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Far North Line closed due to track defect, ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland warn Highland passengers





A ScotRail train on the Far North Line (stock image). Picture: James Mackenzie.
A ScotRail train on the Far North Line (stock image). Picture: James Mackenzie.

Rail journeys on the Far North Line were disrupted on Friday after a "track defect" forced the closure of the route.

The line closed shortly before 10am after reports of a fault on the track between Lairg and Ardgay.

ScotRail has warned passengers that journeys travelling between Inverness and Wick "will be delayed or revised" while a safety inspection takes place.

In an update shortly after 10.30am, Network Rail Scotland said: "We've closed the Far North Line between Ardgay and Lairg while our team checks over a possible track defect.

"We're working as quickly as we can and will keep you updated on our progress."

Disruption was initially expected to last until 11am, but this was later pushed back to 1pm and could run longer - especially given the possibility for knock-on domino disruption to later services as a result of rolling stock being out of location.

The track later reopened, with Network Rail Scotland confirming the news in a tweet at 12.15pm, although some trains were still running more than 30 minutes behind schedule at the time of writing.

For the latest updates visit www.scotrail.co.uk or www.journeycheck.com/scotrail.

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