Isle of Mull Railway - History

History

In 1975, the then-owner of Torosay Castle, David James decided to open the house and gardens to the public. Local businessman Graham Ellis, a railway enthusiast, suggested that a narrow-gauge railway might be the ideal way to transport visitors from the ferry terminal 1+1⁄₂ mi (2.4 km) away, whilst also becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.

Although Planning permission was granted in 1975, it was not until April 1982 that construction got under way. The line was completed in May 1983, with the first test run taking place on the 22nd of that month. The first experimental service started on 18 August 1983 with the official opening of the line taking place on 22 June the following year. Up to 2010, the line had carried over 25,000 passengers per annum.

In 2010, Torosay Castle was advertised for sale. Due to uncertainty over the future of the estate, the Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Company announced the formal closure of the line on 28 October 2010 but see above. The company stated that it intended to investigate alternative sites that the railway could be relocated to.

On 4 December 2010, a special "last day" was held. Ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne supported the last day by offering a special ticket deal to Mull, and issued commemorative posters. The final train was driven by the line's founders, Martin Eastwood and Graham Ellis. It was double headed by Lady of the Lake and Victoria, with Lady of the Lake bearing the Balamory Express headboard. Every carriage on the line was in the train.

The closure of the Isle of Mull Railway was described by the local Federation of Small Businesses tourism representative as "a significant blow to the tourist economy, not just on the Isle of Mull but the mainland too". Chris James, the owner of Torosay Castle, criticised the operators of the Isle of Mull Railway in a Scottish newspaper. He claimed that he had "let them play trains for 30 years free of charge".

In 2011, it was reported that the sale of Torosay Castle was not to go ahead. The castle was to open on 45 days in 2011, against 245 previously. The reduction in opening days meant that it would not be viable to operate the railway, although the track remained in situ as of March. Locomotives Glen Audlyn and Lady of the Isles were reported to have been removed to the mainland for safe keeping.

A limited service operated over the Easter 2011 holiday and again from Friday 27 May 2011 until Thursday 1 September 2011. The final trains ran on 1st of September 2011 hauled by the steam locomotive Victoria. Victoria was removed on the 8th of September to the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway in Staffordshire where she was used at their steam gala and she remains there in storage and will be used from time to time to keep her in working order. A possible move of the whole railway to Balloch on Loch Lomond was reported in July 2011. The proposal was to lay the line on the trackbed of the former North Clyde Line between the former Balloch Central and Balloch Pier stations, which closed in 1986. The line was to connect with the pier from where the paddle steamer Maid of the Loch will operate when she returns to service in 2013. As of July 2011, discussions were taking place between the owners of the Isle of Mull Railway and Scottish Enterprise about the plans to relocate the railway. A formal feasibility study was undertaken. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Loch Lomond Shores complex and West Dunbartonshire Council were consulted about the proposal, with the response described at "very encouraging". However, the porposal failed to go ahead due to concerns that the rolling stock would have insufficient capacity to cater for amount of passengers expected. The track is to be lifted and all assets of the railway will be sold.