Kyle of Lochalsh Line

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Legend Kyle of Lochalsh Duirinish Plockton Duncraig Stromeferry Attadale Strathcarron Achnashellach Achnasheen Achanalt Lochluichart Garve Far North Line Dingwall Muir of Ord Beauly River Ness Rose Street & Welsh's Bridge Junctions Inverness Millburn Junction Highland Main Line Aberdeen to Inverness Line

The Kyle of Lochalsh Line is a primarily single track railway line in the Scottish Highlands, running from Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh. The population along the route is sparse in nature, but the scenery is beautiful and can be quite dramatic, the Kyle line having been likened to a symphony in three parts: pastoral, mountain and sea. Many of the passengers on the trains are tourists but one can also expect to meet locals visiting Inverness for shopping, and commuters. All services are provided by First ScotRail and run to Inverness. To maintain the passenger link beyond Inverness, a train runs beyond, having in the past come from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

History

The route was built in three sections:-

• Inverness and Ross-shire Railway between Inverness and Dingwall
• Dingwall and Skye Railway between Dingwall and Stromeferry
• Kyle of Lochalsh Extension (Highland Railway) between Stromeferry and Kyle of Lochalsh

Latterly the Strathpeffer Branch operated between 1885 and 1951.

In 1989 the bridge over the River Ness was washed away, leaving both it and the Far North Line stranded, but new "Sprinter" trains were brought over by road, and a temporary yard was built to service them at Muir of Ord. The section of line along Loch Carron is particularly troublesome and prone to landslides, often closing that section.

Whilst undeniably a rural line, a historic term in the act of parliament for the railways here and around Inverness means that one through service per week is operated from Aberdeen, whereas all other services start and finish at Inverness.

Beeching Report

In the 1960s the line was listed to be axed under the Beeching Report. However the line was reprieved and services continued.

Modernisation

From 1999 onwards, the then ScotRail owner, National Express, began the removal of the Class 156 "Sprinter" trains. Their replacement was to be the faster, higher standard Class 158. These trains offered a better all round travelling experience, with air conditioning, improved speed, lighting, seating, storage and general comfort. There is now a dedicated fleet of Class 158 units based at Inverness serving the Kyle of Lochalsh line (also serving the Far North Line and Aberdeen to Inverness Line). The current franchise owner First ScotRail has continued the current situation, with improvement to the depot facilities at Inverness.

Services

2007/08

During the winter months there are three, generally 2 car services, per day in both directions, with no Sunday services. During summer months, Monday to Saturday services increase to four in both directions, mostly running as 4 cars, with two additional services running in each direction on a Sunday.

From December 2008

As of December 2008 service enhancements have meant the introduction of four daily trains all year round, Monday - Saturday.

Route

The stations on the line that have passing loops are Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Garve, Achnasheen and Strathcarron. Garve serves as a link for bus services to Ullapool and the ferry to Stornoway. Achnasheen provides road links westward to Gairloch. Strathcarron allows connection onwards to the villages of Lochcarron, Torridon and Applecross.

Only Dingwall and Kyle stations are staffed, however all stations along the route have lighting and passenger information posters with train timetable details. Most have passenger information telephone points fitted so that remote customer service staff can be contacted, normal office hours apply.

Kyle of Lochalsh Line in film

The Kyle of Lochalsh Line was featured in Eddie McConnell's lyrical documentary The Line to Skye (1973) with commentary by Scottish writer William McIlvanney, commissioned as part of Ross & Cromarty's campaign to keep the line open at a time when it was threatened with closure. The film follows the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, describing the communities, landscape and wildlife along its route, while constrasting the frustration of motorists with the relaxation of the journey by rail.^[1]

In Stephen Durrell's 1939 documentary West of Inverness, the importance of the Kyle of Lochalsh line to the crofters of the West Highlands is demonstrated through its role of transporting passengers, mail, parcels, food and livestock to and from their communities. The film shows the LMS steam locomotives that operated the line at this time.^[2]

Gallery

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kyle of Lochalsh Line

The passing loop at Achnasheen, Wester Ross

A busy Express service departing Achnasheen station for Kyle of Lochalsh (the train was about 90% full)

A Class 158, with a service from Inverness arrives at the western terminus of the line; Isle of Skye behind

References

External links

• Dingwall and Skye Railway
• Kyle of Lochalsh Extension Railway
• Strathpeffer Branch
• Historical timetables for this line. See Timetable World - The online collection of historical transport timetables and maps from around the world