The West Highland Line is set to see a 9-day line closure between Crianlarich and Fort William/Mallaig from Saturday the 16th of March until Monday the 25th of March 2024.

During the line closure, Network Rail will carry out essential upgrade work on Rannoch viaduct, which is located just north of Rannoch station.

The work comes as part of a £1.6m investment which will see the viaduct’s operational life extended into the future and will involve the following work:

• Replacement of 50 life expired, longitudinal softwood timbers (way beams) which run the length of the viaduct, with hardwood alternatives
• Renewal of existing baseplates and rail
• Repair, clean and repainting of metal girders

To make full use of the line closure, Network Rail will also carry out the following work:

• Improvement of multiple sections of track between Tyndrum and Roy Bridge and between Spean Bridge and Arisaig
• Signalling upgrades between Fort William and Spean Bridge
• Drainage enhancements south of Rannoch station

The project will see engineers working around the clock in order to get the line back open and passengers on the move once again.

During the period of work, the following services will be affected and rail replacement buses in operation between :

• Glasgow Queen Street and Fort William/Mallaig
• Crianlarich and Fort William
• Fort William and Mallaig

During the closure, trains will also be replaced by buses from Tulloch, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge station to Fort William.

However, no services will operate to Rannoch and Corrour during the period of work.

Trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban will operate as normal during the line closure.

The work we are undertaking in March is essential and cannot be delivered without closing the railway.

We know that closing the railway at any time is never ideal, however we always endeavour to plan our work for when fewer people are travelling on the railway and at a time which reduces overall inconvenience for the travelling public.

We understand that this is not great news for those making plans to travel to visit family or friends or for leisure purposes, but our team will be working around the clock to deliver these works safely and on time.

We thank passengers for their patience and understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Zoe Monkhouse, Network Rail’s Project Manager for the Rannoch Viaduct Project

We know the impact this line closure will have on customers, and we will be doing everything we can to keep people moving during the work.

Replacement buses will be in operation, but journey times will take longer, and we encourage customers to check before they travel using the ScotRail website, app, or social media channels.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Custoemr Operations Director