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.
“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.”
Can I ask that you look into works being carried out on the same line just past the Glenfinnan viaduct, at lochairlort. Lack of maintenance caused water to build up behind the line causing eventually a landslide that washed away ground from beneath said line, sending tons of ballast and water through Highland charity Kirsty’s kids (KK) trust house and grounds which back on to the west highland line. Works Caused closure for months and thousands of pounds worth of damage both to charity and nature. Now agin for the second time in 2: years and lasing again for months. More work to repair what should have been fixed correctly first time. This has and does cause continued closure of this much needed charity. Please Network rail not a penny has been received for conservation work carried out on your behalf to repair the eco system of protected newts and ancient endangered orchid meadows your heavy plant devastated 1st time round. Every penny would go to the charities kids in need..
Well done Network Rail. Excellent job. Did I hear recently our First Minister say Network Rail was a. Reserved Matter when talking about the recent very sad rail fatality caused by a track maintenance problem?
Yes, it seems that when something goes well in Scotland it’s all down to the brilliant SNP and its Scottish administration, but when something goes badly it’s a reserved matter so the blame rests with the British Government. However, the SNP has now nationalised Scotrail and as far as I know this includes track as well as trains, so this line of argument won’t wash any more!