogle.  Although steep sided the route of the railway line contours the hillside to maintain gentle gradients throughout.

A former linesman's / signallers hut still survives beside the line.

As detailed before the line to Glen Ogle opened in 1870 but following Dr. Beeching's infamous report on the railway network produced in the early 1960's the section of the Callander and Oban line between Crianlarich and Callander was scheduled for closure on 1st November 1965.  However, before that date, in the early hours of Monday 27th September 1965, a rockfall occurred in Glen Ogle.  This area had been a constant headache to the operators of the line since construction as landslips and rockfalls were not infrequent.  Following an engineering assessment of the damage it was decided by the powers that be that there was no economic benefit of clearing the line and shoring up the bank as the line was due to close in just over a month's time.

Looking south east towards Callandar, the site of the rockfall which finally closed the section of line between Crianlarich and Callander.

The rockfall not only closed the Callander and Crianlarich section of the line it also meant the closure of the five mile long Killin Junction to Killin  Village section.
A photograph of the rockfall taken in the 1960s soon after the track had been lifted can be seen here: www.railscot.co.uk/img/28/647/

Impressive stone twelve arch viaduct near the head of Glen Ogle carried the Callander and Oban line along the steep slopes (Photo via Wikipedia by Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19392888)

Towards the top of Glen Ogle is a very impressive 12 arch viaduct at the foot of Meall Sgliata which can be seen clearly from the main road which runs along the opposite side of the glen.  

From the viaduct it is a short ride to the top of the glen and to what in 1870 was the temporary terminus of the line.  As funds were short and Scottish winter climate unforgiving construction of the line was slow and undertaken in sections as an when investment and weather permitted.
Glen Ogle station was originally named Killin Station despite Killin village on the shore of Loch Tay being a good 4 miles away.  When the railway was opened horses and carriages met the trains and conveyed passengers down the slopes to Killin Village.  
Renamed Glenoglehead in 1886 and closed to passengers in 1889 although remained as a passing loop and a platform to occasional excursions until 1965.  The station building is now a private dwelling.

Crossing Glen Ogle viaduct looking south.

Glenoglehead station (formerly Killin station). Platforms still visible as is the station house which is now a private dwelling

Glenoglehead station is the summit of the line at this point with the route descending gently thereafter towards what was Killin Junction.
We pass the occasional surviving wayside shed, the severed bases of signal posts and other indications of earlier activity until we come to Killin Junction station.

Distant signal base

Linesmen's hut

Fence strainer post

As we arrive at the former Killin Junction station site we see the station has almost been entirely cleared away - only a small portion of the central platform remains.  The route of the line to Killin can be seen in the picture, dropping off to the right.
Killin junction was distinctive as there was no road access.  The station was entirely a junction for the line to Killin.  Older people have recorded memories of long waits at this station for their connecting trains.

The location of the station is in the middle distance. The line to Killin runs off to the right, ahead is Crianlarich and we have just come in on the line on the left from Glenoglehead. The signal box used to stand dead centre of this view between the two lines.

Because there was no road access and no towns or villages for quite some distance the station staff used to reside in two adjoining cottages.  When we visited the station site the two cottages were in the process of being converted into a private dwelling.  The station had three platforms - one for the Killin train and the other two for the crossing loop.  So at times this remote and lonely station could be a bustle of activity!

The eastern end of the island platform is in the centre of the picture. The Killin train platform was to the left and the main line crossing loop on the right.

Two former railway workers cottages in the process of being converted into a private dwelling.

 After a good look round its time to return to Lochearnhead.  After a short clime up to Glenoglehead station we have a fantastic long gentle freewheel back to Lochearnhead.
​A great day out in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Looking along the former railway line through a road arch just south of Glenoglehead station.