Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch


The Ben Cruachan Quarry Branch was a short standard gauge branch line that was built to serve a granite quarry on Ben Cruachan in Scotland. The branch connected with the Callander and Oban Railway about one kilometre east of Loch Awe railway station.

Engineering works

It was built as a zig zag railway so as to reach the quarry which was situated high on the steep mountainside.

Traffic

During construction of the West Highland Railway, material was taken by rail from this branch for the viaducts on that line.

The site today

The branch was taken out of use in 1916. Its trackbed can still be clearly traced, and many of the wooden sleepers are still in situ.