Repairs to viaduct made famous by Harry Potter complete after £3.4m project
The popular tourist attraction in the Highlands, made famous worldwide by the Potter films, has undergone an extensive maintenance programme to safeguard its future.
Network Rail has carried out concrete repairs across the structure sympathetically, taking care to replicate its heritage appearance.
New safety handrails for staff working at height were installed, along with renewing ballast retention systems at the ends of the structure.
Engineers also worked in the River Finnan, protecting the piers from erosion caused by the fast-flowing river. Network Rail Specially trained rope access technicians descended from the viaduct, reaching and restoring areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Meanwhile, specially trained rope access technicians descended from the viaduct, reaching and restoring areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: 'This project was years in planning due to the complexity of navigating such a large-scale, historic structure.
'Our highly skilled team faced numerous challenges, from preserving the viaduct's original integrity to implementing modern engineering solutions.
'Every step of the process required meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for its heritage.
'It's an honour to look after the Glenfinnan Viaduct, knowing how much it's loved all over the world. We're proud to see it standing strong and it's a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.'
The viaduct opened in 1901 and is the largest mass concrete viaduct in Scotland, spanning more than 1,000 feet. The build cost £18,904 at the time.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has designated the structure as category A, the highest level, meaning it's of significant architectural and historical interest. Network Rail The viaduct opened in 1901 and is the largest mass concrete viaduct in Scotland.
As part of its preservation, Network Rail refrains from cleaning off efflorescence marks from the rain as it drains through, ensuring the character of the structure remains.
Ann MacSween, head of planning, consents and advice services at HES, said: 'We welcome Network Rail's investment into the careful repair of this iconic structure.
'Glenfinnan is the most impressive of several mass concrete railway viaducts and bridges along the West Highland Line, which was built 1897-1901. These bridges were mostly designed with an exposed concrete finish, rather than being faced in stone, and are the earliest railway bridges of this style in Scotland.
'Over a century after it was first built, Glenfinnan Viaduct still stands strong today, in no small part due to Network Rail's excellent care.'
Thousands of visitors every year pass over the arches aboard ScotRail trains and the 'Hogwarts Express' Jacobite steam train operated by West Coast Railways.
James Shuttleworth, West Coast Railways' Commercial Manager, added: 'Having run 'The Jacobite' for over three decades and celebrated its centenary in 2001, we truly appreciate the historic significance of the viaduct.
'The recent restoration work has further highlighted its importance, not only as a vital piece of railway heritage, but also as a beloved film star in Harry Potter, for which we proudly provided 'The Hogwarts Express.'
The restoration of the viaduct is part of a broader programme of work in the Glenfinnan area as part of a two-year pilot project to enhance the natural habitat.
The initiative includes planting trees across approximately 200 hectares to protect, restore and expand rainforest and peatland habitats.
Additionally, deer fencing has been installed at Ardmolich to safeguard the newly planted native woodlands from overgrazing.
Network Rail is also investing £500,000 to renew over five kilometres of lineside fencing near the viaduct.
The project aims to replace life-expired boundary fencing, ensuring the track remains safely separated from public areas.
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
19 hours ago
- The Sun
Summer trains misery with commuters facing ‘wrong soil' hell after clay under tracks dries up
RAIL commuters face 'wrong soil' hell after clay under tracks dried up so much that trains have to go slow. Services between parts of Essex and London will be hit for two to three months. Similar problems have affected the West Country after the driest spring since 1974. Infrastructure manager Network Rail said it had dropped 12,600 tons of ballast to minimise clay shrinkage on the Essex route in the past year. But this had not been enough to solve the problem. It said speed restrictions had been introduced 'to keep everyone moving safely'. One commuter said: 'I've heard of leaves on the line and the wrong type of snow. "Now the delays are due to the wrong type of soil.' Network Rail Anglia and c2c Railway, which run services across the network, apologised for the disruption. Buses will replace Greater Anglia trains for some late evening journeys on Mondays to Thursdays. Watch the shocking moment cow puts Irish Rail services to a HALT during morning rush 1
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Heart of Wales line improvements praised by Ken Skates
ONE of the most picturesque rail routes in the UK has been praised by Welsh transport minister Ken Skates for showing consistent improvement in performance and reliability for passengers this year. The latest figures for the Heart of Wales line, which connects Swansea with Shrewsbury via Llandrindod Wells, show that the reliability rate of services along the route stood at 97.5 per cent between June 22 and July 19. During this period, 283 services were scheduled to operate and 276 services ran. There were seven cancellations. Punctuality of these services arriving within three minutes of their advertised time also increased to 81.2 per cent, up from 64 per cent at the beginning of the year, bringing reassurance and an overall better experience to local passengers and day travellers. Since January 2025, the reliability of trains run on this line has consistently been above 90 per cent. The Heart of Wales (HoW) line travels through some of Wales' most breathtaking landscapes, including the rolling hills and beautiful rural villages of Powys, and has been described as a "national treasure". In February of this year, it was named by National Geographic among the world's best train trips. The route offers not just a means of transport but an experience, attracting customers from near and far and acting as a lifeline for work, education and leisure. Cabinet secretary for transport Ken Skates said: 'Delivering better transport is a priority for this government and I'm pleased to see this encouraging improvement on the Heart of Wales line. 