Crianlarich station

[alex17595]

Hi all, I'm planning on starting a modelling on Crianlarich station and I'm looking for information on the track plan.

I have attached the map that I'm using as a basis from this project which is have tracked down to being made somewhere between 1897-1901. I will also attach a screenshot of what I think the track layout was like (apart from it not being right lengths.)

There is a couple of things I still need to find out though:

- What is the size of the engine shed? ~ I measured it to 50m on Ordnance Survey
- During this time was the mainline connection to the shed/turntable facing north? The current set up is a southbound connection.
- How long was the station and what were the services formed of?
- How bug was the turntable? - My friend has it down at 50ft radius but he lost the link and I can't find it.


Thanks.

 

[30907]

Just to start you off:

Crianlarich Upper seems to have changed very little over the years, judging by a glance at satellite views, but the 6" OS isn't a reliable guide to track layouts. In this case it fails to show the (down) platform track on the west side of the island platform!

Google pictures shows part of a large scale plan (posted on rmweb) including the TT. I would guess 50' from the date of installation as well.

The West Highland line was built by the North British Railway which became part of the LNER and ScR which will give you some pointers to researching further - though worth noting that in BR days LMS Black 5s were common motive power. If you can be more specific about the period you are interested in, I am sure there are members with relevant knowledge.

 

[Bevan Price]

Based on photos and other sources, motive power on West Highland line included (in approximate date order)
NBR 4-4-0 (LNER Class D34, up to 1930s/40s, but worked railtour(s) in 1950s.
LNER Class K2 2-6-0 (Late 1930s until 1950s)
Class V4 2-6-2
LNER Classes K1/K4 2-6-0, plus B1 4-6-0 (Until withdrawal)
ex LMS Stanier 5MT 4-6-0 (1950s until dieselisation)
BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0
BR Class 27 diesel
BR Class 37 diesel
Class 156 dmu (+ Class 67 on sleeper)

Pairs of steam locos were common on the heavier train. Combinations of LMS & LNER locos not unknown e.g. Black 5 with K2)
NBR (LNER) 4-4-2 tanks worked local shuttles at southern end of line, but these terminated before Crianlarich.

 

[Taunton]

How big was the turntable? - My friend has it down at 50ft radius

Likely to be 50ft diameter, ie 25ft radius. Turntables are normally measured at overall length, that is diameter. 50ft was common in the days of 4-4-0s, plus tender, being the normal power on a line, when larger 4-6-0s were in use they tended to be 60ft, and when the largest Pacifics etc came along into BR days then major sheds (ie not Crianlarich) had 70ft tables installed.

Most Scottish companies bought their turntables from Cowans Sheldon of Carlisle.

 

[alexl92]

OP, do you own a copy of Trainz Railway Simulator? If so downloading the Fort William - Mallaig route may help you.

 

[glbotu]

Crianlarich is not between Fort William and Mallaig (I've been and also have the route on Trainz)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Crianlarich is not between Fort William and Mallaig (I've been and also have the route on Trainz)

It is situated north of Ardlui and south of the line bifurcation that leads to Lower Tyndrum on one line and to Tyndrum Upper on the other line.

 

[alex17595]

I will have a look around when I go to Scotland next month. I went in January but I was too busy being cold.

 

[Njal]

Some drawings of very similar station buildings here (post 60):
http://www.crassoc.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=94

Photo of engine shed - 13 bays, you could probably count the bricks to get dimensions:
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/pinzac55/21762019

Track layout diagrams:
http://www.signalbox.org/diagrams.php?selectpg=Show+all&viewpg=Go!

Other sites:
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-50319-crianlarich-crianlarich-station-engine-sh
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/report/j11156b-26.htm

Regards,
Neil

 

[ac6000cw]

Note that there were originally two stations in Crianlarich - 'Upper' on the North British line to Fort William, and 'Lower' on the Caledonian line to Oban - you can see this on the posted map.

In 1965 the ex-Caledonian line via Callander was closed east of Crianlarich and the Lower station closed to passengers, with Oban trains then using the ex-North British route to/from Glasgow.

At the grouping in 1923 the two lines passed to the LMS and LNER, so there is plenty of scope for motive power variety in the area from a modelling view point