Item from Rail User Express newsletter... Friends of the West Highland Lines Britain’s only snow shed, Cruach on Rannoch Moor a mile from the station, has been dismantled. NR’s Community Relations Executive said it was dilapidated and no longer needed. “Today’s railway benefits from modern snow management systems that are far more effective than traditional shelters. They are in place across the network, helping to prevent snow accumulation and keep services running smoothly. Additionally, due to changes in climate, this area no longer experiences the extreme snowfall that once made the snow shed essential. A full-time Weather Desk has been set up in Scotland to protect the railway. Seasonal Resilience Teams will also support preparation and aid recovery, with equipment including snowploughs, a Winter Train for defrosting infrastructure, and a dedicated NR helicopter for aerial inspections. In October, some passengers on a Mallaig – Glasgow train ordered their food online from The Real Food Café in Tyndrum. When the train reached Upper Tyndrum, the bags of breakfast rolls, fried egg, sausages and bacon were waiting for them - a reminder of when, in North British Railway and LNER days, passengers could order a lunch basket at Glasgow to be handed to them in Crianlarich.
screenshot of Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum website
snow shed picture Friends of the West Highland Lines 15 December 2025 · The Cruach Snow Shed at Rannoch Moor It was once Britain only snow shed on a railway. When the West Highland Railway was built the railway in 1894, the Cruach Snow Shed wasn't planned. It was only after heavy snowfall that it became obvious that a snow shed was needed and built in 1896. The upper framework that held the corrugated iron roofing was made from original 1894 rail leftover from the construction of the WHL. It stretched 209 yards or 627 feet along a cutting through Rannoch Moor and located 1 mile from Rannoch Station. The rock from the cutting was used to construct the Rannoch Viaduct. Below is a Youtube video which shows a cab view journey through the snow shed https://youtu.be/TlYvDQMtdbY?si=hmMF-wzSvqkyCASt Photo by Sandy Smeaton #Rannoch #rannochmoor #RailwayHistory #scotland #railway #rail #heritagerailway #heritage
Picture of the rail track inside the snow shed
OK, relevance to 🚲 is low, but these 2 bits of 🚆 transport news were just too interesting..
#Tyndrum #SnowShed #RealFoodCafe
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