New Mobile Site
We have just launched a new mobile version of this site - m.trainspots. This page will use your smart device's GPS to loctate you and guide you to locations that are close to your present location.
Location notes
Located approximately 2 miles north from Fort William town centre.
Railway type and traffic
You will not get much in the way of traffic. Three 156 unit workings in each direction to or from Glasgow Queen Street and the Monday to Friday Alcan workings which come up from Mossend in the morning (14:30 arrival) and the return (17:58 usually) worked by a class 66.
The summer months bring some charter trains like the Royal Scotsman and SRPS Railtours etc. You can also see whatever loco works the Alcans taking the wagons to and from the main line into the factory, before taking the empties down to the yard for stabling.
The summer months bring some charter trains like the Royal Scotsman and SRPS Railtours etc. You can also see whatever loco works the Alcans taking the wagons to and from the main line into the factory, before taking the empties down to the yard for stabling.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Fort William, Alcan Bridge
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
It is a fairly quiet environment, but just off a busy main road at the best of times. No point in being there after dark as there will be nothing to see apart from maybe the odd ballast train working during an overnight possession. You are unlikely to encounter any trouble at night, but it is always best to keep safe.
Road directions
If travelling from the south, follow the A82 north from Fort William town centre for 2 miles or so. You will pass the yard which you will see on your left followed by the Milton Hotel, almost immediately, you will pass a National Tyres car garage on your right with a few other small companies. The road turning off to the British Alcan factory is on your next right, there is a fairly large blue and white sign.
If you are coming from the north via the A82, you will see a playing field just after the BP filling station and the junction for the A830 road to Mallaig. The British Alcan access road is on the left after you pass the ESSO filling station and after the turn off to the right for the Fort William EWS depot and old Inverlochy Castle.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Fort William, Alcan Bridge map co-ordinates
If you are coming from the north via the A82, you will see a playing field just after the BP filling station and the junction for the A830 road to Mallaig. The British Alcan access road is on the left after you pass the ESSO filling station and after the turn off to the right for the Fort William EWS depot and old Inverlochy Castle.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Fort William, Alcan Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
Just after crossing the bridge, you will see a small clearing on your left right before the level crossing which could fit 2 or 3 cars. No need to worry as your car will be in sight of you at all times and the road is quiet except for cars and lorries going to and from the factory.
Public transport
From Fort William town centre. Behind the MacKays clothing store on the High Street, there is a bus stop which serves the bus stop nearest to the British Alcan with three or four services every hour. You want a bus that takes you to Caol or Corpach, just ask the driver to drop you off at the British Alcan. You will see once you alight the bus stop on the other side of the road to go back into Fort William.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
If you go back down to the main road, you will see the ESSO station about 200 yards to your right which is open 24 hours and is about as good as most service stations and I believe also has a public toilet. It is awkward to reach as you will need to cross the road as there is only a pavement on the far side, then cross the road again when you get there.
Accommodation
A useful list of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts in the local area.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Fort William, Alcan Bridge
Streetmap links
Fort William, Alcan Bridge general view map
Fort William, Alcan Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Fort William, Alcan Bridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Fort William, Alcan Bridge
Googly map
Fort William, Alcan Bridge general view map
Fort William, Alcan Bridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Fort William, Alcan Bridge
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The bridge crosses the West Highland Line from Fort William to Glasgow. The best view is towards Fort William as the view on either side of the bridge is fairly clear and you can get more of a side on shot instead of head on (Fig. 1 and 2). The other side of the bridge is not so good as you can only really get a view from right above the train as it approaches you going to Fort William (see Fig.5)
The sun should not really be a problem at any time, whenever I have been there, pictures have turned out just fine. Although it depends on weather conditions really!
When the Alcans are being worked, you can go further down the road across the level crossing and on your right, is a little grassy area beside the line, and that will offer you some good shots (see Fig. 3 and 4). Note, if you are down there when the Alcans are being worked, ear protectors might come in handy as they are very loud.
The sun should not really be a problem at any time, whenever I have been there, pictures have turned out just fine. Although it depends on weather conditions really!
When the Alcans are being worked, you can go further down the road across the level crossing and on your right, is a little grassy area beside the line, and that will offer you some good shots (see Fig. 3 and 4). Note, if you are down there when the Alcans are being worked, ear protectors might come in handy as they are very loud.
General views - All photographs © Alasdair Mulhern unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north east
Fig 2 - Looking north east
Fig 3 - Looking east
From the Alcan level crossing.
Fig 4 - Looking west
From the Alcan level crossing.
Fig 5 - Looking south west
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
