Invershin and Culrain Request Stops 

This is the appreciation thread for Roger's boots ...

Travelling 600-700 miles just to press a button sounds like a great excursion to me 😂

I wrote the software that runs the kiosks so you can imagine my relief when that train actually did stop! Great video, it was good to see the system being used by real passengers.

11:25 The awkward moment when you notice two Argentinian railfans have travelled 7,000 miles to press the button and find Geoff already pushed it.

I worked doing accessibility audits for the DfT from late 2021 to summer 2022. Got sent to every train station in Scotland outside Glasgow. The Culrain and Invershin day was one of the absolute highlights - the shelter at Invershin (and the pedestrian walking routes from the road below) and the shelter at Culrain (big step!) were both unsurprisingly slated in the accessibility audit. The bridge between the two stations was incredible and we got lovely weather that day. That dot matrix at Culrain was unlike any other I'd seen across Scotland! These request stop pillars were being installed while we were up there; we saw a few of them wrapped up in plastic coverings and wondered what they were going to be. Can also say that there were several stations up that way with unexpected wildlife - there were dozens of chickens hopping about Altnabreac, and I believe Roy Bridge had some too. Wasn't a huge railway person before I started, but I definitely caught the bug as I'm now whittling down the last Scottish stations I didn't go to for work. I'll only count stations at which I've stood on the platform (hoping out of a train doesn't count!). Still got a dozen in Ayrshire to visit, along with the new Inverness Airport one, before hopefully finishing my collection at Rannoch and Corrour. In the mean time, I've got this channel!

There are similar buttons at some request stops in northern Germany, however when you press the button it does not send complicated radio signage out to the trains, it just lights bright lamps at the ends of the platform which the driver can see from the distance. When the train stops, the driver has to get out and switch the lights off with a key. You might want to visit these request stops, Geoff, one of them is a Least Used too!

This is exactly what we need in Canada. There are so many small villages and settlements along branch lines not serviced by passenger trains. A platform and bus shelter with a schedule are good enough. Just gotta get some DMUs rolling.

I called the whole family out to watch Geoff press the button.

I want to be ‘Revising Request Stops with my bestie in Scotland’ level of iconic.

At one time there were three request stops on the lines north of Inverness - Borrobol and Salzcraggie on the line to Wick, and Glencarron on the line to Kyle - which featured passenger operated semaphore signals. Sadly all three have now closed. I can imagine Geoff having great fun operating them!

🦚 Peacocks on the Platform sounds like a awesome band name

Great program. You and Roger work incredibly well together. Also, Invershin and Culrain are 2 of the 10 least used stations in Scotland, according to the map on your website.

Near Chicago, the South Shore line has a few flag stops. You are supposed to press a button that makes a lamp blink for the driver. But they time out, and if the train is late, you may miss it that way.

Just like Switzerland! There if you want to alight you must press the door release button! There is no road access between Culrain and Invershin, hence the footbridge attached to the railway bridge. Love the peacocks. Brilliant video, thanks Geoff.

The Castle on the hill above Culrain - Carbisdale - was built by the ex-wife of the duke of Sutherland. It's known as the Castle of Spite, Its most railway focussed feature is the huge clock tower which has no face on the side facing the railway - it is said because the Lady of the house was not prepared to give her ex husband the time of day as his train passed in it's way to Dunrobin.

Roger is great. Hope to see him more👍

“Peacocks on the Platform!” Sounds like a comedy alternative soft rock album.

it *never* stops drizzling in Scotland any more Geoff, that's our new Autumn-Winter-Spring standard.. 15 years ago you'd be a foot-deep in snow, or in a minus 6 breeze despite the sunshine this time of year & that far north.. but these days it just rains 97% of the year.

Did someone say Trolley Service?! Now I want to travel from Ashchurch to Culrain or Invershin just to press that button and travel on Express Sprinters! Nice to see Roger tag along too and i've enjoyed watching the video!

Peacocks, when you think you have seen it all ... they were not on the bingo card. I swear Scot Rail holiday is really on the todo list

Very good - loved it Geoff. I haven't been up there since the mid-1980s when BR did "Go as far as you want for £12 return with a student railcard" so we went from London to Wick (of course). I remember that was diesel loco hauled and split just before Wick with a portion picked up by another loco to Thurso. Took most of the day from Inverness to Wick

Im from Switzerland and here are many stations like that. Only difference is that there is a signal wich goes on when requested

Loving it as always geoff!

Yes, the long awaited return of this series 😊. Keep going

I love your videos Geoff, Keep up the good work!

