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Duke Of Sutherland^s Railway
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Former site of West Helmsdale station at Gartymore. View looks north towards Helmsdale.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/176.jpg "West Helmsdale")
![Looking south towards the closed Loth station.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/335.jpg "Loth")
![View looking south over the site of the former Helmsdale engine shed towards Helmsdale station.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/691.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale in 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/4000/4965.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale Turntable Pit, 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/4000/4967.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale. View from the footbridge looking north west. The engine shed was on the left and the turntable pit is visible. 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/4000/4969.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale looking south east, 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/4000/4971.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale. View of the main station buildings. The signal box was out of use by this date. 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/4000/4972.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale viewed from the approach road, Summer 1994.<br><br>[John Gray //]](/images/5000/5407.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Brora, in need of some love and attention.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/7000/7031.jpg "Brora")
![Token exchange at Helmsdale<br><br>[Ian Dinmore //]](/images/11000/11805.jpg "Helmsdale")
![A barrowload of parcels and mail comes off a northbound train at Helmsdale in November 1963.<br><br>[Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) /11/1963]](/images/30000/30469.jpg "Helmsdale")
![The daily Far North freight looks a little cramped as it shunts sundries traffic at Brora goods shed in the summer of 1973. At that time Brora offered a full range of rail services - passenger, parcels, mail, wagonload and less-than-wagonload (sundries).<br>
<br><br>[David Spaven //1973]](/images/27000/27937.jpg "Brora")
![The signalman at Brora mid-way through the task of clearing the section on to Rogart for the return working to Inverness of the special train run to mark the centenary of the 1874 opening of the final phase of the Far North Line.<br><br>[David Spaven 28/07/1974]](/images/33000/33184.jpg "Brora")
![Relief Signalman Dickie Paul beams from the Down platform at Brora after signalling through the return working to Inverness of the special train run to commemorate the centenary of the 28th July 1874 opening of the final phase of the Far North Line.<br><br>[David Spaven 28/07/1974]](/images/41000/41207.jpg "Brora")
![Collecting the mail off the train from Inverness at Helmsdale in 1980. [See image 35626]<br><br>[Ian Dinmore //1980]](/images/43000/43049.jpg "Helmsdale")
![As late as 1983, as many as three Royal Mail vans wait for the train from Inverness at Helmsdale.<br><br>[Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1983]](/images/35000/35626.jpg "Helmsdale")
![View southwest along the platform at Golspie in the direction of Inverness in August 1985.<br><br>[David Panton 12/08/1985]](/images/20000/20424.jpg "Golspie")
![37419 draws into Helmsdale with a southbound service in 1986.<br><br>[Bill Roberton //1986]](/images/59000/59616.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Golspie goods yard showing the coal yard still in use! The shed has since been demolished. Nearby was the Duke of Sutherlands engine shed.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1989]](/images/16000/16166.jpg "Golspie")
![Golspie looking north 1989. Since the photograph was taken the station building has been sold and rennovated.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1989]](/images/16000/16167.jpg "Golspie")
![The second station building at Dunrobin looking north. The little shed in the distance to the right of the railway was used to hold the Dukes carriage. The shed has since been demolished, but the disused bay platform at the north end remains.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1989]](/images/16000/16171.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![Brora goods shed with the passenger station beyond. The shed still stands, a little more decrepit. Taken on 31 March 1989 when the Far North Line was isolated by the Ness Viaduct collapse.<br><br>[Bill Roberton //1989]](/images/59000/59539.jpg "Brora")
![37415 on a southbound train passes and changes crew with a northbound service at Brora. This was taken on 31 March 1989 when the Far North Line was isolated by the Ness Viaduct collapse.<br><br>[Bill Roberton 31/03/1989]](/images/59000/59509.jpg "Brora")
![Looking south at Brora in August 1989 as a sprinter passes a northbound 37 hauled service.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/08/1989]](/images/12000/12624.jpg "Brora")
![Crew change at Brora in 1989 looking north.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/08/1989]](/images/12000/12633.jpg "Brora")
