West Highland Line

[Gay Crusader]

I am spending a few days in Fort William in the summer and intend to take the train from Fort William to Crianlarich and back just to sample the West Highland Line. Has anyone done this recently? what type of motive power is used? where is it best to sit to take in all the sites, 'The Horseshoe' being one I particularly want to see.

[60041]

This is a "must do" trip, however if you can spare the time it is worth doing the whole trip as the section south from Crianlarich along Loch Lomond and Loch Long is also very scenic. It does not cost much more than a Fort William - Crianlarich return, last summer a day return Fort William - Glasgow cost £23, it does require you catching the up train at 07.30 though! The early departure does have the advantage of being relatively quiet and you will find a seat, something that can be a problem on later trains in the summer as overcrowding can be a problem.
I found the best seat is facing forward on the right hand side for the southbound trip, as this gives you the best views of the Monessie Gorge and Loch Treig as well as the Horseshoe curve, Loch Long and the Clyde.
If you do go all the way to Glasgow, there is time to nip round the corner from Queen St to Whetherspoons for a pie and a pint before you catch the train back again, but make sure you are in very good time for the train or you will not get a seat.
The trains are class 156 Sprinters, which are rather boring but comfortable enough and most seats have a reasonable view.
While you are in the area, it is also worth visiting the excellent museum at Glenfinnan Station and the restaurant in the Station at Spean Bridge.

[65447]

While you are in the area, it is also worth visiting the excellent museum at Glenfinnan Station and the restaurant in the Station at Spean Bridge.

The museum is not large but worth a visit; it will cost you a few pounds though. Also check opening times, as the chap who owns it is usually to be found on the 'Jacobite' and he relies on help during the season.

On no account should you take up the recommendation about the restaurant at Spean Bridge station. It has not been the same since Richard Bunney sold the lease around 5 years ago, although I understand that the present folks running it are not as bad as the couple who took over from Richard!

The advice is good about which side to sit is good though - generally on the left from Glasgow or the right from the Fort. That only fails to work when the train crosses over north of Helensburgh, when Loch Lomond is on the other side, and in the run in to the Fort when Aonoch Moor and the Ben are to the left, but the Great Glen, Distillery, Alcan plant, and view westward over the Loch are to the right. Most days it's possible to swap sides, except during the high season.

[richard]

Yes the Museum was closed when we dropped by a few years back. But it was New Year's Day! (the cable car up Ben Nevis was working though)


Richard

[Gay Crusader]

I did this back in May (don't get on here very often!) and it was well worth it, went from Fort William to Crianlarich and back, it was brilliant, those Highland stations, the snow shed, the horseshoe and so much more, it certainly is a must do.