This is seriously one of my favourite videos of yours ever-great content, and Roger is just such a gem!!

So this is the video you filmed after you visited Inverness Airport ;) Another great video Geoff peacocking around the Request stops and you and Roger deserve the trolley full of tea :D

I admire your and Roger's determination to start recording so early in the morning. Well done for another successful video!

Oh my goodness - a Scottish request stops video - I could never have guessed this was coming?!

Geoff, I love this video! I have actually traveled this line. What a happy memory! ❤

Great video as always. I recently watched the Park Street video where you met Roger for the first time. It's great that from that, you've now had so many adventures together!

It opens up to a prank: press the button then run and hide.

This is great news, and a great video. thanks! Geoff Marshall appreciate it. 👍❤️💯

The Notifications Section placed this video in the ‘Important’ Section and I couldn’t agree more.

In Switzerland it's absolutely normal to press a button to stop a regional train for barely used station. There are several lines where every intermediate station is a request stop. It's something quite normal - almost as if you ride a bus.

I lived Alness for a while before moving to Devon. You were brave, no gloves and a fleece in winter. was nice to be back even though for a short while in your videos x

The girder section of the Invershin viaduct is quite amazing from that wee footbridge alongside. It's a perspective you don't usually come across.

I'm invested, I need to know if you managed to get tea!!

The line is beautiful - you pass all the Firths.... Beauly, Moray, and Dornoch. Was in Inverness, and station, just yesterday. The lines too, it and the line to Kyle of Lochalsh, are old lines so you get the clickety-clack virtually all the way. Have said before, wish they'd open the line between Elgin and Aviemore, that would be epic. Finally, Geoff, crazy southerner walking around in just a fleece!

7:48 'I can't here you Roger, my hands are so cold', Geoff, you do know cold hands and hearing are not connected, don't you?

It’s nice to see a video on Scotland and that too, with Roger? Such fun 👏🏽

Love this. As a VI, I’ve always wished something like this could be implemented at bus stops.

Stopping a train at the push of a button. Love it! Hope you got a nice warm drink on the train Geoff.

I'd just watched the Inverness Airport station video, but I had no idea you'd also done a request stop video at the same time!

Lovely video, Geoff, as usual

Oh wow, defiantly did not know a request stop video was coming! 😉

Yet another great video. Not been that far up for 30 years, i need to go back!

Geoff's out in the weather in Scotland just to bring us the highest quality content. Huzzah!

That was interesting thank you both 😊

"Push the button" *Chemical Brothers intensifies*

Always happy to see Roger!

Oh the anticipation of the button push 😁 Be great to see these installed on the Heart of Wales line. Glad you got tea.

Request to Stop - I've seen that at most stations in Switzerland. Good to see it has come to the UK.

Great vid Geoff

Living in Inverness, I really must explore the far North line right on my own doorstep! Only ever been as far as Tain, really must try the request stops, though I would be wearing a proper winter jacket! Lol

6:58 - The sign referring to Bonar Bridge reminds me of a bit of trivia. Conrad Bain, who played Mr. Drummond on "Diff'rent Strokes", had an identical twin brother named Bonar. Bonar guest-starred on an episode of the comedy show "SCTV", on which he was repeatedly referred to as "Conrad Bain's twin brother".

Geoff, your button pressing skills are awesome. 🤣😅

Unbelievable that it's taken this long for the UK to use an electronic system for request stops. Been in use in Switzerland for decades now. Progress at last.

Popping your head around the door frame just to say “it’s definitely peacock droppings” had us laughing out loud. Brilliant. Looks like a trip I need to take my next visit to Scotland.

You'll always find more than 1 peacock wandering around!

That footbridge at Invershin is new to me. Back in the day, when there was a magnificent Youth Hostel at Carbisdale Castle on the south side of the river and the only pub in the area on the north side of the river, the trackway over the viaduct was the way to get from one to the other. The various railway trespass warnings and threats were little deterrent to drouthy youth hostellers; luckily there were no scheduled trains in the late evening then anyway.

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf

You certainly earned a cup of tea for that video anyway Geoff 😂

Well done geoff, God I love Scotland, even in the cold. This coming from Melbourne Aus where it is going to be 38 degrees today.

Lovely Views Geoff - but REMEMBER your Hat & Gloves!!! Also useful to know about the 'Button' request Stop thingy - thanks for sharing Geoff!!! 😉🚂🚂🚂

Very impressed by the friends of Herne Hill Velodrome bidon on the bike!