![Looking south at Helmsdale on 15 August 1989.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/08/1989]](/images/12000/12656.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Looking north from the footbridge at Brora as a southbound pair of Class 156 DMUs waits to pass a northbound service in August 1989. A crew change will take place here and the driver is walking towards the end of the northbound platform to await his train.<br><br>[John McIntyre 15/08/1989]](/images/37000/37682.jpg "Brora")
![View north at Helmsdale on 21 September 1993. <br><br>[Ken Browne 21/09/1993]](/images/25000/25270.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Platform view at Helmsdale station in September 1993 looking south.<br><br>[Ken Browne 21/09/1993]](/images/26000/26412.jpg "Helmsdale")
![A southbound Sprinter calls at Helmsdale on 29 December 1994.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford 29/12/1994]](/images/44000/44712.jpg "Helmsdale")
![The old turntable pit at Helmsdale in 1988, looking north.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //1998]](/images/48000/48375.jpg "Helmsdale")
![In failing light, unfortunately, the Countess of Sutherland, with John Boyle, is seen unveiling a new station sign at Dunrobin on the 28th of July 1999 to celebrate 125 years of the Far North Line. The 13th of April 2018 will be the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Sutherland Railway - the portion of the Far North Line between Ardgay and Golspie.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 28/07/1999]](/images/63000/63573.jpg "Dunrobin")
![Looking north at Dunrobin Castle.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //2002]](/images/10000/10580.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![Looking north from Dunrobin in March 2006. Alas the carriage shed has gone.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford 13/03/2006]](/images/10000/10440.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![Brora station building boarded up and a bit rundown. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11623.jpg "Brora")
![Brora station frontage. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11624.jpg "Brora")
![Brora view south. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11625.jpg "Brora")
![Brora,view north. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11626.jpg "Brora")
![Brora, old goods shed looking north. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11627.jpg "Brora")
![Brora,goods shed looking south. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11628.jpg "Brora")
![Brora build date.<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11629.jpg "Brora")
![Dunrobin Castle Halt looking north. The building is now a railway museum. 16/10/06 <br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11636.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![Dunrobin Castle halt looking south. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11637.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![Dunrobin Castle as seen from the station entrance. 16/10/06<br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11638.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![View from the footbridge towards the disused station building on the southbound platform at Helmsdale on 16 October 2006. A fine old building going to waste. <br><br>[John Gray 16/10/2006]](/images/11000/11640.jpg "Helmsdale")
![The sad remains of the once proud and busy station at Helmsdale. Photographed on 31 March 2007.<br><br>[Ian Dinmore 31/03/2007]](/images/31000/31140.jpg "Helmsdale")
![48151 arriving at Helmsdale with <I>The Great Britain</I>.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14505.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Helmsdale Station sees its biggest crowd in years as <I>The Great Britain</I> special rolls in behind 48151.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14506.jpg "Helmsdale")
![48151 at Helmsdale with <I>The Great Britain</I> awaits clearance to cross to the up platform for water.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14507.jpg "Helmsdale")
![<I>Dropping the bag</I> - 21st century style.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14514.jpg "Helmsdale")
![<i>We have got the hose, now where is the tap?</i><br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14515.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Having crossed over to the up platform the support crew gets ready to connect the hose while the slide bars get a drop of oil.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14516.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Motorised trolley and trailer for the permanent way staff. I hope it has a cab for winter use.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14518.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Motorised permanent way workers trolley. It also has two sockets supplying 110V for power tools etc.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14519.jpg "Helmsdale")
![A member of the support crew checks the water level. Helmsdale and the North Sea in the background. On the right a sprinter sneaks by on a regular working to Wick/Thurso.<br><br>[John Gray 12/04/2007]](/images/14000/14520.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Platform view looking north at Dunrobin Castle on 27 August 2007.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/16000/16612.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![View south at Dunrobin Castle on 27 August 2007, looking over the old bay.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/16000/16837.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![The boarded up station building at Helmsdale on 27 August 2007.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/16000/16963.jpg "Helmsdale")
