|
Above:
'And
now for something completely different ...' Bob Prigg is a regular
contributor to these pages, but in September 2006 travelled to Keswick
to complete a sponsored walk in the Lake District to raise money
for Water Aid.
Bob takes up the story: 'The circuit was around 9 miles with 2,700
ft. of climbing. This was a tough challenge for the majority who
had never ventured on to a mountain before, let alone take on a
circuit. Our team consisted of nine taking on Great Dodd, whilst
we had another team of ten taking on Pillar in the North Western
Lakes.' Water Aid exists to supply safe water and sanitation to
the third world and has helped 4 million people since it was founded
do click on the link above and have a look at the charity's
website. P.S. Keswick also has a great railway path to Threlkeld!
(Bob Prigg)
|
|
|
Above:
In
October, Bob and friends explored the former railway line from Stranraer
to Dumfries, known by generations of railwaymen as 'The
Port Road'. The highlight of the route was to be found just around
the curve visible in the distance (see below). As can be seen, the
scenery is impressive, and would have made this a memorable railway
journey prior to the line's closure in June 1965. Stranraer is still
served by rail, but trains travelling from Dumfries must now take
a huge diversion via Kilmarnock and Troon. October 2006. (Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above:
This was the highlight of the direct rail journey from Stranraer
to Dumfries Big Water of Fleet Viaduct. An impression of the
viaduct's size can be gained from the shadows straddling the valley
below. As can seen, the viaduct was strengthened with bricks and old
rails to cope with the volume of traffic that formerly used it. As
far as we are aware, the viaduct is now owned by Sustrans, the cycle
path charity, and is open for walking despite the 'private
property' signs left behind by British Rail. The viaduct was lucky
to survive since the army was keen to demolish it as a training exercise,
as it did with the neighbouring Little Water of Fleet Viaduct. October
2006. (Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above:
This and the next photograph give a clear impression of how Big
Water of Fleet Viaduct dominates the local landscape. It begs the
question: 'How could the line be closed if its traffic volumes required
the principal viaduct to be reinforced like this?' The Port Road certainly
provided the fastest route to England for passengers and freight traffic
coming off the Larne-Stranraer ferries. October 2006. (Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: Big
Water of Fleet Viaduct again. The reinforcements do the
structure no favours from an aesthetic point of view, so perhaps
we will be lucky
enough, one day, to find a picture of the viaduct before it was strengthened.
It looks as if it was once a very elegant structure. October
2006.
(Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: Loch
Skerrow Halt was a passing loop on the line between Big Water of Fleet
and Castle Douglas. Because of the loop, it was provided with a signal
box and water tower, although the locality was (and remains) very
remote. The halt was used mainly by railway staff and fishermen coming
to try their luck in the nearby loch. These are the remains of the
westbound platform, which provides a useful causeway for anyone wishing
to keep their feet out of the waterlogged trackbed. October 2006.
(Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: This is Stroan Viaduct, a four-arch structure
which carried the Port Road over the Black Water of Dee, just west
of New Galloway. New Galloway was an optimistically named station,
in the best tradition of Victorian railway companies New Galloway
was 5 miles distant, which resulted in locals referring to the station
as Mossdale, after the village in which it was situated. October 2006.
(Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: Loch Stroan, from which Stroan Viaduct
takes its name. While the mountains are a little restrained here,
this is a classic Scottish scene all it really needs is a castle
in the distance, reflecting in the loch's still waters. We'll ask
Bob to do better next time. However, joking apart, the contents of
this page give a good indication as to why exploring old railways
can be so rewarding. October 2006. (Bob Prigg) |