EXCLUSIVE: Cairngorm funicular expected to be running in time for new ski season
The funicular is expected to be up and running for the start of the new snowsports season at Cairngorm Mountain.
There has been no public announcement but owners Highlands and Islands have revealed the development on the public agency’s social media.
It is the first time that either HIE or operators Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd have confirmed a specific date for the return of the mountain railway which has been out of operation since August last year.
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Previous references to when the mountain railway will run again have just been general, indicating at some point in the winter season which usually runs to Easter.
HIE has just posted a new page of Q&As on the funicular on its webpage and it states
When do you expect the funicular to return?
We're currently aiming for the funicular to be back in service at the start of the upcoming winter season at Cairngorm Mountain, which begins on Friday 20 December 2024.
It will be a huge boost for both Cairngorm Mountain and HIE to have the mountain railway running again.
The train is crucial for easy access to the upper slopes where the most reliable snow and more extensive novice areas are located.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain was reinstated in January 2023 having undergone an extensive programme of engineering works.
HIE say in the announcement that these began in November 2020 to strengthen the 1.7 kilometres viaduct structure.
However, the funicular had not run since September 2018 leading up to that.
It then came as a huge blow when it had to be taken out of service once again so soon.
The funicular has only been running for eight months when it was withdrawn initially for snagging works for what was expected to be at most a couple of weeks - but it has not run again since.
Elsewhere in the information, HIE states in response to what the repairs are costing:
The budget for the funicular reinstatement programme is £25m funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The cost of carrying out the remediation works is currently being borne by the contractor, Balfour Beatty. HIE is also incurring costs for associated services including project management and investigative works, as well as meeting costs arising in the operating company as a result of the funicular not operating.
The final out-turn will be determined following completion of the project.
Former CMSL chief exectuve Susan Smith said as she retired in late September that she expected the funicular to be running from the start or early winter season.
Ms Smith said at the time: “The latest I have from our parent company is that we should expect the funicular to be handed back in late October but there are a huge amount of things that have to happen after that - not least the Health and Safety Executive being satisfied.
“Our team then has to go through a period of four to five weeks of operational readiness and re-training of the staff who work the train.
“I have not heard anything that would give me a cause for concern (on timeframe) but this is Cairngorm Mountain and every day we have to reassess but at the moment I think we can all be quietly confident that we are on track.”
However, there have been no reports of the funicular running on the track meaning that the company would need to work to a very tight timetable to be up and running by December 20 unless there has been some testing carried out.
A spokesman for HIE said: “The programme of remediation works led by Balfour Beatty is ongoing, despite the harsh conditions on the mountain this week.
“Clearly, every day counts at the moment, but we currently expect these works to be concluded and the necessary trials, training and safety checks carried out successfully over the coming weeks.
“As long as all goes to plan, that will enable the funicular to return to service at the start of the Cairngorm winter season on Friday 20 December.”
