Caithness CWS - Links

Railways

1 April 04
CASE FOR RAIL IN THE HIGHLANDS STRONGER THAN EVER
Demand for rail services in the Highlands has grown significantly in recent years according to a major new report published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The study challenges perceptions that the Highland rail network is lightly used, dominated by tourist traffic and represents poor value for the public funding it receives. It details how rail contributes significantly to the Highlands and Islands' economy, supporting more than 1,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and underpins the viability of many businesses in the region. It also describes how the network helps to retain population in more remote areas and provides important onward links to island communities. The report also considers the importance of rail freight and the rail network's environmental benefits.

Scottish Railways
Model of a train that ran on the Wick Lybster Railway. The model was built by Caithness Model Locomotive Builder Brian Powell for an order. the model locomotive was built about three or four years ago, and is built in "O"gauge (7mm to a foot)

With the imminent opening of the Wick & Lybster Light Railway the Highland Railway needed motive power for the line. In 1890 a small 0-4-4 saddle tank locomotive was built for the Strathpeffer branch line and logically was named "Strathpeffer".
In 1901 it was given a new boiler and the small saddle tank was removed and replaced by side tanks with a greater capacity for water. Then in 1903 it was decided that it was an ideal size for the Wick/Lybster branch, and was renamed "Lybster". The colour scheme of the Highland Railway at this time was very spartan, being plain dark olive-green with no lining.
On 1st July 1903 this little locomotive pulled the inaugural train of roughly six mainly 6-wheeled carriages from Wick to Lybster, and continued as main motive power until it's withdrawal and probable scrapping in December 1929.The model is finished in it's attractive L.M.S. crimson lake colour with yellow lining, without a name, but numbered 15050. This livery was carried from roughly 1923 until scrapping.

Stations From Inverness To Caithness
Inverness - Beauly - Muir of Ord - Dingwall - Alness - Invergordon - Fearn - Tain - Ardgay - Culrain - Invershin - Lairg - Rogart - Golspie - Dunrobin - Brora - Helmsdale - Kildonan - Kinbrace - Forsdinard - Altnabreac - Scotscalder - Georgemas Junction (Trains split at Georgemas) - Wick and Thurso

Distances From Inverness By Rail (shorter by road)
Wick 161 - Thurso 154 - Georgemas 147 - Helmsdale 101 - Brora 90 - Lairg 67 - Tain 44 - Dingwall 19

Highland Railway Archive Records
In North Highland Archive, Wick
The archive includes Iain Sutherland's notes and drafts for his book 'The Wick & Lybster Railway' and the original memorandum from 1901.
Plans of Georgemas Junction; copies of shareholders minutes.
Extensive council minutes and local newspapers covering the extension to Wick 1872.
A selection of photographs.
Census records showing staff and station houses
Large-scale OS maps.

Friends Of The Far North Line
The Friends of the Far North Line is the campaign group for rail north of Inverness, lobbying for improved services for local users, tourists and freight.

13 October 03
Excursion Train From London At Wick Station
The popularity of train trips to the north of Scotland seems to be gaining ground as yet another excursion train left wick on Monday morning after a weekend in the far north. With meals served aboard the train and stops for short trips around the various stops the journey to the north by train seems to have a lot to offer people who want to leave the car at home........

19 June 03
Deltic Preservation Society Trip To Caithness
Monday 23 June 2003
A special train will descend on both Wick and Thurso on Monday 23rd June. It is really a "very special" as it will be hauled by a deltic loco[actually two-- 55019 and 55009] and should arrive in the early hours of morning morning--certainly before 8 am. It's Wick first then Thurso after that down the road to Dingwall for a trip to Kyle. Those interested in local railways will want to see the train. No exact times and things are a little flexible on the 4 day tour of Scotland.
Deltic Preservation Web site
According to the web site the times are -
MONDAY JUNE 23RD: Inverness Rose Street (00.25) - Dingwall - Georgemas Junc (04.24/04.54) - Thurso (05.05/05.35) - Georgemas Junc (05.54/07.35) - Wick (0754/08.24) - Forsinard (09.17/10.22) - Helsmdale (10.56/11.24) - Dingwall (14.11/14.41) - Kyle (16.55/18.02) - Dingwall (20.18) - Rose Street (20.52/20.57) - Aviemore (21.51).

20 April 03
Easter Train Takes The Strain To Caithness, Orkney And The Highlands

Hertfordshire Train Tours
The Pride of the Nation for a luxury four-day excursion through the magnificent Scottish Highlands! Based in luxury hotels in Inverness, the itinerary includes the highly scenic rail routes to Wick, Thurso and Kyle of Lochalsh, visits to dramatic Dunrobin Castle and remote John O’Groats, and an unforgettable tour of the Isle of Skye. Ran in 2002 from Good Friday for four days to 1 April 2002. Started in London.
See the train in Wick station 2002

Rail Track UK Timetable

Scotrail Journey Planner
Lets you put in the start and finish and produce route and prices etc.

Network Rail
Network Rail is an engineering company formed to revitalise Britain's railways. We maintain, improve and upgrade every aspect of the railway infrastructure, including. the web site has timetables and booking facilities linked to it.

The Trainline - booking for most trains

Virgin Trains
Virgin West Coast operates
West Coast Main Line services between Glasgow and London Euston.
Virgin Cross-Country operates services between Scotland and most areas of England.

Great North Eastern Railway
GNER operates East Coast Main Line services between
Scotland & London Kings Cross

Rail Rover Tickets in the UK

Eurostar -London-Paris-Brussels

Rail Regulator

Rail Europe

European Rail Travel

EuropeRail Passes etc