Doug Copley's Lineside Images
'Doug Copley's Lineside Images' are 68 titles filmed 1980's, 1990's & 2000's variously 12-90 minutes long. They come with Doug's own commentary and tend to follow lines of route, or particular workings, filmed over multiple return visits.
Doug's videos often include interludes of impressively vocal bird song!
In Alfred Hitchcock (filmmaker) style, Doug occasionally makes brief cameo appearances in his own films.
Doug Copley
Doug gave annual shows to Peak Rail Sheffield Branch. When he died in 2008 his films were kindly made available to the Peak Railway Association by his family so that appreciative enthusiasts can continue to enjoy his work in his memory.
During his working life as a steelworks commissioning engineer he travelled extensively and the collection includes South America, South Africa, India, Turkey (steam), and Australia. The UK collection includes many secondary lines, and also industrial railways. A treasure trove.
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The Oban Line (1986) (12 min) includes sound and commentary, and is the journey from Oban to Crianlarich, and the intermediate stops.
Filmed in the era of large-logo Class 37s and the DMU nick-named the 'Mexican Bean', the film opens with a departing MacBrayne's ferry viewed from Oban esplanade.
You then see:-
the new station building. The original building and 2 of the platforms have since given way to retail and a new Premier Inn. Timber is being loaded to rail in the station siding.
37411 arrives on the 08:06 from Glasgow with glimpses of McCaig's Folly and also the old station still extant, but now trackless.
the 'Mexican Bean' departs for Crianlarich. It is later seen on the tail of a class 37 hauled service train. Was this a scheduled move, or due to failure?
setting off for Crianlarich, first call is Connel Ferry with its mini 'Forth Bridge' over Loch Etive. Now road only, originally a combined road and rail bridge carrying the branch to Ballachulish.
Doug rates Connel Ferry halt 'of little visual interest'. We do not see it.
Taynuilt and Dalmelly are the only 2 passing places in the 42 miles between Oban and Crianlarich. At Taynuilt 37423 bound for Glasgow.
into the narrow Pass of Brander, prone to rockfalls. For protection there are semaphore signals normally in the 'off' position, but which return to danger if the network of 'activating' wires are disturbed.
Falls of Cruachan request halt.
Loch Awe station with the Colditz-like Loch Awe Hotel above. The passing loop has been removed and 37423 is Oban bound.
lengthy rail bridge across the head of Loch Awe.
Dalmelly station with a passing loop and overshadowed by Ben Lui. 37412 calls en route to Glasgow, and then a train of oil tankers bound for Oban. Later in the day, steam-heat 37260 is Oban-bound with 'Royal Scotsman' private charter including some vintage stock and with an observation car at the rear. It is held for the Class 37/4 Oban-Glasgow service train to pass.
landscape views on the flanks of Ben Lui before the line crosses the summit and descends through Glen Lochy to Tyndrum. The 'Mexican Bean' is seen now on the tail of a Class 37 hauled service train.
a track lengthman patrols his section near Tyndrum.
Tyndrum Lower. 37401 'Mary Queen of Scots' calls at the single platform en route to Oban.
'Royal Scotsman' returns down the gradient toward Crianlarich and once clear, a westbound Class 37 Glasgow-Oban runs up Strathfillan, with Tyndrum Upper and the West Highland Line across the valley.
Crianlarich, and 37402 heading to Glasgow ends this film, with the signalman using a bicycle to deliver the single line token to the driver.
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