The train now approaching Oban . . .

. . . is the 1037 from Glasgow Queen Street. I was down at the station at 13.43 to meet Mrs M off the Glasgow train. The building of the line from Callander was beset with all the usual difficulties, including finance, and finally reached its destination on 30th June 1880. Travelling in a wide sweep around the south end of Loch Lomond it follows the loch shore for a way before bearing west at Crianlarich, around the end of Loch Awe and after transversing some wonderful scenery, finally descending steeply into Oban. It really is a classic railway journey!

Behind the train you can see the wonderful curved and stepped tenement in Alma Crescent, now a Category C listed building. The whole of the area now occupied by the railway and the ferry terminal was reclaimed from the sea to allow the station and railway yards to be built. Shore Street used to be fronting the shore, but is now much further away from the sea!     

If you want to learn something useless you know where to come!