The Polar Express!
Travellers feel the chill on famous West Highland line
WITH its picture-postcard views, it is renowned as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys.
But passengers on the West Highland Line say that trains on the iconic route are often so cold that they have nicknamed it the Polar Express.
Some travellers say they take hot water bottles with them to keep warm on the journey between Glasgow and Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.
John Gallacher, from Oban, Argyll, who has had many a chilly journey on the line, said: ‘One time I went on it and it was so cold that when I got off at Glasgow Queen Street, I couldn’t even speak to the people I had gone to see. My teeth were chattering, I was hypothermic – it was severe.
‘Another time, it was snowing and there was no heating. It’s bad, you do really need a blanket and a hot water bottle.’
Lynne Murdoch, from Taynuilt, Argyll, who was waiting to board the train at Oban on Saturday, said: ‘We travel quite a lot to Glasgow and on some occasions it has been freezing.’
The recent cold spell has prompted a flood of complaints.
Pat Tyrrell, from Oban, said on Facebook that she felt ‘almost hypothermic’ on both legs of a daytrip to Glasgow on Wednesday, adding: ‘I shivered my way south. Never warmed up all day and then suffered same fate on route north. I will write to ScotRail to complain. At the very least they could offer blankets.’
Another Facebook user, Mogie Gallagher, said: ‘Last time I travelled on the 5.20am I was warned by a member of staff that it takes ages for the heating to kick in and was advised to wrap up warm. I took a hot water bottle. Thank goodness I did it was bitter.’
Lorna Kyle said: ‘It’s been like this for years and years, hence the nickname the Polar Express.’
Meanwhile, Claire Wilding said the heating was not the only problem, adding: ‘Not only can the train be cold, but hit or miss if there is a trolley service and the toilets are disgusting – and that’s when they are working.’
A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said the rolling stock was being upgraded to include air conditioning for heating and cooling.
He added: ‘The Class 156 fleet which serves the West Highland Line is undergoing a refurbishment programme just now which will improve the on-train experience for customers.’