Blair Atholl Train Station
For the village of Blair Athol, the arrival of the Steam Train in 1863 and its continued service to the area (albeit with more modern trains) has had a far greater impact on the lives of those who lived there than anyone could have expected. In fact, on the day that the first steam train pulled into Blair Athol on Wednesday 9th, 1863, things got off to a rocky start, with a north-bound goods train that was stuck down the line preventing any south-bound passenger trains from travelling. This enraged frustrated passengers and caused chaos on the line which, only one week later, smoothly transported Queen Victoria herself to the village on a visit to her friends the Duke and Duchess of Atholl at Blair Castle.
Though off to an ungracious start, the new trainline soon became a staple for those in the area, with one train that ran from Blair Athol to Kingussie nick-named ‘Housewives choice’, as it picked up railway workers, their wives and children from isolated cottages along the line and allowed them to head into town for shopping opportunities and social occasions. The line also offered significant employment prospects to locals as, due to its location, it became the base for trains to take on water and to store special engines designed to successfully carry trains up and over the famed Drummochter Pass, the highest main line in Britain. At one point, the railway had a staff of as many as 70.
Information courtesy of the Highland Main Line Rail Community Partnership.
Blair Atholl Train Station
For the village of Blair Athol, the arrival of the Steam Train in 1863 and its continued service to the area (albeit with more modern trains) has had a far greater impact on the lives of those who lived there than anyone could have expected. In fact, on the day that the first steam train pulled into Blair Athol on Wednesday 9th, 1863, things got off to a rocky start, with a north-bound goods train that was stuck down the line preventing any south-bound passenger trains from travelling. This enraged frustrated passengers and caused chaos on the line which, only one week later, smoothly transported Queen Victoria herself to the village on a visit to her friends the Duke and Duchess of Atholl at Blair Castle.
Though off to an ungracious start, the new trainline soon became a staple for those in the area, with one train that ran from Blair Athol to Kingussie nick-named ‘Housewives choice’, as it picked up railway workers, their wives and children from isolated cottages along the line and allowed them to head into town for shopping opportunities and social occasions. The line also offered significant employment prospects to locals as, due to its location, it became the base for trains to take on water and to store special engines designed to successfully carry trains up and over the famed Drummochter Pass, the highest main line in Britain. At one point, the railway had a staff of as many as 70.
Information courtesy of the Highland Main Line Rail Community Partnership.
