Due to flash flooding arising from thunderstorms the West Highland Railway is closed from Crianlarich to Fort William, as the track has been washed away in two places.
Services are running from Glasgow to Crianlarich and Fort William to Mallaig including the steam train.
Caledonian Sleeper passengers are being bussed to and from Dundee!!
Anyone travelling in the next few days should keep checking the Scotrail or Sleeper websites for updates, and consider travelling by Citylink Coach due to limited rail replacement coaches.
Posted by
Paris
10437 posts
You can also check the Twitter feed of @NetworkRailSCOT for updates.
Here's the latest post they link to
According to the post, they will have to rebuild a section of the line where over 400 tons of material has been washed away from under the track. Engineers will need to rebuild the embankment beneath the line AND re-lay the track before this section of the railway can re-open.
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
8557 posts
The latest update from the Cal Sleeper is that northbound passengers only have a bus from Dundee. Southbound passengers are to use day trains.
There is no current time frame for repairs but 16 June- the present date is clearly unrealistic. The damage is being assessed.
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
8557 posts
Currently it is expected that the line will reopen tomorrow but with a 10mph speed restriction, which will cause delays. To be confirmed.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1354 posts
I've just driven back to Skye from Dunblane and used the A86 to get across from the A9 to the A87. The A86 is the road that partially shadows that section of the West Highland Railway line. The road was also affected by the landslide and there is an incredible amount of debris that has been shifted from the road to the sides of the road. There are temporary traffic lights and a lane closure on the road while the work continues. Can't comment on the rail situation but as it runs below the road it will have suffered a similar amount of mud and rock landing on the tracks. I didn't see any trains today and usually catch a glimpse of one or two while making that journey.
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
8557 posts
Ah, that explains why the Sleeper has been bussing passengers to Dundee, rather than the standard plan of Newtonmore. It had seemed a bizarre decision.
I keep trying to work out how to build the A86 route into an itinerary due to the historical links of Laggan and the Ardverikie shooting estate with Muncaster Castle in Cumbria.
Posted by
OP
Lake District, England
8557 posts
The line is confirmed as reopening at 8am this morning, Monday.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1354 posts
That's good news on the line reopening. They must have worked night and day to get all the debris shifted. The A86 is a very scenic drive. I also enjoy the diversion to see the Ice Age landscape area in Glen Roy