The West Highland line is once again open to trains after Network Rail completed the upgrade of the Rannoch Viaduct.

The work which saw a nine-day blockade of the line, from Saturday 16 March until Monday 25 March, included the lifting of the original track so that 50 softwood timbers, which sit across the structure, could be replaced with hardwood beams. Work also included the base plates before the line was re-laid.

At a cost of £1.6m, this project ensures the longevity of the viaduct for years to come, as well as making sure the structure is safe and capable of handling the trains that use the viaduct as they make their way between Glasgow and Fort William.

As well as the work undertaken on Rannoch Viaduct, Network Rail also re-laid the track between Tyndrum and Roy Bridge and between Spean Bridge and Arisaig.

They also modified and upgraded the signalling system on the lines into Fort William and within the signal box, which included moving a few signal posts and replacing all the lamps on the signals with brighter and more efficient LED lights.

Other projects along the West Highland are also ongoing or in the pipeline, to ensure the whole of the West Highland Line is safeguarded against extreme weather conditions in the years to come.

Our team has worked around the clock to deliver this project safely and efficiently and to get the line re-opened for passengers as planned. This investment will extend the lifespan of the structure, improving the long-term reliability of the line, and we are pleased to have completed the work on time. We would like to thank passengers for their patience during the project.”

Zoe Monkhouse, Network Rail’s project manager for the Rannoch viaduct project.