Station code KYL 2011/12 66,272 Number of platforms 2 | Grid reference NG762271 2012/13 66,828 | |
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Similar Duncraig railway station, Falls of Glomach, Plockton railway station, Stromeferry railway station, Duirinish railway station | ||
Kyle of lochalsh railway station 1998
Kyle of Lochalsh railway station is the terminus of the Kyle of Lochalsh Line in the village of Kyle of Lochalsh in the Highlands, northern Scotland.
Contents
The station is located next to the piers that used to offer sailings to Skye, the ferries being superseded by the Skye Bridge that lies close to the station.
History
The station was opened on 2 November 1897 by the Highland Railway, following the completion of the extension of the Dingwall and Skye Railway from Stromeferry. The extension took more than four years to complete due to the unforgiving nature of the terrain through which it was driven - 29 bridges had to be constructed and more than 30 cuttings excavated through solid rock, which led to it costing £20,000 per mile (making it the most expensive rail route to be built in the UK at the time). As built, the station consisted of a broad island platform on a pier next to the water's edge and a chalet-style station building close to the western end. Access to the station was (and still is) via a sloping access road. Several sidings were provided, along with a signal box and small locomotive shed.
The signal box closed in 1984, when Radio Electronic Token Block working was introduced on the line by British Rail - although no longer operational it is still intact and has been adapted for use as a holiday cottage. Both platforms however remain, though only the southern face (platform 1) is normally used by passenger trains. Three sidings are also still intact, including a run-round loop for loco-hauled trains alongside platform 1 and a loading bank siding adjacent to this (which has seen use by timber trains in recent years). Access to each of the sidings and platform 2 is by means of ground frames.
Services
There are four daily departures from the station to Dingwall and Inverness during the week and either one (winter) or two (summer) services on Sundays.