View source for Kyle of Lochalsh line

{{Short description|Railway line in the Scottish Highlands}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Kyle of Lochalsh line
| color                           = 
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 145px
| image                           = Duncraig Loch Carron.jpg
| image_width                     = 290px
| caption                         = The platform at [[Duncraig railway station]] alongside [[Loch Carron]], looking northeast towards Inverness
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
| type                            = 
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Operational
| locale                          = [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], [[Scotland]]
| start                           = {{rws|Dingwall}}
| end                             = {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}}
| stations                        = 13
| routes                          = 
| open                            = 
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[Network Rail]]
| operator                        = [[ScotRail]]
| character                       = Rural
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = {{brc|158}}
| linelength                      = {{cvt|63|mi|64|ch|km}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = [[Single track (rail)|Single-track]] with [[passing loop]]s
| gauge                           = [[Standard gauge]] {{RailGauge|sg}}
| speed                           = {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = {{switcher
| [[File:Kyle of Lochalsh line.PNG|290px]]<br />([[:commons:File:Kyle of Lochalsh line.png|Click to expand]])
| Show map
| {{Kyle of Lochalsh Line|inline=y}}
| Show route diagram
}}
}}
The '''Kyle of Lochalsh line''' is a primarily [[Single-track railway|single-track]] railway line in the [[Scottish Highlands]], from {{rws|Dingwall}} to {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}}. Many of the passengers are tourists, but there are also locals visiting Inverness for shopping, and commuters. All services are provided by [[ScotRail]] and run beyond Dingwall to {{rws|Inverness}}. In the past there were some through services to and from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.<ref>GB National Rail Timetable 2013-14, Tables 239 & 240 (Network Rail)</ref> None of the {{convert|63|mi|adj=on}} line is electrified, and all trains on the line are diesel-powered, as are all other trains in the Scottish Highlands.

==Route==
The Kyle of Lochalsh line runs east-west and links the town of [[Dingwall]], on the east coast of the Highlands at the tip of the [[Cromarty Firth]], with the village of [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] on the west coast, close to the [[Isle of Skye]]. The line lies entirely within the former county of [[Ross and Cromarty]], part of the modern-day [[Highland (council area)|Highland]] [[Council areas of Scotland|council area]].

===Dingwall–Achnasheen: Easter Ross===
[[File:Dingwall station - geograph.org.uk - 6897562.jpg|thumb|[[Dingwall railway station]]]]
[[File:Lochluichart railway station - geograph.org.uk - 7128563.jpg|thumb|[[Lochluichart railway station]]]]
The route begins at [[Dingwall railway station|Dingwall station]]{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH553586}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|0|mi|0|ch|km}}<ref name="route">{{cite book|title=TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain|publisher=Platform 5|pages=97–99|date=2017|isbn=978-1909431-26-3|edition=3rd}}</ref>}} – a junction station with the [[Far North Line]], which runs (mostly) along the [[Moray Firth]] and links {{rws|Inverness}} with {{rws|Wick}} and {{rws|Thurso}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain|publisher=Platform 5|pages=99, 102–104|date=2017|isbn=978-1909431-26-3|edition=3rd}}</ref> Almost immediately north of Dingwall, the two lines diverge at ''Dingwall Junction''{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH554590}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|0|mi|19|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} and the line to Kyle of Lochalsh takes a sharp left turn to head west.

Initially, the single-track line briefly follows the course of the [[A834 road]] until it abruptly curves off to the north, crossing over the River Peffery, only to turn west again. There used to be a short branch line here that went straight on towards {{rws|Strathpeffer}}; this branch closed to passengers in 1946 and closed completely in 1951.<ref name = ross>David Ross, ''The Highland Railway'', Tempus Publishing Limited, Stroud, 2005, {{ISBN|0 7524 3479 9}}</ref><ref name = forgotten>John Thomas, ''Forgotten Railways: Scotland'', David and Charles (Publishers) Limited, Newton Abbot, 1976, {{ISBN|0 7153 7185 1}}</ref> The line to Kyle, meanwhile, bypasses the town about {{convert|1|mi|km}} to the north; [[Achterneed railway station|Achterneed station]]{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH490597}}}} existed along this stretch and also served [[Strathpeffer]] until it too closed in 1964.<ref name="Butt13">Butt (1995), page 13</ref> Achterneed is one of only three stations on the main line to have been closed, and one of two that were never reopened.

