Mull & West Highland Railway

We have been given a position statement by the Directors which is now on the ten and a quarter inch railway society website. The link can be found at:
http://www.ten-and-a-quarter-railway-society.co.uk/index.htm
You will see that the search for a new site continues.

Mike Hanson
www.rlsr.org

 

Just a quick update to say that trains ran on Mull at Easter and are likley to agin at the late May & August Bank holidays. Check the website for details: http://www.mullrail.co.uk/
The overall position however has not changed much.
Mike Hanson
www.rlsr.org

 

2nd attempt to update this thread.
The Mull railway ran services at Easter and hopes to do so again at the late May & August Bank holidays. See their website for details.

Mike
www.rlsr.org

 

Yesterday at the agm of the ten and quarter inch railway society I was very pleased as my final act as Chairman to present to Mike Bettridge a Director of the Mull and West Highland railway the award for miniature railway of the year for 2010.
Mull deservedly won from the railways nominated to recognise their achievement in running a daily summer train service over 25 years in remote location, providing employment and support to the local tourist industry.
There will be more information on the ten and a quater railway website soon.

We also got an update on Mull which will have some running in its final season at whit bank holiday, July, August and August bank holiday. This will be the final chance before becoming the ? and West Highland Railway.

Mike Hanson
www.rlsr.org

 

Just to note that Thursday 1st of September will be the last day of operation of the railway on Mull with Victoria taking the final trains. Victoria should then move to Rudyard Lake for our steam Gala next weekend

 

Re: Mull & West Highland Railway- Lifting & Sale

Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway

Press Release

The following statement has been issued on behalf of the directors of Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Co. Ltd.

“With the imminent ending of the Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway’s ground lease at Torosay and no forthcoming interest in retaining the line, the directors have taken the reluctant decision to lift, remove and dispose of their Isle of Mull assets.

It had been hoped that a purchaser of the castle would look sympathetically upon the railway as a valid tourist attraction and either take over the operation on Mull or allow its continuance with a new lease and license to operate. However it is understood that the castle and grounds have now been sold and the agents have advised that the railway is no longer welcome.

Extensive discussions with local authorities, the National Park and Scottish Enterprise investigated an alternative location at Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond but time has run out for the move to the West Bank in Balloch. A recent assessment of potential passenger volumes shows that a 10¼” gauge line would have difficulty in coping with the requirements of this proposed community rail link from Balloch village to Lomond Shores. It is hoped that the extensive work done to date by the Mull team will be diverted now to progressing the Balloch/Lomond Shores proposal but with equipment capable of greater capacity.

The railway’s directors are therefore now seeking serious buyers for their 10¼” gauge locomotives, coaches, 1.5 miles of track and ancillary equipment.

Interested parties should contact the company at: info@mullrail.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

Full services were suspended at the end of the 2010 season. Last year a skeleton service was run.

The lots include two locomotives;

Steam engine Victoria 2-6-2T. Built by Mouse Boiler Works in 1993.

Frances, a Bo-Bo Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive completed in 2000.

In addition

13 coaches,
1.5 miles of track,
17 points,
spare rail,
tools and ancillary equipment.


The steam locomotive Victoria is at Rudyard Lake Steam Railway Steam Train Days Out @ Rudyard Lake Steam Railway Staffordshire . If you want to view it you must contact us by email at info@rlsr.org or Mull first or you will have a wasted journey.

 

Re: Mull & West Highland Railway- Lifting & Sale

The track and most of the equipment from Mull has been sold for eventual use elswhere in Scotland on a proposed new railway. The track has now largely been lifted.

The steam engine Victoria has not been sold and will be readvertised soon with a closing date for offers in December. It is currently with us at Rudyard Lake Steam Railway and will be used for the last time at our Steam Gala this weekend September 22 & 23rd before moving elswhere into store.The steam locomotive Victoria is at Rudyard Lake Steam Railway Steam Train Days Out @ Rudyard Lake Steam Railway Staffordshire If you want to view Victoria you must contact Mull first at info@mullrail.co.uk or you will have a wasted journey. Just turning up at Rudyard will not be accepted.