The Loch Treig one was not recovered intact. It was cut up on site for scrap after recovering re-usable components. It is the one that MrBurnz was referring to.
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Landslip and Derailment on the West Highland Line (22/01)
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The Loch Treig one was not recovered intact. It was cut up on site for scrap after recovering re-usable components. It is the one that MrBurnz was referring to.
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Highlandspring
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Yes I'm aware of that. There is no chance whatsoever of this unit being cut up on site.
Pete_uk
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That train is going to take some cleaning
STEVIEBOY1
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A Bit Harsh
Do they get that number of people over a whole year on that part of the line?ChiefPlanner
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The issue really is the stability of the hilllside - the actual derailment is one bogie off the rails.
No, probably not, so it’s likeky not worth shooting 100,000 Deer to save itA Bit Harsh
Essan
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A Bit Harsh
86,406 to/from Mallaig last year. Not sure if that includes passengers on Hogwarts though? Add on those geting on/off at intermediate stations and I reckon we just about manage 100,000
Highlandspring
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To be fair there's suspicion that the inner bogie of the leading car may also be off but that won't be known until they start to clear the debris. RAIB were on site at first light this morning.
ChiefPlanner
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A very short day I expect (light wise) , that far north...
I was due to catch the now derailed train to take me to Glasgow at Banavie, however when I arrived at the station (at 07:05) the signaller in the 'box shouted down and said the train had derailed, she didn't know what arrangements were being made for passengers as it had only just happened, and that my best option would be to seek alternative transport to Fort William, pointing in the direction of a Local bus stop.
Well, I just missed the only bus that would get me to Fort William in time for when the train should have left after switching direction for the Journey to Glasgow (07:44). After a frantic search for a taxi service I arrived at FTW station at 07:35 and was chaperoned to a waiting Citylink coach due to leave at 07:45.
I had hoped that the unit on platform one forming the 08:30 Fort William to Mallaig would instead be pressed into service to take over the now derailed 07:44 to Glasgow, however presumable there was no train crew to take it forwards.
Cue a rather disappointed me, having had no time for breakfast as planned during the ~20 minute break in Fort William, and stuck with a coach for the next few hours. Fortunately, the coach took less time than the train, and I was able to make my connection in Glasgow with plenty of time to get a delayed breakfast!
Well, I just missed the only bus that would get me to Fort William in time for when the train should have left after switching direction for the Journey to Glasgow (07:44). After a frantic search for a taxi service I arrived at FTW station at 07:35 and was chaperoned to a waiting Citylink coach due to leave at 07:45.
I had hoped that the unit on platform one forming the 08:30 Fort William to Mallaig would instead be pressed into service to take over the now derailed 07:44 to Glasgow, however presumable there was no train crew to take it forwards.
Cue a rather disappointed me, having had no time for breakfast as planned during the ~20 minute break in Fort William, and stuck with a coach for the next few hours. Fortunately, the coach took less time than the train, and I was able to make my connection in Glasgow with plenty of time to get a delayed breakfast!
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I've always assumed that the ORR data include the Jacobite; the tiny numbers using the other stations at which it doesn't call confirm this.
It would take many decades of natural forest regeneration to replenish the hillside with its proper depth of water-cooling humus and soil. I always make the comparison with the banks of Loch Lomond which have always been covered with native woodland and I don't recall any landslips.
It would take many decades of natural forest regeneration to replenish the hillside with its proper depth of water-cooling humus and soil. I always make the comparison with the banks of Loch Lomond which have always been covered with native woodland and I don't recall any landslips.
Adlington
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Is this a valuable lesson for the future?
Macwomble
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Are you suggesting we close the line & rely on road transport only?
ChiefPlanner
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Not knowing the area at all - I am quite surprised that the "normal" road option beats the train. Off topic I know - but how are loadings holding up train wise , having read about the 15% or so fall in traffic on the Far North lines.
Admittedly - this really is the lowest point of the year for loadings all over ......
Adlington
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That's a more extreme solution... A more moderate option is to take the coach every time, and keep the line open for those not in a hurry ....
pacenotes
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Any new photos today?
Essan
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Only a drone image from across the loch
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-42791614
Essan
Member
Some prefer the comfort of a 156 over a crowded coach. And the A82 has been known to be closed by landslides too - necessitating a detour via Newtonmore .... But yes, normally, the coach from the Fort to Glasgow is quicker. Unless you are travelling from one of the intermediate stations between the Fort and Bridge of Orchy.
Kite159
Veteran Member
One good bit of news is that the Mallaig extension runs alongside the A830 with all the small stations along the route being close to the road so having a rail replacement bus/coach service isn't going to be too hard to organise (I'm guessing some coaches are not in high demand during the winter months).
Hopefully one of my favourite 156s gets recovered, and back on the rails after a bit of a polish.
Hopefully one of my favourite 156s gets recovered, and back on the rails after a bit of a polish.
Essan
Member
The rail replacement bus will also stop between stations - so can be better!
(never been sure about being picked up, but being dropped off is never a problem)
(never been sure about being picked up, but being dropped off is never a problem)
Highlandspring
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There are some really good photos (apart from the one released to the media - but unfortunately I can't post them...
pacenotes
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spoilsport 
Chris125
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That would seem unlikely looking at the numbers on Wikipedia - they've remained pretty consistent despite quite a growth in the number of Jacobite services in recent years as the season has expanded and extra services run.
A quick glance at an atlas will show you that the road is much shorter than the train. The coach schedule is 3 hours or less. The train is over 3 1/2, not helped by the time to join or split the train at Crianlarich. It's also more frequent with at least four coaches a day, several more in summer. And in Scotland the bus pass is valid on coaches, not just Local buses.
RJ21
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I've used the bus before now, I prefer to use the WHL where I can but once would have not made a connection further south and another time came in to Oban from Coll on the ferry, the passenger gangway was being lowered just as the guard on the 156 in the station closed the door. And that was the ferry from Barra which had called at Coll on the way. Needless to say the bus being half an hour later overtook the train and was in Glasgow faster. Still prefer the train though.
STEVIEBOY1
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Shame they can't co-ordinate the ferries and trains better.
I think the road journey too from Inverness to Wick is faster than the train. However in as other have said, I too would prefer to take the train rat
her than coach. Although sometimes I have know every seat on the trains to be reserved, often for touring coach parties.
YorkshireBear
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I agree.
How would they get the numbers from west coast into the system? Surely the numbers are calculated based on tickets?
Bot won't stop at all the stations.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
the location is a challenge but i cant see why the unit wont be recovered. It isnt far off the track.
PaulLothian
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Most of the Road to the Isles has been considerably improved, with quite long stretches where it is perfectly possible to keep up to the relevant speed limit, even in my elderly campervan. The only remaining relatively slow bit is along the north side of Loch Eilt and the climb up to the pass along to Glenfinnan. In bad weather, waterfalls come over the edges of the cuttings where the road has been widened, which gives an idea of the challenges of managing water in this area!
Not only my favourite stretch of railway, but one of my favourite roads!
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