The line then continues west, climbing at gradients as steep as 1 in 50, until it passes close to the summit of Raven Rock where it starts descending. It eventually meets the [[Black Water (Conon)|Black Water]] – a tributary of the [[River Conon]] – and follows it upstream alongside the [[A832 road]]. The railway and the road both skirt the southern edge of Loch Garve and then turn northwest, approaching the first open station on the line – {{rws|Garve}}.{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH395613}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|11|mi|65|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} This was supposed to be site of a junction with the [[Garve and Ullapool Railway]] to the port village of [[Ullapool]] but, despite securing government approval, this line was never built.<ref>Garve and Ullapool Railway Act, 1890.  Parliamentary Papers, ref: Local Act, 53 & 54 Victoria I, c. ccxxxiii.  London. (1890)</ref>

Beyond Garve, the railway and the A832 continue westwards, away from the Black Water whose source lies to the north. Soon, the line meets Loch Luichart – the source of the River Conon itself – and follows its northern edge; [[Lochluichart railway station|Lochluichart station]]{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH322625}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|17|mi|20|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} is located at the northwestern tip of the [[loch]]. This station was moved to this location from its original site in 1954 as a result of a hydroelectric scheme, which raised the water level of the loch.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=A Station To Be Moved |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19490506/023/0002 |newspaper=Dundee Courier |location=Scotland |date=6 May 1949 |access-date=15 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=June 1954 |page=432 |editor-first=B.W.C. |editor-last=Cooke |publisher=Tothill Press |location=Westminster |number=638 |volume=100 |title=Re-Siting of Lochluichart Station }}</ref> From here, the line continues to follow several of the Conon's tributaries, passing by Loch a' Chuilinn and Loch Achanalt until it reaches [[Achanalt railway station|Achanalt station]]{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH260615}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|21|mi|34|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} near the mouth of the River Bran. The track then follows the course of this river for about {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} until the village of [[Achnasheen]], near the eastern end of Loch a' Chroisg. [[Achnasheen railway station|The station at Achnasheen]]{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH164586}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|27|mi|72|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}}, like Garve, was to be the site of a junction: the proposed [[Loch Maree and Aultbea Railway]] was to run between Achnasheen and the small fishing village of [[Aultbea]], but the line never received government approval.<ref>House of Commons Papers, Paper 75, Volume 72, page 87: Return of Private Bills and Provisional Orders relating to Scotland, 1888-97  (p.7).  Printed 21 February 1898.</ref>

Down the line from Achnasheen the line turns southwest, parting ways with the A832 which continues westwards; the railway now parallels the [[A890 road]] instead.

===Achnasheen–Kyle of Lochalsh: Wester Ross===
[[File:Achnashellach Station Nov2019.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Achnashellach railway station]]]]
[[File:The avalanche shelters on Lochcarron to Kyle of Lochalsh road - geograph.org.uk - 216769.jpg|thumb|The avalanche shelter southwest of Attadale]]
[[File:Platform at Stromeferry station - geograph.org.uk - 2571610.jpg|thumb|left|[[Stromeferry railway station]]]]
[[File:Plockton Station (geograph 4949712).jpg|thumb|left|[[Plockton railway station]]]]
[[File:Kyle of Lochalsh.jpg|thumb|left|The terminus at [[Kyle of Lochalsh railway station|Kyle of Lochalsh station]], with the Isle of Skye in the background]]
A few miles southwest of Achnasheen the track reaches its highest point above sea level, as it leaves the [[drainage basin]] of the [[River Conon]] (which flows to the Cromarty Firth on the east coast) and enters the basin of the [[River Carron, Wester Ross|River Carron]] (whose estuary is on the west coast). The line meets the River Carron itself at [[Loch Scaven]] near its source, and then follows the course of the river downstream.

