Landslide on the Fort William -> Mallaig line

[Mcr Warrior]

Any update on the extent of the track damage on the Fort William -> Mallaig line (between Glenfinnan and Lochailort) following the thunderstorms on Thursday which I believe will mean that the line will be out of use until mid July. Hear that the ballast under some 80 metres of track was washed away.

It's certainly fairly remote country up there!

 

[59CosG95]

Any update on the extent of the track damage on the Fort William -> Mallaig line (between Glenfinnan and Lochailort) following the thunderstorms on Thursday which I believe will mean that the line will be out of use until mid July. Hear that the ballast under some 80 metres of track was washed away.

It's certainly fairly remote country up there!

I suspect, cynically, that the Highland Tourist Board are a bit relieved - it means less chance of a rise in COVID cases if the railway's out of commission!

That said, it's a definite blow for all those who need to travel between Fort Bill & Mallaig, as they'll have to bustituted until it's all repaired.

 

[InOban]

The latest estimate is the 13th, two days before the Jacobite is due to start.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is it correct that the Jacobite will be non-stopping at Glenfinnan as and when services on the Fort William -> Mallaig line return (hopefully 13th July as mentioned above)? And how will such Jacobite services interlace with Scotrail trains given that there aren't many passing places on the line?

 

[Ploughman]

Is it more likely that the train will not be booked to stop for passenger purpose but will still stop for operational purposes?
To avoid any possible Covid transfer.

 

[Macwomble]

Is it correct that the Jacobite will be non-stopping at Glenfinnan as and when services on the Fort William -> Mallaig line return (hopefully 13th July as mentioned above)?

Almost certainly will stop at Glenfinnan; in fact will have to as there & Arisaig are the only two crossing points between Mallaig & Fort Bill.

 

[InOban]

It will have to stop to exchange the radio token. I think that all seats will be reserved, no pickup or set down at intermediate stations.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It will have to stop to exchange the radio token. I think that all seats will be reserved, no pickup or set down at intermediate stations.

Believe that there may be set down / pickup at Arisaig as well as at the terminus at Mallaig (but not at Glenfinnan).

 

[FQTV]

Is it correct that the Jacobite will be non-stopping at Glenfinnan as and when services on the Fort William -> Mallaig line return (hopefully 13th July as mentioned above)? And how will such Jacobite services interlace with Scotrail trains given that there aren't many passing places on the line?

The café and museum at Glenfinnan aren't opening this Summer, so it’s not going to be an advertised stop for The Jacobite, apparently.

Having said that, RealTimeTrains still has a 26 minute layover time showing at Glenfinnan for the morning service, with the token exchange of course.

 

[Essan]

Anyone know exactly where this occurred? Looking at the pictures in this report it looks to be at the back of Craiglea, near Arieniskill, by the west end of Loch Eilt (about a mile and a half east of Lochailort)?

Landslip halts train services on West Highland Line

Engineers on site assessing impact of landslip between Lochailort and Glenfinnan.

news.stv.tv

Just curious - sadly it will be a while before I am back up there again

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Anyone know exactly where this occurred? Looking at the pictures in this report it looks to be at the back of Craiglea, near Arieniskill, by the west end of Loch Eilt (about a mile and a half east of Lochailort)

I believe that this location is correct, there is a local Press & Journal news report of a property (which cross checks to being at Craiglea in Lochailort) being impacted by a localised deluge on Thursday and the story also mentions the railway being affected and not being that far away. (30 feet distance).

Highland charity picking up pieces after years of work washed away by flooding

A north couple who saw years of work on their charity destroyed by flooding have vowed to keep going to honour the memory of their daughter. John and Jan

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

 

[XAM2175]

The co-ordinates given in the last photograph from the STV report also appear to confirm that:

56°53'12.8"N 5°38'02.6"W · Central Scotland

Central Scotland

goo.gl

 

[Essan]

I believe that this location is correct, there is a local Press & Journal news report of a property (which cross checks to being at Craiglea in Lochailort) being impacted by a localised deluge on Thursday and the story also mentions the railway being affected and not being that far away. (30 feet distance).

Highland charity picking up pieces after years of work washed away by flooding

A north couple who saw years of work on their charity destroyed by flooding have vowed to keep going to honour the memory of their daughter. John and Jan

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Thanks for that. I had seen something about Kirsty's Kids but never put 2 and 2 together .... The Bryden's moved in there just after I left LA in 1999

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Craiglea = registered address of the charity.

 

[pacenotes]

The co-ordinates given in the last photograph from the STV report also appear to confirm that:

56°53'12.8"N 5°38'02.6"W · Central Scotland

Central Scotland

goo.gl

That's an interesting house next door. Don't look too much at the google photos...

I hope the engineers working on it won't get too much of a look one day.

 

[haggishunter]

That's an interesting house next door.

OMG imagine the midges!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Another of Mr. B's enterprises?

 

[Essan]

That's an interesting house next door. Don't look too much at the google photos...

I hope the engineers working on it won't get too much of a look one day.

A bit more info here which explains it

In 2013 realising that there were many weeks of the year when the house was unoccupied they wanted to maximise the chance to fund the children’s charity. About this time they were contacted by a member of British Naturism, a young man who suffers from Cerebral palsy with seriously limited movement, but being financially secure he asked about staying as a paying guest. The young man enjoyed an independent vacation which allowed him dignity and self-respect particularly at times of personal hygiene.

After some thought the concept of West Highland Retreat was born. Jan & John realised there was a lack of facilities for genuine naturists in the UK.

~ ~ ~

Realising that there were very limited facilities for genuine naturist families it seemed a unique selling point to allow naturists to pay for a holiday on the vacant times when no respite care kids were in residence.

Since then guests have been able to enjoy the highlands as paying guests and in doing so help Jan and John to meet the running costs of the centre.

Never the twain shall meet - it is important to understand that while WHR is occupied by paying guests it is never occupied by Respite Care families and vice versa.

https://westhighlandretreat.co.uk/about-us-1

 

[Essan]

OMG imagine the midges!

The midges love it

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Line now re-open. Over 1600 tonnes of material used in the repair, apparently.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Does that mean the Jacobite Steam trains will be running?

 

[InOban]

Yes. That's why the engines and stock came North over the weekend. Pics all over social media.

 

[FQTV]

Does that mean the Jacobite Steam trains will be running?

In case it's of interest, I've set up a thread for specific Jacobite news/experiences for ths year at:

The Jacobite 2020 & 2021 Seasons

I see that the paths for The Jacobite stock have now appeared on Real Time Trains for the 12th and 13th July, in time for the planned start of services on the 15th. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/37426/2020-07-12/detailed...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

In case it's of interest, I've set up a thread for specific Jacobite news/experiences for ths year at:

The Jacobite 2020 & 2021 Seasons

I see that the paths for The Jacobite stock have now appeared on Real Time Trains for the 12th and 13th July, in time for the planned start of services on the 15th. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/37426/2020-07-12/detailed...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thank you, I shall have a look.