West Highland Line | |||
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Overview | |||
Status | Operational | ||
Owner | Network Rail | ||
Locale | |||
Termini | |||
Stations | 33 | ||
Service | |||
Type | Rural Rail[1] | ||
System | National Rail | ||
Operator(s) | |||
Rolling stock | |||
Technical | |||
Line length |
| ||
Number of tracks | Single-track | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||
Operating speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) maximum[1] | ||
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The West Highland Line (Scottish Gaelic: Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean – "Iron Road to the Isles") is a railway line linking the ports of Mallaig and Oban in the Scottish Highlands to Glasgow in Central Scotland. The line was voted the top rail journey in the world by readers of independent travel magazine Wanderlust in 2009, ahead of the notable Trans-Siberian line in Russia and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru.[2][3][4] The ScotRail website has since reported that the line has been voted the most scenic railway line in the world for the second year running.[5]
The West Highland Line is one of two railway lines that access the remote and mountainous west coast of Scotland, the other being the Kyle of Lochalsh Line which connects Inverness with Kyle of Lochalsh. The line is the westernmost railway line in Great Britain.
At least in part, the West Highland Line is the same railway line as that referred to as the West Highland Railway.