David Spaven's book, 'Highland Survivor' has won the Railway and Canal Historical Society award for '2017 Railway Book of the Year'. David commented 'Im delighted that this award will bring additional focus to a much-neglected railway, which deserves the same kind of attention as the better-known classic Highland tourist lines to Kyle, Fort William, Mallaig and Oban. ScotRail and tourist bodies should be applying to the Far North Line the same kind of transformative marketing as the highly successful North Coast 500 road campaign. The railway penetrates territory where no road goes, and over its half a dozen distinct geographical sections it skirts estuaries, climbs between mountain ranges and runs along a dramatic, unspoilt coastline. This is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.'
(Permalink) David Spaven Far North Line Highland Survivor Kessock Books

The 'shambolic' performance of Scotland's most northerly railway could lead to its eventual closure, a book published today claims. Passenger numbers are falling on the route between Inverness, Wick and Thurso, which has been plagued by chronic unreliability and frequent cancellations. In Highland Survivor: the story of the Far North Line, rail consultant David Spaven argues for urgent action to reverse its fortunes. The 168-mile route was the biggest reprieve among those earmarked for closure by the Beeching report 50 years ago. However, unlike most Scottish lines which have enjoyed booming traffic, Britain's longest rural route is declining and many journeys are far quicker by road.
(Permalink) David Spaven Far North Line Highland Survivor