Tree strike surprise for Inverness-bound commuters on ScotRail train
Train services on the Far North and Kyle lines were facing knock-on disruption today after a tree strike forced the temporary closure of the routes on Saturday morning.
Passengers aboard the first train of the day - the 6.13am Ardgay to Inverness service - reported a loud thunk as the vehicle neared the Conon Bridge viaduct in the dark on Saturday morning.
The train was able to continue its journey, was undamaged, and arrived in the Highland capital on time.
But when dawn came, the next train through reported a large overhanging tree branch had been dislodged further by the collision and was now blocking the line.
The route was closed for more than an hour while the overhanging branch was felled and removed.
However, one train on the line was delayed by an hour, and several others reported shorter knock-on delays - including the 8.55am Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh service which was 15 minutes behind schedule as it neared its destination a short time ago.
Two further services have now been cancelled - the 11.43am Inverness to Dingwall and 12.45pm Dingwall to Inverness journeys - due to “a late running train being in front” of them on the line, as operators try to reposition rolling stock to return services to normal.