ScotRail have provided an update on progress on the modification of 153DMUs for transporting cycles (reference the News item first published in November 2018). As intimated 18 months ago, ScotRail is transforming five Class 153 trains to carry up to 20 bikes to enhance existing services on the West Highland…
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 …
Publishing of our Summer 2020 issue of West Highland News PLUS magazine, normally published in June, has been postponed. Doug Carmichael, Editor and Chairman, Friends of The West Highland Lines, said “the (provisional) plan is to produce and publish a ‘bumper’ combined Summer/Autumn/Winter edition in September”. This is a consequence…
Although previously announcing that The Easter Jacobite service would run, West Coast Railway Company has announced that all steam trains are cancelled until further notice. Since there is an embargo on all non essential travel to and within Scotland for an unkown time it is very unlikely that services will resume…
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…
The Spring 2020 edition of West Highland News Plus has just been sent out to members. It is, as usual packed full of news, articles and pictures about the West Highland Lines. As the cover states: “The only magazine spotlighting the West Highland Lines and the ScotRail Network past and…
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…
‘Renewing Britain’s Railways: Scotland’ is a new book released by Amberley Publishing as a retrospective of the Scottish network during the last few years. Written by FWHL Co-Webmaster Gordon Webster, it includes a comprehensive chapter about the West Highland and Oban lines. It includes 150 colour images in sharp, high…
