Cairngorm Funicular Set to be Back in Action Shortly
4th December 2024
The lift at the Scottish resort It could operating by the end of December or early in the new year. Some are reserving judgement after previous assurances and subsequent delays. UPDATED
The Contractor Balfour Beatty has said that, weather permitting, its current programme of works on the viaduct that supports the railway is due to finish within the next 10 days.
Mechanical safety inspections & testing, trial runs, plus staff training will then take place before passengers can use it.
The funicular will not be back in service for the start of Cairngorm Mountain’s 2024/25 winter season on Friday 20th December 2024.
However, it does appear that the long wait for the service to resume may soon be over.
The funicular was withdrawn from service in August 2023 when an inspection found that tension in some scarf joints, that link beams with 94 piers along the 1.8km length of the viaduct, was below the recommended level.
We have reported on the saga of the repairs over recent years:
- Latest update on Cairngorm funicular
- Cairngorm funicular works to continue into November
- Cairngorm funicular closedown continues
- Cairngorm funicular out of action
“Retensioning these joints and ensuring that tension is maintained has been a core element of the remediation programme,” said a statement from Highlands & Islands Enterprises.
“Tension in beams and diaphragms that are essential for load distribution has also been carefully examined and adjusted as required, and associated grouting has been carried out on the piers.”
The planned return to service will mark the end of a difficult few years for HIE and its subsidiary Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd, which operates the resort.
The funicular opened in December 2001 but was initially withdrawn in October 2018 after an inspection raised safety concerns.
Following a detailed options appraisal, HIE appointed COWI to design and Balfour Beatty to undertake an extensive programme of strengthening works, which got underway in November 2020.
The funicular returned in January 2023 but was withdrawn again seven months later when the scarf joint issue was identified.
It appears the long wait for skiers and snowboarder to use the funicular may be over.
Top of White Lady, Cairngorm. Image © Rod Frazer
Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted.
UPDATE:
There has been some reaction on the PlanetSKI Facebook page.
Mark Back Corries – Scotland most expensive train costing YOU the Scottish tax payers over 50 million pounds for just over a mile of track. Value for money? And for reopening no one trusts them with that. If they are reopening what about an opening date?
Bobby Steelman – Even when its open it doesn’t adequately support summit to car park skiing. But I suppose at least it will allow access to the summit runs without a hike!
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