![The old box at Helmsdale on 27 August. View north from the footbridge.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/17000/17022.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Approach to the closed station at Loth, Sutherland, in the summer of 2007. View is south west towards Brora with the Far North line running past on the left and the A9 off picture to the right. Loth station closed to passengers in June 1960.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/42000/42106.jpg "Loth")
![The closed station at Loth on the Far North line between Brora and Helmsdale. View east across fields in August 2007 - the coast lies just over the hill.<br><br>[John Furnevel 27/08/2007]](/images/42000/42213.jpg "Loth")
![The former station building at Brora with a definite <I>left to rot</I> look about it in August 2007. The circular stone inserts above the windows read <I>HR</I> and <I>1895</I> respectively. <br><br>[John Furnevel 29/08/2007]](/images/16000/16648.jpg "Brora")
![The old goods shed alongside the down platform at Brora, still standing on 29 August 2007 [see image 27937].<br><br>[John Furnevel 29/08/2007]](/images/20000/20502.jpg "Brora")
![The road approach to Brora station, seen looking north on 29 August 2007. The surviving goods shed stands in the background.<br><br>[John Furnevel 29/08/2007]](/images/20000/20503.jpg "Brora")
![158701 leaving Helmsdale for Wick and Thurso on a glorious 27 April 2011.<br><br>[Brian Smith 27/04/2011]](/images/35000/35774.jpg "Helmsdale")
![Loth Station was on the section of the Duke of Sutherland's Railway that was opened on 1st November 1870 as far as Helmsdale. The station closed to passengers on the 13th of June 1960. The original station is the stone building on the left,this is now a private residence. The wooden extension was added in 1930 and is now a shop selling antiques and collectables including old railway items. Many of the original fittings are still in place.<br><br>[John Gray 17/09/2013]](/images/44000/44634.jpg "Loth")
![158710 powers up the gradient approaching Loth Station on 17 September on the 2H57 1400 Inverness to Wick service. <br><br>[John Gray 17/09/2013]](/images/44000/44640.jpg "Loth")
![A southbound nuclear flask special crossing the bridge over the Loth Burn around five miles north of Brora on 17 September. DRS liveried 37611 leads with 37603 on rear.<br><br>[John Gray 17/09/2013]](/images/44000/44648.jpg "Loth")
![Having run round the empty stock of <I>The Cathedrals Explorer</I>, Black Five No. 44871 departs Brora for Dunrobin Castle on 12 May before heading back to Inverness.<br><br>[John Gray 12/05/2014]](/images/47000/47322.jpg "Brora")
![Black five No.44871 on its way to Brora on 12 May with the empty stock of <I>The Cathedrals Explorer</I> to run round ready for the return journey to Inverness. In the background on the left stands Dunrobin Castle.<br><br>[John Gray 12/05/2014]](/images/47000/47351.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![The 1435 departure for Inverness (1234 ex-Wick) pulling into Brora station on 16 February 2015.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 16/02/2015]](/images/50000/50380.jpg "Brora")
![At the end of the rainbow is the 1436 Brora to Inverness service, approaching Brora on 2nd March 2016.<br><br>[Brian Smith 02/03/2016]](/images/54000/54442.jpg "Brora")
![North of Brora, The Far North Line runs along the east coast until it reaches Helmsdale then turns inland to follow the Strath of Kildonan. Black 5 No. 44871 is pictured near Loth, between Brora and Helmsdale, with The Great Britain IX.<br><br>[John Gray 01/05/2016]](/images/55000/55129.jpg "Loth")
![Track has been re-laid in the dock platform at Dunrobin Castle. Fencing makes this a difficult shot from the train.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 03/07/2016]](/images/55000/55721.jpg "Dunrobin")
![A short length of track has recently been laid in the old bay at Dunrobin Castle, as seen here looking towards Golspie on a very wet 20th July 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 20/07/2016]](/images/55000/55843.jpg "Dunrobin Castle")
![DRS 66301 heads the Flask train from Georgemas to Kingmoor at Brora on 24th May 2017.<br><br>[John Robin 24/05/2017]](/images/59000/59642.jpg "Brora")
![This weekend's SRPS 'Far North Explorer' tour ran from Edinburgh to Wick and Thurso with 37025 and 37421. The locomotives are seen during the waiting time and photo stop at Helmsdale. The sun shone and the hillsides were glowing with gorse + steam heat from 37025 what more could you ask for?<br><br>[Douglas McPherson 03/06/2017]](/images/59000/59512.jpg "Helmsdale")
![WRVS poster at Helmsdale. This poster has a quote from Geordie Adams, the fireman from the Jellicoe Express who today unveiled the plaque.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 29/09/2017]](/images/61000/61718.jpg "Helmsdale")
![This new plaque was unveiled today at Helmsdale by Geordie Adams, who was a fireman on the Jellicoe Express during the Second World War.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 30/09/2017]](/images/60000/60971.jpg "Helmsdale")
![A new plaque and poster were unveiled today at Helmsdale by Geordie Adams, who was a fireman on the Jellicoe Express during the Second World War.<br><br>[John Yellowlees 30/09/2017]](/images/60000/60972.jpg "Helmsdale")
