£7m of major track renewals completed on Scotland's West Highland Line

£7m of major track renewals completed on Scotland’s West Highland Line

Network Rail engineers have completed a £7m project to replace more than 2 miles of track at various locations between Upper Tyndrum and Spean Bridge on the West Highland Line from Mallaig to Glasgow.

Working around-the-clock, Network Rail’s engineering teams completed the work in nine days.

At the same time engineers also carried out work to improve the drainage and track over the Nevis Viaduct to support the implementation of a new track design. Nevis Viaduct is a single-track, single-span, lattice girder bridge that crosses the River Nevis between Fort William station and Fort William Junction.

As much of the line is through very remote countryside, and the distance from Upper Tyndrum to Spean Bridge is nearly 50 miles, staff were transported to the remote work sites by rail from Bridge of Orchy to ensure the project was completed on schedule.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said: “This investment programme is vital for the future of Scotland’s railway.

“The work we have completed helps to provide a more modern railway and will help to improve reliability on the West Highland Line – which is visited by many thanks to its iconic scenery.

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“We understand some customers may have experienced some inconvenience while the work was carried out.
“But such a significant investment could not be delivered without temporary disruption and every effort was made to reduce the impact of our activities as much as possible.

“I’d like to thank all passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience and understanding while we completed this essential work.”

Tags: Bridge of Orchy Fort William Glasgow Mallaig Network Rail Scotland Spean Bridge Upper Tyndrum West HIghland Line