Following a nine-day closure of the West Highland Line between Crianlarich and Fort William, the £15 million project is now completed.

Due to the nature of the work, the closure was necessary so engineers could renew the track, carry out drainage work, and manage vegetation.

They replaced around 10 kilometres of rail and over 9,000 sleepers, renewed five culverts and also renewed the Feith footbridge and a bridge near Corrour.

The work will improve the line’s resilience against extreme weather and heavy rainfall, keeping it safe and reliable.

“The West Highland Line is a vital transport link for communities and businesses across the Highlands, as well as a world-renowned destination for tourists. These upgrades will help keep services running smoothly and reduce the risk of disruption on a route exposed to some of the harshest conditions on the rail network. 

“Delivering this work was no small task. Our teams operated in remote, hard-to-reach locations and faced challenging terrain and unpredictable weather throughout the nine-day closure. Their commitment and expertise ensured the project was completed safely and on time. 

“We’d also like to thank passengers and local communities for their patience and understanding while the work took place. This investment will make the line more resilient, helping us provide a more reliable railway for everyone who uses it.” 

Jeremy Spence, route delivery director at Network Rail Scotland