Category: NEWS
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…
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…
Renewing Scotland’s Railways
‘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 member Gordon Webster, it includes a comprehensive chapter about the West Highland and Oban lines. It includes 150 colour images in sharp, high…
Severe Flooding Closes the West Highland Lines
Class 153 Update
Published 26/11/2018. Recent information has been released by Transport Scotland outlining thoughts on how to ‘kit-out’ the proposed Class 153 single carriage units for the transport of Cycle, Ski and other outdoor sports equipment on Scotland’ scenic railway routes. The proposal is to add the 153 carriage to the current…
Revamp of Queen Street Station
The picture on the left is a computer generated image, supplied by Network Rail, of how the interior of Queen Street Station will look in 2020 when the £120 million redevelopment is completed. Queen Street is Scotland’s 3rd busiest station and is being transformed to allow for platform extension to…
Class 153 Single Car DMU.
Certain service trains on the West Highland Lines will have Class 153 single car units added to the existing 156 DMUs. The additional ‘baggage’ car will provide space for cyclists, their cycles, rucksacks, skis and sports equipment and, it is anticipated, extra seats to reduce overcrowding (a problem which will…
Glen Orchy Bridge
Published, 09/10/2018; At the beginning of October the entire ‘floor’ of timbers on the Orchy Rail Viaduct, over the entrance to Loch Awe, has been replaced with new timbers. While this work proceeded buses replaced rail services for nearly a week between Oban and Crianlarich. The bridge dates back from…
Oban Station Track Layout
Published, 09/10/2018; Oban station and approach tracks have been completely relaid by Network Rail. The crossover at the platforms was also renewed and a membrane laid through the platforms before new track and ballast was installed. A virtual ballast quarry was established at Glenshellach about 1/4-mile from the station. Because…
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…
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…
Renewing Scotland’s Railways

‘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 member Gordon Webster, it includes a comprehensive chapter about the West Highland and Oban lines. It includes 150 colour images in sharp, high…
Severe Flooding Closes the West Highland Lines
Class 153 Update

Published 26/11/2018. Recent information has been released by Transport Scotland outlining thoughts on how to ‘kit-out’ the proposed Class 153 single carriage units for the transport of Cycle, Ski and other outdoor sports equipment on Scotland’ scenic railway routes. The proposal is to add the 153 carriage to the current…
Revamp of Queen Street Station

The picture on the left is a computer generated image, supplied by Network Rail, of how the interior of Queen Street Station will look in 2020 when the £120 million redevelopment is completed. Queen Street is Scotland’s 3rd busiest station and is being transformed to allow for platform extension to…
Class 153 Single Car DMU.

Certain service trains on the West Highland Lines will have Class 153 single car units added to the existing 156 DMUs. The additional ‘baggage’ car will provide space for cyclists, their cycles, rucksacks, skis and sports equipment and, it is anticipated, extra seats to reduce overcrowding (a problem which will…
Glen Orchy Bridge

Published, 09/10/2018; At the beginning of October the entire ‘floor’ of timbers on the Orchy Rail Viaduct, over the entrance to Loch Awe, has been replaced with new timbers. While this work proceeded buses replaced rail services for nearly a week between Oban and Crianlarich. The bridge dates back from…
Oban Station Track Layout

Published, 09/10/2018; Oban station and approach tracks have been completely relaid by Network Rail. The crossover at the platforms was also renewed and a membrane laid through the platforms before new track and ballast was installed. A virtual ballast quarry was established at Glenshellach about 1/4-mile from the station. Because…