19/07/2021 – Highland Explorer in Service

Interior shots courtesy of Snappitysnaps: Bikes and other bulky luggage is carried free of charge but there is a supplement of £10 if you wish to sit in the Highland Explorer coach (complementary refreshments, plug and USB sockets). More details on ScotRail website

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18/03/2021 – ScotRail to be Nationalised

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…

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20/12/2020 – Building the Mallaig Railway

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…

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Storm Ciara

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 common…

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Glenfinnan Railway Protection – Network Rail

Network Rail undertook 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 Glenfinnan station…

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ScotRail Franchise Termination

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…

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