Close to the point where the Carron is joined by the Alltan na Feola stream lies the site of the former [[Glencarron Platform railway station|Glencarron station]];{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH063508}}}} this small halt closed in 1964, although some drivers continued to stop at the station unofficially, refusing to acknowledge the station's closure, until as late as the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book| last=Thomas| first=J.| others=revised by Farrington, J.| title=The Skye Railway| publisher=David St John Thomas Publisher| year=1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last=McConnel| first=D.| title=Rails to Kyle of Lochalsh| publisher=The Oakwood Press| year=1997}}</ref> The next open station on the line is {{rws|Achnashellach}},{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NH003485}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|40|mi|34|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} some {{convert|12|mi|42|ch|km}} down the line from Achnasheen; this is the longest distance between two existing consecutive stations on the line.<ref name="route" /> The line then skirts the northwestern edge of [[Loch Dùghaill]] and continues to follow the River Carron until reaching [[Strathcarron railway station|Strathcarron station]],{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG942421}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|45|mi|74|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} where the river ends as it flows into [[Loch Carron]], a sea inlet. From here, the railway runs along the southern coastline of Loch Carron, and continues to hug the coast all the way until the terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh (except briefly near [[Plockton]]).

A short distance from Strathcarron the line reaches another station, {{rws|Attadale}},{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG924391}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|48|mi|22|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} located near the mouth of the river of the same name. Just southwest of the station, the line passes through an avalanche shelter – an unusual tunnel-like structure, approximately {{cvt|250|m|yd|disp=flip}}, which also carries the A890 and is partially open on the loch-side; it was built in 1978{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} to prevent rocks from falling onto the road and track. The line then continues for nearly {{convert|5|mi|km|0|spell=in|adj=pre|more}} until it reaches [[Stromeferry railway station|Stromeferry station]],{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG865346}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|53|mi|15|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} adjacent to a former ferry port which linked the area with North Strome on the opposite side of the loch. Occasionally the ferry link reopens on a temporary basis, when the A890 is closed due to landslips.<ref>{{cite web|title=Strome ferry boat|url=http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=73263|publisher=Am Baile highland history and culture|accessdate=13 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ferries set for introduction at Strome on Monday|url=http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2012/January/2012-01-11-05.htm|publisher= Highland Council|access-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125092204/http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2012/January/2012-01-11-05.htm|archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref> At Stromeferry the A890 turns south; from here, the railway does not parallel any major roads, instead simply following the coast.

The next station on the line is {{rws|Duncraig}},{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG811331}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|57|mi|09|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} which was built as a private, single-platform halt to serve [[Duncraig Castle]]; it was not made available for the public until 1949, more than 50 years after opening.{{sfn|Butt|1995|p=85}} Similarly to Glencarron, the station closed in 1965 but continued to be served unofficially, as drivers refused to acknowledge the station's closure;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/stop-the-train-i-want-to-get-off-the-magic-of-britains-railway-request-stations-9246846.html|title=Stop the train, I want to get off: The magic of Britain's railway request stations|first=Dixe|last=Wills|date=8 April 2014|access-date=27 July 2015|newspaper=The Independent|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905213124/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/stop-the-train-i-want-to-get-off-the-magic-of-britains-railway-request-stations-9246846.html|url-status=live}}</ref> however, unlike Glencarron, Duncraig eventually reopened officially, in 1976.{{sfn|Butt|1995|p=85}} From here it is just over {{convert|1|mi|km}} until the next station at {{rws|Plockton}};{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG794329}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|58|mi|22|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} this is the shortest distance between any two stations on the line.<ref name="route" /> Plockton station is actually located about {{convert|0.6|mi|km|1}} south of the main part of [[Plockton|the village itself]], although it lies adjacent to both the Plockton High School and the Plockton Airstrip.

The penultimate station en route is {{rws|Duirinish}},{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG777315}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|59|mi|58|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} which is also a short distance away from Plockton; the station primarily serves the villages of [[Duirinish, Lochalsh|Duirinish]] and [[Drumbuie]]. From here, the line runs in a generally southerly direction, although the exact heading varies significantly as the track closely follows the jagged coast. The railway leaves the coast of Loch Carron just before entering the village of [[Kyle of Lochalsh]]; it terminates at [[Kyle of Lochalsh railway station|Kyle of Lochalsh station]],{{efn-ua|[[Ordnance Survey]] [[British national grid reference system|grid reference]]: {{gbmappingsmall|NG762271}}<br />Mileage from Dingwall: {{cvt|63|mi|64|ch|km}}<ref name="route" />}} built on a pier right on the edge of [[Loch Alsh]], just {{convert|750|m|ft}} away from the [[Isle of Skye]] which can be seen across the loch.

