The Scottish Government has announced that ScotRail is set to come under state control following the termination of the Abellio Franchise contract in March 2022. ScotRail services will then be provided within the public sector by an ‘arms length’ company owned and managed by the Government. The Friends of the…
ScotRail hopes to see the first of its five ‘Active Travel’ coaches converted from Class 153 single-car diesel multiple-units entering service during the May 2021 timetable. The main challenge is the training of 38 drivers from Oban and Glasgow Queen Street depots whilst coronavirus social distancing rules remain in place.…
A local train for local people – ScotRail to the rescue. West Highland CRP helps ScotRail make the right decision: temporary service introduced to Fort William departing Rannoch 08:52 every Monday and Thursday. COVID-19 travel restrictions during lockdown have seen ScotRail’s passenger figures drop by around 90%. On the West…
The Glenfinnan Station Museum has published a book about the construction of the ‘Mallaig Extension’ – the line from Fort Willam to Mallaig, which opened in 1901, some seven years after the line to Fort William opened. Generously illustrated with recently-discovered photographs from 1900, this A4 landscape book, containing 123…
Glenfinnan Viaduct was bathed in stunning red light to mark the 102nd anniversary of Armistice Day, on the evening of 11 November 2020. A wonderful tribute to the brave men and women who fought for our country, the event was coordinated by The Stage Group in conjuction with Network…
Last night (Thursday April 2) the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct joined landmarks across the UK turning blue to show public support for NHS staff treating coronavirus patients. Alan Ross, director of engineering and asset management at Network Rail said; “We are delighted to be working with the Stage Group to illuminate …
In the middle of March it was announced that ScotRail trains would be halved in frequency on many lines including the main Edinburgh-Glasgow route, which will be cut to half hourly. Services ended early, with the last trains leaving in mid evening on some routes. The West Highland Lines had…
Storm Ciara challenged all parts of the UK and the West Highland Line was closed until Network Rail carried out a ‘Line proving exercise’ by running a locomotive along the entire route to confirm that the line was clear and safe (Blown trees and ballast washouts). The picture reveals a…
Network Rail are currently undertaking important work to protect the railway from potential landslips and rock-falls from the hillsides and embankments around the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct. The work will protect 14 rock cuttings over a two and a half mile stretch of single-track railway between Locheilside and Lochailort encompassing both…
The Scottish Government announced in December 2019 that the current operator of Scotland’s Railway is to have its contract ceased by early 2022. The Friends of the West Highland Lines are committed to promotion and protection of the lines serving the West Highlands and are well aware and disappointed that…
