YOU'LL RHU THE DAY.....

The first stop today is Dumbarton East station, with 320 307 arriving.

 Across the road is the Stag's Head - no real ale these days.

Into Dumbarton town centre, once territory held by Kelvin Central.....

......later to become part of Firstbus.

In the 1990s, Loch Lomond Coaches (Allanders of Milngavie) operated services in Dumbarton.

Wilsons of Rhu had a PTE tendered route in Dumbarton in 1991.

North now to Balloch Central station, with NBR 4-4-0 no. 633.

The old station at Balloch Central in 1987.

With the closure of Balloch Pier station, a new station at Balloch Central was built, thus eliminating the level crossing.

McColl's operated services to Balloch.

The River Leven through Balloch connects Loch Lomond with the Clyde. It is used as a berthing point for tourist boats on Loch Lomond.

Here's the Balloch Hotel, now renamed the Balloch House Hotel.

To the south end of Loch Lomond and Balloch Pier station in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank).

303 010 at Balloch Pier in 1981 (Les Flint).

Beside the banks of the Clyde estuary, the Coach House Inn at Cardross, now renamed the Cardoss Inn and real ale removed.

Following the railway, Craigendoran is the next stop. A NBR 4-4-0 calls at the high level platforms with a train for the West Hghlands.

A few years later and LNER 9122 arrives in the low level section of the station, bound for Helensburgh Central.

That brings us nicely to Helensburgh Central, a terminus, served by EMUs.

From Helensburgh there are views of shipping passing along the Clyde.

Helensburgh was once served by Weir's Buses.

More modern operators include Garelochhead Coaches.....

.....and Wilson's of Rhu.

Indeed, the village of Rhu is our next stop, where we find Wilson's depot.

An Optare Solo of Garelochhead Coaches calls at Rhu in 2009.

We end today's travels at the Rhu Inn, recently re-opened under new management and real ale may re-appear soon. Watch this space.

The next post will find us in the Highlands. Follow where we've been here.