cactustwirly
Established Member
Just went from Arrochar to Oban on the WHL. I didn't go to Fort William because the timings didn't work out. On Thursday I will be going to Mallaig from Spean Bridge.
I will post a more detailed report and photos when I get home.
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The Mallaig section is very scenic and I recommend it. I also took a ton of photos
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Here is my report for both days:
I started the day at around 8am when I got ready and had a pleasant breakfast (with Haggis pudding!) at the hotel. I got to Arrochar & Tarbet station at 9am. Where I caught the 0936 train to Oban(& Mallaig) I wanted to get to the station early so that I didn't miss the train (the next one was at 1201) the train was formed of 2 class 156 units. I got on Saltire liveried 156492. The rear unit was an unidentified Barbie 156. I got a nice table seat at the front. The rear coach had seat reservations. We set off right on time and soon passed Loch Lomond. Until we arrived at Ardlui, where a few people got on. Next we arrived at Crianlarich where the train divided. A lot of people got on here. We set off towards Oban. The weather was quite wet, but the line was scenic. My favourite part is the pass of Brander just after Falls of Cruachan. When we arrived at Oban it had stopped raining. I looked round for a few hours before heading back to the station. I caught the 1441 service to Glasgow QS formed of Barbie livery 156472. Again the rear coach was reserved, so I got a nice table seat in the front coach. The train departed on time. We were delayed at Taynuilt because we had to wait for a late running service to pass us. After Taynuilt it started raining again. However it didn't spoil the scenery. We arrived at Crianlarich where we joined the 'mainline' and carried on past Loch Lomond until Arrochar where I alighted. Waiting on the opposite platform was an 'Alcan' train bound for Fort William.
For my next journey I started at Spean Bridge where I caught the 1155 train to Mallaig. It was formed of Barbie livery 156456 and Saltire livery 156499. I found it difficult to find a seat because only 1 coach (on 156456) was unreserved and it was full. However when we arrived at Fort William most people got off, so I was able to get a table seat. However a lot of people got on here.
The line heads out of Fort William before branching towards the left past Inverlochy depot and over the bridge, before reaching Banavie. The train continues onwards, reaching Corpach, on the shores of Loch Linnhe. We continue, passing the wood processing plant. We then reach Loch Eil, where we run along it for most of it's length before climbing towards Glenfinnan. Here the tourists take pictures of the viaduct. The line descends reaching Loch Eilt. This is my favourite part with Mountains, a Loch and mysterious floating trees. The line gets more windy before reaching Lochailort. This is the only request stop we stop at. After that the line reaches the sea. Where we climb towards Arisaig. Next the line heads northeast towards Mallaig passing Morar on the way. We reach Mallaig at 1334. The train stays here until it heads back at 1605. On the opposite platform there is the Jacobite steam train. The platform was quite busy. I looked round the harbour before having a DIY fish sandwich from both the Co-op (for the bread) and the station fish & chip shop (for the fish). Finally I retired to a coffee shop until 1530 when everything closed. So I headed back to the station. When I got there the train was locked and dead. So I had to wait on a cold and increasingly busy platform until the doors were released. I noticed there were less reservations this time, only the rear train (156499) was reserved stood outside the middle set of doors on the front unit so I could be first on. When the train roared into life and the doors released I grabbed a table seat facing forwards. This time the train didn't stop at any request stops. We arrived at Spean Bridge on time at 1751.
Both journeys were scenic and worth doing. The Mallaig portion was the most scenic, however I would recommend doing it in the Winter when there are less tourists. I particularly liked the jointed track. I also found the class 156s quite comfortable.
I also found out that you cannot get day returns, only returns which are valid for a month.
I will post a more detailed report and photos when I get home.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The Mallaig section is very scenic and I recommend it. I also took a ton of photos
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Here is my report for both days:
I started the day at around 8am when I got ready and had a pleasant breakfast (with Haggis pudding!) at the hotel. I got to Arrochar & Tarbet station at 9am. Where I caught the 0936 train to Oban(& Mallaig) I wanted to get to the station early so that I didn't miss the train (the next one was at 1201) the train was formed of 2 class 156 units. I got on Saltire liveried 156492. The rear unit was an unidentified Barbie 156. I got a nice table seat at the front. The rear coach had seat reservations. We set off right on time and soon passed Loch Lomond. Until we arrived at Ardlui, where a few people got on. Next we arrived at Crianlarich where the train divided. A lot of people got on here. We set off towards Oban. The weather was quite wet, but the line was scenic. My favourite part is the pass of Brander just after Falls of Cruachan. When we arrived at Oban it had stopped raining. I looked round for a few hours before heading back to the station. I caught the 1441 service to Glasgow QS formed of Barbie livery 156472. Again the rear coach was reserved, so I got a nice table seat in the front coach. The train departed on time. We were delayed at Taynuilt because we had to wait for a late running service to pass us. After Taynuilt it started raining again. However it didn't spoil the scenery. We arrived at Crianlarich where we joined the 'mainline' and carried on past Loch Lomond until Arrochar where I alighted. Waiting on the opposite platform was an 'Alcan' train bound for Fort William.
For my next journey I started at Spean Bridge where I caught the 1155 train to Mallaig. It was formed of Barbie livery 156456 and Saltire livery 156499. I found it difficult to find a seat because only 1 coach (on 156456) was unreserved and it was full. However when we arrived at Fort William most people got off, so I was able to get a table seat. However a lot of people got on here.
The line heads out of Fort William before branching towards the left past Inverlochy depot and over the bridge, before reaching Banavie. The train continues onwards, reaching Corpach, on the shores of Loch Linnhe. We continue, passing the wood processing plant. We then reach Loch Eil, where we run along it for most of it's length before climbing towards Glenfinnan. Here the tourists take pictures of the viaduct. The line descends reaching Loch Eilt. This is my favourite part with Mountains, a Loch and mysterious floating trees. The line gets more windy before reaching Lochailort. This is the only request stop we stop at. After that the line reaches the sea. Where we climb towards Arisaig. Next the line heads northeast towards Mallaig passing Morar on the way. We reach Mallaig at 1334. The train stays here until it heads back at 1605. On the opposite platform there is the Jacobite steam train. The platform was quite busy. I looked round the harbour before having a DIY fish sandwich from both the Co-op (for the bread) and the station fish & chip shop (for the fish). Finally I retired to a coffee shop until 1530 when everything closed. So I headed back to the station. When I got there the train was locked and dead. So I had to wait on a cold and increasingly busy platform until the doors were released. I noticed there were less reservations this time, only the rear train (156499) was reserved stood outside the middle set of doors on the front unit so I could be first on. When the train roared into life and the doors released I grabbed a table seat facing forwards. This time the train didn't stop at any request stops. We arrived at Spean Bridge on time at 1751.
Both journeys were scenic and worth doing. The Mallaig portion was the most scenic, however I would recommend doing it in the Winter when there are less tourists. I particularly liked the jointed track. I also found the class 156s quite comfortable.
I also found out that you cannot get day returns, only returns which are valid for a month.
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I prefer the high-backed seats on other 156s but also enjoy the heritage of Ashbourne seats.
