Tuesday 12 Mar 2024
Passengers reminded of nine-day West Highland Line closure
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Passengers are being reminded that a section of the West Highland Line between Crianlarich and Fort William/Mallaig will be closed for nine days starting on March 16.
This is to allow Network Rail to complete essential upgrades on Rannoch Viaduct that can only be delivered safely while the railway is closed.
Between March 16 and March 25, buses will replace trains from Tulloch, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge stations to Fort William but there will be no service to Rannoch and Corrour.
Services between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban will operate as normal throughout.
The £1.6million investment at Rannoch Viaduct will see 50 longitudinal timbers (way beams), which run the length of the 208m structure and support the rail going over the steel bridge, replaced.
Those softwood timbers are life-expired and will be replaced with hardwood alternatives, with the existing baseplates and rail also being renewed.
In addition to the work on the viaduct, Network Rail will improve multiple sections of track between Tyndrum and Roy Bridge, and between Spean Bridge and Arisaig.
Signalling upgrades will also take place between Fort William and Spean Bridge.
Zoe Monkhouse, Network Rail’s project manager for the Rannoch Viaduct project, said: “The work we’re undertaking is essential to keeping the railway safe and reliable for years to come.
“While there’s never an ideal time to close the railway, these works can only be delivered while there’s no trains running.
“We appreciate the patience of passengers and our lineside neighbours and thank them for their understanding.”
Notes to Editors
ScotRail – Alternative travel arrangements
16 – 24 March
Glasgow Queen St – Ft William / Mallaig services impacted, meaning:
- Buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Ft William, and between Ft William and Mallaig.
- Bus service also replaces and serves Tulloch, Roy Bridge & Spean Bridge stations with Ft. William.
- There is no service at Rannoch & Corrour stations.
Services between Glasgow Queen St and Oban operate as normal.
Rannoch Viaduct
Rannoch viaduct is 208m long, second only in length to Glenfinnan Viaduct on the line.
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