Watch as the Cairngorm funicular makes its return to track after nearly 18 months
The Cairngorm funicular is back on track for the first time since August 2023 after being removed from service on safety grounds.
Snowsports fans were delighted to see the mountain railway emerge from the Base Station yesterday morning as testing started for its return. Trials continued late into the night.
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Remediation works on the Cairngorm funicular railway are continuing with the aim of returning the train into service ‘as soon as possible’.
A spokesman for the resort owners Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: “A new strand of work is underway to prepare the Cairngorm funicular railway to return to service this winter.
“Staff at Cairngorm Mountain have today begun a series of maintenance activities on the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems that govern the movement of the two funicular carriages up and down the 1.8km viaduct.
“Later this week, an engineer from Swiss funicular specialist Garaventa, who supplied and maintain the carriages and control system, will join the local team to carry out scheduled annual inspections of the mechanical systems.
“The trains are expected to complete frequent trial runs on the mountainside over the next week or so.
“Meanwhile, remediation works are continuing on the viaduct structure, led by Balfour Beatty on behalf of HIE.
“Although the remediation programme was substantially completed before Christmas, inspections identified a range of items requiring further work and teams from Balfour Beatty returned to the site early in January.
“HIE continues to aim for the funicular to be safely back in service as soon as possible within the current winter season and will provide a firm date for relaunch once this can be confirmed.”
Crews working for Balfour Beatty have been carrying out an extensive programme to strengthen the 1.8 kilometres viaduct focusing on the tension of joints, beams and diaphragms.
So far the overall estimated repair work for the funicular is more than £25 million.
Once the funicular specialist Swiss-based Garaventa has completed its work, the railway will be handed over to resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd for staff training and final preparations before passengers are again welcomed on board.
While these actions are under way, HIE, which has overall responsibility for the funicular reinstatement programme, will continue to liaise with the Health and Safety Executive.
Jerry Craig, who runs the Aviemore-based ski school Free-Ski said: “I was up the hill and there was definite buzz around the staff.
“It is also very timely with the start of the half term holiday period just round the corner.
“We have been hit three times this season with huge temperature changes which has destroyed any base of snow that had built up.
“Movement of the train to get clients to the top would be very welcome.
“I am just hoping that all the safety checks and ops testing that still needs to be done go without a hitch.”
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said: “I am pleased that the Cairngorm funicular has begun testing and I hope to see it return as soon as possible.
“The railway provides an important service for snowsports fans and outdoor enthusiasts, and I am reassured to hear of the progress that is finally being made to reinstate the funicular.”
Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing said: “This is great news. I trust the tests can be swiftly completed paving the way for re opening
“My thanks to the team at the hill and the contractors workers. They do have the job of working in the most challenging construction site in the UK.”
