Craigcorrie & Dunalistair

Craigcorrie & Dunalistair

Ted Polet (2005)

The Craigcorrie & Dunalistair Railway is situated in the west of Scotland. Originally a coal-carrying railway linking a colliery near Inverlochan to the seaport of Dunalistair, the CDR developed into a public railway that opened up the region and caused a modest level of prosperity. All along the line small industries flourish and in addition some tourist traffic has sprung up attracted by the unspoilt scenery in the area. As a result there is more traffic over the line than normally might be expected in the sparsely populated Highlands. The theme is based upon a mix of the Campbeltown & Machrihanish and the standard gauge West Highland line. In addition elements were borrowed from the Irish narrow gauge.

The model railway is situated in a room about 3 x 2.50 metres and is the result of 35 years development during which the layout was extended at intervals. At present the oldest part is around 20 years old: the still older station of Rae Bridge has recently been rebuilt (see Rae Bridge).

By making efficient use of the available space, a large number of different scenes could be incorporated in the layout. As a result the line seems to travel from scene to scene and gives the impression of really descending from the highlands to sea level. Starting a train at scale speed at one end will see it travel for almost 10 minutes before reaching the other terminus.

The C&DR has been built to 009 standards although it uses a generous (colonial) loading gauge. Over the years a great number of locomotives and rolling stock have been built, mainly using standard N gauge chassis.

Click on the photos to enlarge. Photos by Ted Polet (TP), Mick Thornton (MT) and Jan van Mourik (JvM)


Left: the two extremes of the line are situated vertically under one another. Centre: I am watching a train by Mick Thornton enter Rae Bridge station. Right: a heavy passenger train by Mick Thornton being banked across Glenclachan viaduct by my own Sierra Leone Hunslet. The viaduct links the upper and lower levels of the layout. (MT)
	Dunalistair harbour is the lower terminus of the railway. Left: the Garratt shunting loaded coal wagons on the jetty to be discharged into the Clyde Puffer waiting below. Right: the South African 4-4-0 being turned whilst the Fort William steamer waits alongside the quay. (TP)

Left: overview of the dock area. Centre: the Garratt taking water. Right: Atlantic comes in with a heavy passenger train of Mick Thornton's Mull & Iona Railway. (MT)

Left and centre: the same train arriving at the station. Atlantic is my own (built from a Backwoods kit), Matilda on the turntable was built by Mick. Right: the same train, now hauled by Mick's Beatrice and my own Shiva, departs around the headland. (MT)
	Left: after a few minutes' hard work, the train has passed Rae Bridge and now enters the Glenclachan Gorge. Right: the train has now crossed the high viaduct and traverses Inverlochan Moor. (MT)
	Left: Jordan, another loco by Mick, passes the shores of Loch na Cailliche. Right: Atlantic with a passenger train composed of stock by Mick and myself, on the viaduct. (MT)

Left: the colliery is a nice source of income for the railway (JvM). Centre: a goods train behind Ariadne on the Moor (MT). Right: Brahma on a heavy goods passes the starting signal of Inverlochan. (JvM).