==Infrastructure==
[[File:158701 158704 Garve.jpg|thumb|Two {{brc|158}}s passing each other at [[Garve railway station|Garve station]], one of the [[passing loop]]s on the line.]]
The full line between {{rws|Dingwall}} and {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}} is {{convert|63|mi|64|ch|km}}.<ref name="route" /> It is almost entirely single-track, except for four double-track [[passing loop]]s at Dingwall, {{rws|Garve}}, {{rws|Achnasheen}} and {{rws|Strathcarron}}, and the two platforms and two sidings at Kyle of Lochalsh.<ref name="route" /> The entire line is [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|unelectrified]].<ref name="route" />

The whole line, together with the [[Far North Line]], is signalled using the [[Radio Electronic Token Block]] system, which is very cost-effective in both implementation and maintenance, but significantly limits the capacity of the lines.<ref>''The Register of Scottish Signal Boxes'', F Alexander & E S Nicoll (1990).</ref>

Along the route there are 29 bridges, 31 [[Cut (earthmoving)|cuttings]], and a single tunnel.

== History ==
The route was built in two parts: the [[Dingwall and Skye Railway]], between {{rws|Dingwall}} and {{rws|Stromeferry}}, opened on 19 August 1870,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Railway in the North |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18700820/008/0002 |newspaper=Morning Post |location=British Newspaper Archive |date=20 August 1870 |access-date=15 August 2016 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> while the [[Dingwall and Skye Railway|Kyle of Lochalsh Extension (Highland Railway)]] took the line beyond Stromeferry to {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}} on 2 November 1897.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Railways in the Western Highlands. Opening of New Kyle Extension |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18971103/014/0007 |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |location=British Newspaper Archive |date=3 November 1897 |access-date=15 August 2016 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Dingwall station itself had been open since 1862, as an intermediate station on the [[Inverness and Ross-shire Railway]] (part of the modern-day [[Far North Line]]).

The [[Dingwall and Skye Railway#Strathpeffer Branch|Strathpeffer Branch]] operated between 1885 and 1951.<ref name = vallance>H A Vallance, C R Clinker, Anthony J Lambert, ''The Highland Railway'', David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1985, {{ISBN|0 946537 24 0}}</ref>

In 1933, the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]] introduced two named trains on the line, [[Hebridean (train)|''The Hebridean'']] and [[Lewisman (train)|''The Lewisman'']].<ref>{{cite book |last=Allen |first=Cecil J. |date=1967 |title=Titled Trains of Great Britain |publisher=Ian Allan Ltd. |page=95 }}</ref>

In July 1939 a [[landslide]] between Attadale and Stomeferry derailed an engine and six freight vans. The landslide was caused by recent heavy rains.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Scots relive nightmare of holiday train disaster |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19621227/005/0001 |newspaper=Aberdeen Evening Express |location=Scotland |date=27 December 1962 |access-date=15 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1949 it was planned to relocate [[Lochluichart railway station|Lochluichart station]] to allow the flooding of the area by the Glascarnoch-Luichart-Torr Achilty [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] scheme.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=A Station To Be Moved |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19490506/023/0002 |newspaper=Dundee Courier |location=Scotland |date=6 May 1949 |access-date=15 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> On 3 May 1954 a new station was opened as '''Lochluichart'''.<ref>{{Butt-Stations}}</ref> The deviation required about {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=off|spell=on|0}} on stone-pitched embankments and in rock cuttings, a {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=on}} bridge over the River Conon and a {{convert|36|ft|m|adj=on}} bridge.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=June 1954 |page=432 |editor-first=B.W.C. |editor-last=Cooke |publisher=Tothill Press |location=Westminster |number=638 |volume=100 |title=Re-Siting of Lochluichart Station }}</ref>

In the 1960s the line was listed to be closed under the [[Beeching Report|''Reshaping of British Railways'' report]]; however it was reprieved and services continued.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Rail Cuts Reprieve |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19631218/001/0001 |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |location=Scotland |date=18 December 1963 |access-date=22 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1970, [[British Rail]] wanted to close the line when Ross and Cromarty council voted to create a new £460,000 ({{Inflation|UK|460000|1970|r=-5|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}){{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} ferry terminal at Ullapool ({{cvt|43|nmi|km|disp=or}} from Stornoway) replacing that at [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] ({{cvt|71|nmi|km|disp=or}} from Stornoway).<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ross and Cromarty council vote. Ullapool is Ferry Terminal |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19701022/361/0018 |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |location=Scotland |date=22 October 1970 |access-date=25 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> In December 1971 it was reported that the costs of operating the line were £318,000 per annum ({{Inflation|UK|318000|1971|r=-4|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} with revenue of £51,000 per annum ({{Inflation|UK|51000|1971|r=-4|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} and the Secretary of State for Transport agreed that the line should close,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=British Railways Board. Public Notice. Transport Acts 1962-68. Passenger Services |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19711223/219/0013 |newspaper=Aberdeen Press and Journal |location=Scotland |date=23 December 1971 |access-date=25 November 2017 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}</ref> but a spirited local campaign again succeeded in reversing this decision and keeping it open.

