Toon Town Twenties. por Stapleton Road Por Flickr: Its as far as you can go. Stranraer is the end of the line. The station used to connect with a ferry to Larne and Belfast, it also boasted extensive sidings which handled large amounts of freight. Also known as Toon Town it lies on the south shores of Loch Ryan. The ferry port opened in 1862 and accommodated smaller vessels which could navigate the shallow approaches but as the years went buy and the ferries got bigger and bigger they couldn't safely reach the port without going really slow so as to not ground out their props. This spelt the end for the port and in November 2011 the new terminal was opened on the entrance to Loch Ryan on the north shore, this means that ferries can travel at high speed until the last minute and remain in deep water. A ferry can be seen departing at the top right of this shot. 20107 and 20096 pose for the photographers as they prepare to depart with the 2nd leg of the tour to Girvan at 1530. Confession time, I have digitally removed a lamp post which was obstructing a clear view of 20107.
