Glenfinnan Viaduct was bathed in stunning red light to mark the 102nd anniversary of Armistice Day, on the evening off 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…
The Fort William-London Euston Caledonian Sleeper service has been cancelled for several weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions. From Tuesday 10 November up to and including Friday 4 December 2020, the West Highland portion of the overnight train will not run, as well as the adjoining section from Aberdeen. This is due…
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. Update: Resumed service on 14th July until 6th November – later than normal to satisfy delayed customer demand Since there is an embargo on all…
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…