In February 1989 the bridge over the [[River Ness]] in Inverness was washed away, leaving both the Kyle line and the Far North Line stranded, but new [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156 "Sprinter"]] trains were brought over by road, and a temporary yard was built to service them at {{rws|Muir of Ord}}. The line reopened in May 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Friends of the Far North Line - Newsletter - January 2015|url = http://www.fofnl.org.uk/newsletters/15Jan/15jan29.html|website = www.fofnl.org.uk|access-date = 2015-10-25}}</ref>

==Services==
[[File:Achnasheen station.JPG|thumb|left|A {{brc|158}} at [[Achnasheen railway station|Achnasheen station]]]]
[[File:Request stop, Attadale Station (geograph 5401104).jpg|thumb|[[Attadale railway station|Attadale station]] is a request stop.]]
As of April 2022, the Monday−Saturday service pattern on the line consists of four trains per day running eastbound from {{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}} to {{rws|Inverness}} (via {{rws|Dingwall}} and the [[Far North Line]]), and four trains per day westbound from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. On Sundays there is just one train per day each way, increasing to two per day during the summer months.<ref name="TT">[https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables ScotRail Train Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401011924/https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables |date=1 April 2022 }} – ScotRail</ref> [[ScotRail]] operates all services on the line<ref name="TT" /> with its [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158/7 "Express Sprinter"]] [[diesel multiple unit]]s.

All services call at every intermediate station en route,<ref name="TT" /> although {{rws|Lochluichart}}, {{rws|Achanalt}}, {{rws|Achnashellach}}, {{rws|Attadale}}, {{rws|Duncraig}} and {{rws|Duirinish}} stations are [[request stop]]s: passengers wishing to board the train at these stations must flag the train by raising their arm, while those wishing to alight must inform the Conductor to arrange for the train to stop. If there are no passengers wishing to get on or off the train at a request stop, it will pass through without stopping.<ref name="TT" />

Services between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh typically have a journey time of about 2 hours 40 minutes end-to-end.<ref name="TT" />

