West Highland Line looks to broaden appeal
The West Highland Line, cherished as one of the world’s great railways, is broadening its appeal through the work of the West Highland Community Rail Partnership (WHCRP) which wants to hear from passengers how it can improve services, writes Neill Bo Finlayson.
From Loch Lomond to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the line has been carrying visitors and locals through the amazing landscape for decades and the WHCRP is hoping to appeal to the next generation of passengers with community projects and a renewed presence on social media in 2019.
A spokesperson for WHCRP said: ‘The WHCRP has a number of exciting plans for 2019 and beyond, and we are here to represent all passengers – we are especially keen to hear from local residents about successes on the line or where you think improvements can be made.’
The volunteer-led organisation – which represents passengers between Crianlarich and Mallaig and works in partnership with the rail companies to support services on the line – has revamped visitor signage and information along the line and launched a new website as well as social media feeds. The partnership has also hosted a play, Brief Encounters on the West Highland Line – a play in homage to the classic 1945 film Brief Encounter directed by David Lean.
Held in lineside restaurants and tearooms, the play garnered rave reviews and received third place in a tough field of competition in the Best Community Engagement Project award at the prestigious national Association of Community Rail Partnerships awards held in Glasgow recently.
For more information visit the WHCRP website westhighlandcrp.com or email westhighlandcrp@gmail. com.
WHCRP’s social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter are regularly updated with snippets of rail news, lineside pictures, comments and news.