Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway
Encyclopedia
The Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway was a never-completed light railway
linking Cromarty
in the Black Isle
, Ross and Cromarty
, Scotland
to the Highland Railway
system at Conon.
, the northern portion was left "somewhat off the beaten track." A light railway running from Cromarty
to Dingwall
was proposed in 1897, as part of a wider programme to expand the Highland's network, to remedy this situation. The original scheme crossed the River Conon
via "a bridge of considerable size" at Alcaig
. However, a "fierce discussion" arose over whether the line should instead join the Highland Railway at Conon, avoiding the cost of the bridge. The dispute was resolved in favour of the Conon option when the Light Railway Commission "refused all assistance" if the Alcaig bridge were adopted.
A Light Railway Order was obtained on August 1, 1902. However, further delays had arisen while the line's promoters negotiated with the Highland Railway to enable trains to continue over its tracks from Conon Bridge to Dingwall, and this situation was not resolved until after the order was issued. Construction eventually began from the Cromarty end, rather than from the junction, due to "[c]onsiderable difficulty in the acquisition of certain lands." Moreover, progress was slow, and Extension of Time Orders were obtained in 1907 and 1910.
By 1914, about six miles of track had been constructed at the Cromarty end, and works, including a "substantial bridge" at Cullicudden Farm, were well advanced on an additional two miles, although work had not commenced on the remaining 11 miles. Work was suspended at the outbreak of World War I
and the track lifted "about a year later" for use elsewhere. No further action was taken to complete the line.
Stations were planned at Cromarty, Newhall, Drumcudden, Culbokie and Alcaig.
Light railway
Light railway refers to a railway built at lower costs and to lower standards than typical "heavy rail". This usually means the railway uses lighter weight track, and is more steeply graded and tightly curved to avoid civil engineering costs...
linking Cromarty
Cromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
in the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....
, Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to the Highland Railway
Highland Railway
The Highland Railway was one of the smaller British railways before the Railways Act 1921; it operated north of Perth railway station in Scotland and served the farthest north of Britain...
system at Conon.
History
Although the southern coast of the Black Isle had been served since 1894 by the Highland Railway's Fortrose BranchFortrose Branch
Fortrose Branch, also known as the Black Isle Railway is an historic railway in Scotland.-History:Authorisation was obtained on 4 July 1890 to build a 15.75 mile branch line from Muir of Ord to Rosemarkie; however the line never proceeded beyond Fortrose.* 1 February 1894 - Opened .* 1 January...
, the northern portion was left "somewhat off the beaten track." A light railway running from Cromarty
Cromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
to Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
was proposed in 1897, as part of a wider programme to expand the Highland's network, to remedy this situation. The original scheme crossed the River Conon
River Conon
The River Conon is a river in the Highlands of Scotland. It begins at Loch Luichart, and flows in a south-easterly direction to be joined by the River Meig at Scatwell before passing through Loch Achonachie...
via "a bridge of considerable size" at Alcaig
Alcaig
Alcaig is a village located close to Conon Bridge in Dingwall, Ross-shire in Highland, and is within the Scottish council area of Highland....
. However, a "fierce discussion" arose over whether the line should instead join the Highland Railway at Conon, avoiding the cost of the bridge. The dispute was resolved in favour of the Conon option when the Light Railway Commission "refused all assistance" if the Alcaig bridge were adopted.
A Light Railway Order was obtained on August 1, 1902. However, further delays had arisen while the line's promoters negotiated with the Highland Railway to enable trains to continue over its tracks from Conon Bridge to Dingwall, and this situation was not resolved until after the order was issued. Construction eventually began from the Cromarty end, rather than from the junction, due to "[c]onsiderable difficulty in the acquisition of certain lands." Moreover, progress was slow, and Extension of Time Orders were obtained in 1907 and 1910.
By 1914, about six miles of track had been constructed at the Cromarty end, and works, including a "substantial bridge" at Cullicudden Farm, were well advanced on an additional two miles, although work had not commenced on the remaining 11 miles. Work was suspended at the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the track lifted "about a year later" for use elsewhere. No further action was taken to complete the line.
Stations were planned at Cromarty, Newhall, Drumcudden, Culbokie and Alcaig.
Connections to other lines
- Inverness and Ross-shire RailwayInverness and Ross-shire RailwayThe Inverness and Ross-shire Railway was incorporated on 3 July 1860 with the aim to build a line to Invergordon. The line opened in stages:* 11 June 1862 - Inverness to Dingwall* 23 March 1863 - Dingwall to Invergordon...
at Conon