ScotRail is to add extra carriages to services on the West Highland Line from tomorrow, Tuesday, 11th March.

Trains between Glasgow and Crianlarich will now have seven carriages, and trains between Crianlarich and Fort William will have five carriages.

The longer trains have been made possible by extending platforms at stations along the line that originally had shorter ones, which has allowed ScotRail to make better use of its Highland Explorer active travel carriages.

ScotRail’s Highland Explorer carriages will be introduced on the 12:22 Glasgow to Fort William and 17:37 from Fort William to Glasgow, which starts its journey at Mallaig.

In previous years, ScotRail added extra carriages to West Highland Line services from the last weekend of end of March. This year, because of increased demand, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, 11th March, longer trains will operate on the following services:

• 08:15 Fort William to Mallaig.
• 08:22 and 12.22 Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig.
• 10:10 and 16.05 Mallaig and Fort William to Glasgow.
• 18:15 Mallaig to Fort William.

The extra carriages and longer provide more space for bicycles and luggage, and more seats for customers and active travel users, resulting in more efficient and comfortable journeys along the scenic West Highland Line.

The Scottish Government sees the West Highland Line as providing an important service for customers wanting to enjoy some of the best of Scotland‘s scenic outdoors, with the longer trains providing more space, seating capacity, and comfort for everyone. It is also committed to making Scotland’s railway more attractive for all users, particularly as part of tourism.

Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland Route Director commented that £1.7m in funding from the Scottish Government allowed it to extend eight station platforms along the West Highland Line to allow longer trains to be introduced.

More information about ScotRail’s Highland Explorer carriages is online at www.scotrail.co.uk/scotrail-highland-explorer.

“ScotRail is committed to enhancing connectivity and making rail travel more convenient, and accessible, for all. The introduction of longer trains on the West Highland Line is great news for our customers. These improvements will provide additional space and comfort, particularly for those travelling with bikes and outdoor equipment.”

Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategy & Planning Director