Connel Ferry - for a very small place full of railway interest!

The Connel cantilever bridge - all photos taken on 17th June 2021

The small village of Connel is still an important junction, even though the branch line to Ballachulish closed long ago in 1966. Today it remains an important junction for road users, being the point on the A85 to Oban where the A828 breaks away and heads north to Fort William. But how to cross the large body of water known as Loch Etive? Easy, use the former Connel rail/road bridge, now just there for road traffic.


Built in 1903 by Arrol's Bridge & Roof Company, the bridge was provided to take the Callendar & Oban's new Ballchulish branch over the narrow part of Loch Etive at the Falls of Lora. Initially just a railway bridge in 1909 a new service was introduced to transport cars between Connel Ferry station and Benderloch, an early example of a roll-on, roll-off train service perhaps? In 1914 a roadway was added to the bridge, and traffic was controlled as would a level crossing, as both could not occupy the bridge at the same time. Once the line to Ballachulsih closed the bridge was then available for the exclusive use of rubber-tired vehicles only, albeit only enough room for single line traffic, and today it remains in use this way, controlled by traffic lights. The bridge was only the second cantilever bridge in existence at the time of construction, after the famous Forth Bridge. It may be much smaller but is still an impressive sight as it comes into view on your journey towards Oban on the A85, and is a lot of fun to drive over.

Scotrail Class 156 no. 156499 arrives with the 17.05 Dalmally to Oban train - the island platform was to the right.

Although now demolished, Connel Ferry station once had an additional island platform, one side being the down platform, and the other being used for Ballachulish trains. After that line closed in 1966 it fell into disuse and was completely demolished in 1985. Much of the Ballachulsih branch has been brought back into use as a dedicated cycle route, and as you drive up the A828 to Fort William you are very much aware of its presence.

Is this an original BR Scottish Region totem? Seen nearby.

Sidings still exist at Connel Ferry station, although these remain out of use. They were installed in 1968 when an oil storage depot was built, comprising storage tanks and two sidings. A run-round loop was also installed, controlled from a ground frame. I think traffic to here from Grangemouth must have ended in the 1980s or 90s. They are all a bit overgrown now, although the storage depot remains in use by local West Highland company Gleaner.

Gleaner Oil's storage depot alongside the station, with sidings still in place.

Today the station is just another stop on the Oban branch, in fact, the last stop before the end of the line. A single platform suffices and there are no buildings or facilities to speak of. But it is clear to me that this was once a busy location and held lots of interest for the enthusiast to explore. It was an interesting distraction to be able to explore some of the remaining evidence of a more active railway past.