I thought I recognised that viaduct - it's because a few years back I shouldered my bike up the steps and across the footbridge on a daft 72 hour cycling trip to explore Assynt! We stayed at Bonar Bridge. A nice surprise and brought back some very good memories!

Looks like a good idea properly implemented ....

I absolutely love Roger. Please like for Roger appreciation.

In Denmark you also push the bottom to stop, both on the train and on the platform. I Denmark its just called a trinbræt instead of the danish version of a request stop that would be ønskestop or something like that.

Welcome to Scotland - its dark, its wet, but we have peacocks lol! My local station is served by an elderly Scotrail 156 sprinter... you were certainly spoiled getting a trolley service :)

That is very interesting! Greetings from Poland! 👍🚂

I did an HST trip from Kings X to Inverness a couple of times before they were withdrawn. Got 1st class cheapies on LNER and food was included. On the day between I went up to Kinbrace as I worked out it was not a crossing place so only had to wait about 30 mins for a soutbound train. I had to stand aand flag the southbound train down in those days. Loved the video

Fab! Wick really is the end of all lines.

You should visit Scotlands newest city and its 2 rail stations, Dunfermline.

A trolley service of drinks and light refreshments? And a button? Splendid!

In Switzerland, almost all request stops (of which there are many) are equipped with buttons. You press it, and then a special signal (two white lamps horizontally next to each other on a black square that is rotated 45° so it sits on its corner, idk what that's called in English) starts flashing for a set amount of time.

Thanks!

Excellent - a no-midge Scottish video. They used to do request stops on the late night Gatwick Express, but that was way back in the time of Mk2F slam door carriages and Class 73's.

This is a good information video I wouldn't have known about these new press button things if it wasn't for watching this the train would have just gone straight past 🤣😂

Awesome video

Nice one Geoff.

Wow your guest was such a surprise!

It's going to spoil the fun whenever fellow RU-vid legend GLovesTrains visits request stops in the future

Scott rail uses the same ticket machines as the MBTA here in Boston!

It was a long wait for Geoff to press the button but well worth it

1:10 If you've just left Inverness, then that's the Beauly Firth, or if you're between Dingwall and Tain, that's the Cromarty Firth. Why are they Firths rather than Sea Lochs? It turns out those are two names for the same thing. "Firth" comes from the same Norse root as "fjord", while "Loch" is Gaelic.

Wonders of modern technology.😊 Still waving still seems to work

I used to work for Roger he is a really nice man.

I don't know why Geoff's incredulous cry of "There's a peacock on the platform!" keeps on making me laugh so much whenever I watch this, but it does!

4:13 I thought Geoff was joking but OMG how is our National Bird in the wild in Scotland? 4:20 Double Trouble

I went on a school trip to nearby Carbisdale Castle in the early 80s, one of the days we went for a walk that involved walking between the tracks on the Shin Viaduct. Things have changed these days

I was on a train in Tyrol, Austria this winter and found out about request stops on a train for the first time. Makes complete sense of course but I never realised it was a thing! Only worked out what was happening after we flew past two stations that had been listed as stops.

Keep up the good work

My wife and I had an interesting trip on the Far North line in 2019. Our Kyle of Lochalsh to Dingwall to Thurso connection was cancelled, leaving a small posse of us stuck at Dingwall. It was the last train of the day, of course. The staff had gone home. Via the call button we were told a bus was coming but it seemed to get lost somewhere! Eventually as the only 4 passengers heading all the way to Thurso we were given a taxi ride all the way with another couple, though I fear they may have missed their ferry to Orkney. Our driver (of course) was a Canadian lady. A couple of days later we got the train back through to Inverness so saw the journey by road and rail.

I didn't realise Scotland did bilingual station signs like we do in Ireland. I was trying to guess the name origins in Gaidhlig and was correct.

Geoff! I'm in scotland atm and I'm off to do some train spotting tomorrow morning! Can't wait to see the Scot rail & the LNER Azuma! Geoff, could you reply to this comment, it would make my year! Jonathan

I've walked across that bridge. All I'll say is that it was an experience.

That’s good!

Prior to the footbridge the traditional way to get from the Youth Hostel (Carbisdale Castle - near Culrain) to the Invershin Hotel (nearest pub) was to walk across using the railway line. The history is also interesting as a marriage spat between Duke of Sutherland and his ex with 2 massive properties either side of the water from which they could glare at each other Used to be stations I looked after in early 1980's Altnabreac has an engineers siding & points heaters, & I had a request to get electricity supply there... the quote was a 6 figure sum to run a pole line around 7 miles from nearest 11kV supply - I think they opted to keep the propane cylinders and use solar panels