'It's good to see improvements in the experience of passengers and I'd like to thank all those involved in delivering this.' Colin Lea, planning and performance director at Transport for Wales, added: 'These figures are encouraging and reflect the work we and our partners at Network Rail have been doing to deliver a consistently reliable train service. 'We recognise the importance of the service to those communities along this line and that there have been times recently where our service hasn't been to the standard expected by customers. 'While it's pleasing to see performance improving and heading in the right direction, there are still improvements to be made.' The improved figures are thanks to the hard work of staff and Network Rail partners who maintain the track and trains with exceptional dedication. It's also a result of the passion of all those involved in the HoW Line's local railways and community rail initiatives, who work closely together to improve the railway experience across Wales. Local railways is a joint initiative with industry partners Network Rail and BTP, working together to improve the overall rail experience in localised locations. Examples of recent local railways initiatives include a deep clean of Llandrindod station; the successful introduction of new active travel class 153 trains; the trial of additional Sunday services during high summer; siting a new container on the northbound platform at Llandrindod which allows rapid access to essential materials without requiring a block of the railway line, reducing delays and signaller workload thus increasing reliability.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
‘I travelled to Scotland on beautiful 8-hour sleeper train but price will make you wince'
A man has shared his experience of travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh - but viewers were left baffled by the price of the luxury train ride A travel influencer made a bold claim about his experience aboard Scotland's sleeper train. But his followers have been left astounded by the price tag that comes with the journey. TikTok user GeorgeInLondon documented his journey from London to Edinburgh on the Caledonian Sleeper, a service that operates every weeknight and Sunday. The train features overnight cabins and takes approximately eight hours to reach Edinburgh 's Waverley Station. The Caledonian Sleeper services also stop at other key Scottish destinations including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness. Dundee, Arbroath and Motherwell are also on the route for some lines, which can take up to 12 hours to travel. As such, the splendour of the Scottish landscape is on show for all passengers to see during the lighter months. Despite the train's appeal being partly due to the breathtaking Scottish landscapes it passes through, George admitted he "didn't get the opportunity to see" these owing to his autumn travel dates. He even plans to rebook in spring or summer to ensure he doesn't miss out again. George opted for a club en-suite, but there are various accommodation options available. Passengers can select a seat in the main coach or pay extra for a 'classic' twin bunk bed cabin. Alternatively, they can follow George's example with the club en-suite, or splurge on the top-tier Caledonian Double en-suite, which boasts a double bed and shower room. In a video posted on TikTok, George expressed his delight with the experience, gushing that he "absolutely loved it". He found the cabin "so cosy", and commended the "soft" duvet and pillows provided for his trip. The cabin was equipped with USB charging ports, plug sockets, and a reading light, while the en-suite facilities comprised a shower, toilet, and sink. He added: "You are also given sleep packs which include an eye mask and earplugs. I'd say if you are a lighter sleeper, you might need these. "But for me, the sounds and movement of the train definitely added to the whole experience and I really did feel like I was travelling up on the Hogwarts Express. "It was so cool, but I would recommend only bringing hand luggage with you just to give yourself enough space as possible you can store bags underneath your bed. "If you do have bigger bags, then speak to the train staff and they'll be able to help store your bags for you outside of your cabin." Those who opt for the club cabins also gain access to the club car, a place where passengers can indulge in a late-night tipple, dinner, specials and a morning breakfast - which George described as "delicious". Additionally, club cabin bookers are granted entry to an exclusive lounge at London Euston that provides complimentary refreshments and shower facilities for use before or after the journey. However, not all viewers were as impressed as George. After watching his review, some expressed their surprise and disappointment at the cost of travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper. One user labelled the service a "rip off" and another lamented that it "cost more than an all-inclusive in Greece". A further dissatisfied customer commented: "I've done this and it's the bumpiest, loudest journey, you'll get zero sleep and it costs a fortune." For those looking to travel on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Edinburgh during the first weekend of April 2026, a seat in the main coach is priced at £54 per person. For those desiring a bit more comfort, the cost can soar to nearly five times that for a private cabin. A classic twin bunk bedroom with a washbasin will set travellers back £250, regardless of the number of occupants, while the club en-suite preferred by George is priced at £285 for all guests. At the top end, the "flagship" Caledonian double en-suite commands a price of £380 for all guests.