{{clear}}

==Passenger volumes==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+Passenger volumes on the Kyle of Lochalsh line<ref name="ORR">{{Cite web |title=Estimates of station usage {{!}} ORR Data Portal |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=dataportal.orr.gov.uk |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130052455/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage |url-status=live }}</ref>
! Entries and exits !! 2002-03 !! 2004-05 !! 2005-06 !! 2006-07 !! 2007-08 !! 2008-09 !! 2009-10 !! 2010-11 !! 2011-12 !! 2012-13 !! 2013-14 !! 2014-15 !! 2015-16 !! 2016-17 !! 2017-18 !! 2018-19 !! 2019-20 !! 2020-21 !! 2021-22 !! 2022-23
|-
!{{Hs|a}}({{rws|Inverness}})
|721,358
|822,928
|873,011
|915,840
|975,570
|1,043,712
|1,070,924
|1,127,718
|1,180,160
|1,213,382
|1,282,445
|1,303,662
|1,306,556
|1,259,496
|1,238,770
|1,243,338
|1,214,648
|231,894
|753,228
|974,808
|-
!{{Hs|b}}({{rws|Beauly}})
|21,337
|26,616
|28,384
|35,860
|41,878
|52,422
|51,094
|49,858
|54,536
|55,236
|57,946
|57,446
|59,406
|52,870
|51,522
|48,270
|46,510
|14,918
|30,178
|36,588
|-
!{{Hs|c}}({{rws|Muir of Ord}})
|22,055
|24,365
|24,783
|32,573
|39,200
|51,104
|57,396
|62,428
|74,462
|74,064
|72,832
|66,576
|66,480
|64,480
|64,820
|67,554
|70,850
|13,556
|41,230
|47,688
|-
!{{Hs|d}}({{rws|Conon Bridge}}){{efn|Did not open until February 2013.}}
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|3,788
|18,114
|15,510
|15,276
|15,494
|15,100
|17,530
|18,022
|2,598
|9,212
|10,898
|-
!{{Hs|e}}{{rws|Dingwall}}
|31,849
|34,898
|43,508
|55,034
|64,404
|72,086
|80,324
|84,920
|101,730
|104,746
|101,996
|87,782
|82,508
|80,900
|86,276
|81,408
|80,154
|9,864
|46,524
|55,536
|-
!{{Hs|f}}{{rws|Garve}}
|7,128
|7,092
|9,471
|9,690
|9,847
|8,546
|6,898
|5,814
|5,038
|5,384
|5,028
|5,076
|4,676
|3,668
|4,302
|3,212
|3,480
|426
|2,560
|3,290
|-
!{{Hs|g}}''{{rws|Lochluichart}}''
|302
|171
|306
|267
|440
|218
|392
|324
|442
|400
|612
|482
|608
|532
|632
|180
|198
|24
|130
|182
|-
!{{Hs|h}}''{{rws|Achanalt}}''
|186
|192
|198
|173
|208
|230
|202
|200
|162
|164
|228
|482
|312
|424
|434
|394
|326
|26
|342
|282
|-
!{{Hs|i}}{{rws|Achnasheen}}
|2,147
|2,379
|2,471
|2,697
|2,974
|3,202
|3,614
|3,698
|3,998
|3,566
|3,972
|3,722
|3,700
|3,076
|3,310
|3,284
|3,234
|620
|2,420
|3,302
|-
!{{Hs|j}}''{{rws|Achnashellach}}''
|664
|691
|593
|540
|655
|646
|778
|738
|1,084
|1,054
|976
|800
|1,078
|878
|870
|820
|836
|130
|650
|752
|-
!{{Hs|k}}{{rws|Strathcarron}}
|7,842
|8,658
|9,289
|7,856
|8,585
|8,310
|8,234
|8,122
|11,010
|9,304
|8,950
|8,262
|8,162
|7,678
|7,742
|6,970
|7,224
|1,192
|5,370
|5,524
|-
!{{Hs|l}}''{{rws|Attadale}}''
|216
|325
|398
|439
|469
|472
|478
|526
|968
|658
|998
|784
|820
|938
|1,170
|1,322
|1,228
|62
|764
|1,042
|-
!{{Hs|m}}{{rws|Stromeferry}}
|1,166
|1,035
|1,163
|1,146
|1,012
|1,000
|1,064
|1,438
|2,218
|2,074
|1,874
|1,634
|1,560
|1,254
|1,378
|1,274
|1,508
|136
|918
|1,144
|-
!{{Hs|n}}''{{rws|Duncraig}}''
|288
|463
|391
|342
|485
|388
|394
|602
|722
|784
|534
|448
|494
|348
|408
|484
|500
|30
|376
|462
|-
!{{Hs|o}}{{rws|Plockton}}
|7,960
|8,934
|7,992
|8,295
|8,605
|9,230
|10,716
|11,186
|13,038
|12,886
|13,876
|12,826
|11,574
|9,998
|10,592
|11,482
|11,616
|1,784
|9,476
|8,530
|-
!{{Hs|p}}''{{rws|Duirinish}}''
|519
|601
|608
|841
|801
|742
|620
|808
|702
|804
|970
|1,048
|1,064
|930
|918
|856
|878
|156
|554
|614
|-
!{{Hs|q}}{{rws|Kyle of Lochalsh}}
|41,243
|44,263
|44,770
|46,749
|48,290
|52,672
|60,164
|60,528
|66,272
|66,828
|67,278
|64,256
|65,706
|62,704
|65,182
|60,606
|57,786
|7,858
|40,702
|46,634
|}
*Stations between Inverness and Dingwall are also included for reference, as all trains on the line also call there
*Stations in ''italics'' are request stops
*The statistics cover twelve-month periods that start in April

