Narrow Gauge Pleasure

Mull Rail

Craignure station with The ferry departing for Oban

The Railway Today

Located in one of the most beautiful and rugged parts of Britain, Mull Rail is a 1.25 mile narrow gauge railway. Built to the diminutive gauge of 260mm this line could be lumped in with modern amusement park railways which are not covered by Narrow Gauge Pleasure, the line qualifies for inclusion because it was built with a serious purpose in mind (and because I like it!).

The Railway exists to transport visitors from the ferry terminal at Craignure, where visitors from the mainland arrive, to Torosay Castle and Gardens, one of Mull's major attractions. The journey carries visitors gently through the picturesque Mull countryside with views across the sound embracing the hills of Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Ben Cruachan, some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Britain.

Passengers on the railway travel in coaches as comfortable as 260mm gauge vehicles are ever likely to be, although these are obviously diminutive compared to those of larger narrow gauge railways. There is some accommodation for wheel chair passengers but it is probably wise to contact the railway in advance if you need to use this so that they can marshal a suitable vehicle on the train you plan to take.

Passenger trains are normally hauled by one of the railway's two steam engines, these are built along the lines of a miniature 2' gauge locomotive and are fascinating machines. Victoria is a 2.6.2 Tank engine and at 2.5 tonnes weight is thought to be the largest and most powerful 260mm gauge engine built to date.

Combined tickets for the ferry and rail journey can be obtained from Caledonian MacBrayne in Oban, at the time of writing these represent a saving over buying the rail and ferry tickets separately.

History and Origins

In 1975 the decision was taken to open Torosay Castle and Gardens on the Isle of Mull to the public. It soon became apparent that the walk of almost two miles from the pier was deterring many visitors (arriving by ferry from Oban) from ever reaching the Castle. Rather than provide a rather dull and boring bus service (which would have meant building a suitable road!) a narrow gauge railway was decided upon and 260mm (10.25") gauge deemed to be just large enough to provide a practical transport service whilst minimising costs by adopting a gauge which was small but which was in use elsewhere and so had some equipment already available.

Throughout railway history construction has been plagued by as many political and financial difficulties as engineering ones, this railway was to be no exception. By April 1982 the support of the Highlands and Islands Development Board had been secured and construction was able to commence. Engineering difficulties included a peat bog, which the railway crossed on a foundation of 'geotextile' material, a plastic woven fabric manufactured for the construction industry. This is not a new idea, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway crossed Chat Moss on bundles of Birch Twigs in the 1820's.

On 22nd June 1984 the Railway was officially opened by Chris Green, General Manager of Scotrail (although it had already carried many passengers) and the line now carries 25-30,000 passengers a year and seems unlikely to look back.