Cairngorm Mountain Railway
Introduction
This is a funicular railway (ie cable operated) which climbs 1486 feet between its base, midway (Shieling) and summit (Ptarmigan) stations, under a mile and a half (6,460 feett). Most of the line is elevated from the ground on a reinforced concrete and steel structure. There is a single passing place at the mid point where the two carriages pass, just above the midway station. The final portion passes through a tunnel to reach the summit. The gauge is 6.5ft, unusually wide. Each carriage is 10.5 ft wide, carrying 120 skiers at around 23mph. The rolling stock was by Doppelmeyer. The base station is about 9.5 miles away by road east from Aviemore. The railway is currently closed (since September 2018), 'structural problems' having been found. As of March 2020 planning application has been submitted for the required repairs.
Why built
The line serves the Cairngorm Mountain ski resort, replacing a chairlift which was too exposed during strong wind. It connects the car parking, ticket office, shops and offices to higher ground.
Service
The carriages are designed to carry 120 people in the winter and 48 during the summer.
Dates
| /08/1999 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Plans scaled back. |
| 02/10/2001 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Doppelmeyer built rolling stock delivered to railway. |
| /12/2001 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Planned opening. |
| 07/06/2002 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Line opened. Construction cost £14.8m. |
| /06/2008 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Highland and Islands Enterprise takes over the running of the line from CairnGorm Mountain following several years of poor snow and financial problems. |
| /06/2018 | Cairngorm Mountain Railway Closed for heavy repairs to re-open in July. |
Locations along the line
These locations are along the line.
Bruce McCartney 05/10/2018
Peter Todd 17/09/2012
David Bosher 21/07/2017
David Bosher 24/02/2018
David Bosher 24/02/2018
John Furnevel 13/09/2004