==Future==
In the [[Scottish Government]]'s National Transport Strategy, published in February 2020, it was stated that the line would not be electrified with [[Overhead line|overhead lines]], but rather, an alternative to diesel traction will be used for the route.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Shirres|first=David|title=Decarbonising Scotland's Railway|url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/rail-engineer-may-june-2021-hs2s-largest-bridge-decarbonising-scotland-and-piccadilly-line-trains/|url-status=live|magazine=Rail Engineer|location=|publisher=|issue=190|pages=46–53|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309023730/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/rail-engineer-may-june-2021-hs2s-largest-bridge-decarbonising-scotland-and-piccadilly-line-trains/|archive-date=9 March 2022|access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref>

==Kyle of Lochalsh line in film and books==
[[File:Train^ - geograph.org.uk - 1088087.jpg|thumb|The line near [[Duirinish railway station|Duirinish station]]; the Isle of Skye can be seen in the background with a covering of snow.]]
The Kyle of Lochalsh line was featured in [[Eddie McConnell|Eddie McConnell's]] lyrical documentary ''The Line to Skye'' (1973) with commentary by Scottish writer [[William McIlvanney]], commissioned as part of Ross & Cromarty's campaign to keep the line open at a time when it was threatened with closure.  The film follows the train  from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, describing the communities, landscape and wildlife along its route, while contrasting the frustration of motorists with the relaxation of the journey by rail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssa.nls.uk/film/2260|title=Scottish Screen Archive - Full record for 'LINE TO SKYE, the'|access-date=2009-02-07|archive-date=4 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104133108/http://ssa.nls.uk/film/2260|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Stephen Durrell's 1939 documentary ''West of Inverness'', the importance of the Kyle of Lochalsh line to the crofters of the West Highlands is demonstrated through its role of transporting passengers, mail, parcels, food and livestock to and from their communities.  The film shows the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS]] [[steam locomotive]]s that operated the line at this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssa.nls.uk/film/0155|title=Scottish Screen Archive - Full record for 'WEST OF INVERNESS'|access-date=2009-02-07|archive-date=4 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104133226/http://ssa.nls.uk/film/0155|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the episode of ''[[Great Railway Journeys|Great Railway Journeys of the World]]'' "Confessions of a Trainspotter" (1980), [[Michael Palin]] travels from [[London]] to the Kyle of Lochalsh and returns with the railway station's sign.

Video 125 Ltd. produced a driver's eye view documentary of the line in 1987, when the service was still operated using loco-hauled trains, in this case motive power being provided by Class 37 no. 37262 named ''Dounreay'' after the nuclear power station. Narration was by Paul Coia.

[[Nicholas Whittaker]] travelled the line both ways during the summer of 1973, an experience he wrote about in his 1995 book ''Platform Souls''.<ref>''Platform Souls''. Nicholas Whittaker, Gollancz, 1995</ref>

As with the other railway lines of the western Highlands (the [[West Highland Railway]] and the [[Callander and Oban Railway]]), John Thomas wrote a comprehensive and highly readable{{says who?|date=November 2022}} history, ''The Skye Railway''.

The line makes brief cameo appearances in the television series [[Hamish Macbeth]].

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua|20em}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=The Skye Railway|first=John|last=Thomas|date=1977|publisher=David and Charles|isbn=0-7153-7383-8}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Pearls beyond price|first=Peter|last=Kelly|pages=23–33|date=September 1983|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}
*{{cite magazine|title=The Skye survivor|first=Pip|last=Dunn|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|issue=316|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=22 October – 4 November 1997|pages=40–41|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Vallance |first=H.A. |title=The Northern Highland Lines Today: Part One – Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh |magazine=Railway Magazine |date=November 1966 |pages=612–616 |volume=112 |issue=787 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Dingwall_and_Skye_Railway/frame.htm RailScot - Dingwall and Skye Railway]
*[http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Kyle_of_Lochalsh_Extension_Railway/frame.htm RailScot - Kyle of Lochalsh Extension Railway]
*[http://www.railbrit.co.uk/Strathpeffer_Branch/frame.htm RailScot - Strathpeffer Branch]
*[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?relation=1309210 Route] on [[OpenStreetMap]] (Dingwall–Kyle of Lochalsh)
*[http://timetableworld.com/book_viewer.php?id=4 Timetable World - Historical timetables for this line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226232742/http://timetableworld.com/book_viewer.php?id=4 |date=26 February 2012 }}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wDF6-iXJ0g Kyle of Lochalsh Station in 2018]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLN4fKc5v7k Views of the stations in 1970]
{{Railway lines in Scotland}}

[[Category:Transport in Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Scotland]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in Scotland]]