Introduction On the 13th of April 2024, I rode on the Class 158 DMU between Inverness and Tain on the Far North Line that goes to Ardgay. The route has mountainous scenery, grassy fields with some containing horses and even resting geese, snowcapped mountains and running alongside the Cromararthy Firth between Dingwall and Invergordon, where you might see a Ferry docked at the nearby port. The full Far North Line is on the map, but this route will only go as far as Ardgay. The line was opened in stages from 1862 and it was completed in 1874 running to Wick. It is mostly single-track with some areas of the line having a double-track pass at some stations including Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Invergordon, Tain and Ardgay. It is a route that I enjoyed so much that I thought it might make a great addition to the game. One of my photos of Tain Station. The building is now a restaurant called Platform 1864 and yes, I did have dinner in there on Monday Rolling Stock ScotRail Class 158 DMU Calling Points Inbhir Nis (Inverness) - Àird Ghaoithe (Ardgay) is part of the Far North Line with a run time of 1 hour 29 minutes and it is operated by ScotRail using the Class 158 and calls at... - Inbhir Nis (Inverness) - A' Mhamachainn (Beauly) - Am Blàir Dubh (Muir of Ord) - Drochaid Sguideil (Conon Bridge) - Inbhirpheoharain (Dingwall) - Alanais (Alness) - Inbhir Ghòrdain (Invergordon) - Manachainn Rois (Fearn) - Baile Dhubhtthaich (Tain) - Àird Ghaoithe (Ardgay) Invergordon is uniquely designed with a scene from the Second World War that commemorates the Jellicoe Express. Additional Information By 2035, the Scottish government hopes to have the line between Inverness and Tain electrified with overhead cables, as well as proposals of reopening currently closed stations including Evanton between Dingwall and Alness which has been closed since the 1960s.
Apart from needing stock to populate Inverness, we are getting a ScotRail Class 158 so this route can be possible. Full line would be preferable but as I understand it the full journey is around 4 hours.
Oh man... What must my poor eyes be seeing . I don't know which one to choose between this one, Highland, West Highland, Kyle or Aberdeen-Inverness. I love the single track and the 158!
The far north line will not be electrified as the line will be run by battery powered trains. Where ever you got the info for Tain and Inverness section to be electrified is completely false
This. And logically you need to go at least to Lairg so you can run the oil train. In the 70’s there were several freight trips a day to Invergordon and you also had the grain terminal at Muir Of Ord. Biggest issue this line would have even with the freight is the few and far between train service. There were only three passenger trains a day in each direction from Inverness to the Far North and another three to/from Kyle. Even with the freight on a typical day that’s going to be no more than 25 to 30 total movements for the timetable.
The service I was on in April terminated at Ardgay which I thought would be a good conclusion to the route for TSW.
