Rannoch Viaduct Upgrade Work
Rannoch Viaduct Upgrade Work
The West Highland Line between Crianlarich and Fort William/Mallaig closed for nine days from 16 March. Trains returned on 25 March.
The West Highland Line between Crianlarich and Fort William/Mallaig closed for nine days from 16 March. Trains returned on 25 March.
Rannoch viaduct, north of Rannoch station has been upgraded in a £1.6 million project, extending the life of the structure.
Project Timeline
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Monday 26th February until Friday 15th March 2024 - Preparation works and site set up
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Friday 15th March until Monday 25th March 2024 - Railway structural timber and track replacement works at the Rannoch Viaduct
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Monday 25th March 2024 - West Highland Line reopens
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Monday 25th March until Friday 5th April 2024 - Site clearance and handover.
Possible Disruptions
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ScotRail – Alternative travel arrangements
16 – 24 March
Glasgow Queen St – Fort William / Mallaig services impacted, meaning:
- Buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Fort William and between Fort William and Mallaig.
- Bus service also replaces and serves Tulloch, Roy Bridge & Spean Bridge stations with Fort William.
- There is no rail replacement service at Rannoch & Corrour stations.
Services between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban operate as normal.
Why?
The works replaced the longitudinal timbers which support the rails going over the steel bridge. The timbers were worn out and needed to be replaced.
This will enhance the safety and reliability of the West Highland Line for years to come. Doing this work on Saturday nights only, without closing the railway would have taken over a year and would have been considerably more expensive.
What will change?
Network Rail Scotland has renewed the timbers which support the track, and the rails and brackets which attach them to the structure. The reason why we use timbers like these on some bridges is that it’s lighter than the stone (ballast) and sleepers which normally support the track.
As the railway was closed to allow the work at Rannoch to take place, full advantage is being taken, with track renewals also happening between Tyndrum and Roy Bridge and between Spean Bridge and Arisaig. Signalling upgrades will also be carried out in the Fort William area, extending the life of the signalling system, and improving reliability.