Media centre

Saturday 24 Dec 2022

Customer update: Oban line to fully reopen on December 27

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The Oban line will fully reopen for passengers on Tuesday (December 27) following work to repair landslip-damaged tracks near Falls of Cruachan on Loch Awe.

The line has been closed since Monday, December 19, when over 100 tonnes of debris fell onto the track, and the nearby A85 road, from privately-owned land above the railway.

With temporary repairs to the slope above the railway now in place, engineers will be working around-the-clock over Christmas to lay new track and repair damaged signalling systems.

Engineers have removed over 200 tonnes of landslip material and installed a barrier system to protect the railway while more extensive work is carried out.

The line will reopen at a reduced speed on December 27 to reconnect communities in the West Highlands and long-term repairs above the line will continue into the new year.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: “Our engineers have worked as quickly as possible to complete these repairs and restore the road and rail links.

“This is a very challenging and complex project, with hundreds of tons of material having to be removed and significant repairs made to over 30 feet of the railway track.

“While we will be able to reopen the line for customers next week, our engineers will remain on-site into the new year working to further stabilise the slope above the railway at this location.

“We appreciate the inconvenience the closure of the railway has caused to passengers, and local communities, and we thank everyone for their understanding during these recovery works.”