No trains to call at Altnabreac for the foreseeable future

[Killingworth]

Quite, but there can't be too many other folk in the area for Northern Constabulary's finest to track down and have a word with.

Altnabreac is not exactly Clapham Junction, is it?

I suspect there's absolutely no doubt locally and with Network Rail who the person is and both he and they are very aware of the legal position. There are very few landowners thereabouts.

 

[The Puddock]

Quite, but there can't be too many other folk in the area for Northern Constabulary's finest to track down and have a word with.

The Northern Constabulary was absorbed into Scotland’s national police service, Police Scotland, a decade ago in April 2023. Both Police Scotland and British Transport Police are well aware of the ongoing situation at Altnabreac.

 

[D6130]

Is it possible to mention the name of the landowner at this stage of the proceedings....or could that render the Forum liable to legal action?

 

[hexagon789]

Is it possible to mention the name of the landowner at this stage of the proceedings....or could that render the Forum liable to legal action?

His name can be easily found on Google, including in print on the sites of a number of newspapers etc; I therefore doubt there is any issue with posting it?

 

[D6130]

His name can be easily found on Google, including in print on the sites of a number of newspapers etc; I therefore doubt there is any issue with posting it?

Just for clarification, are we talking about the owner/resident of the station house or Lochdhu Lodge?

 

[Gloster]

Just for clarification, are we talking about the owner/resident of the station house or Lochdhu Lodge?

There does seem to be a bit of doubt about this point in most of the reports I have seen, so best be careful. There has even been a suggestion that there are two disputes: one about land ownership and access, and one over the state of the road and whether Network Rail is responsible. However, these may be just one complicated dispute, or a simple one that is seen in many different ways by different parties.

 

[Future]

Reading in this person, he certainly seems quite a character. He’s been living in Lochdu Lodge (which is effectively a castle) for at least 35 years. I am concerned this may result in a semi-permanent closure of the station until this bloke pops his clogs as he doesn’t seem very intent on going anywhere or having any interaction with the outside world.

 

[SteelWeelApeal]

Any links where I can read more about “this man”?

 

[Future]

Any links where I can read more about “this man”?

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8076730.kevin-lives-the-highlands-life/ there is an article here from ‘98 but as of late he seems to have remained rather isolated, living the millionaire lifestyle alone in his castle.

 

[norbitonflyer]

There's probably more to this report than simple access to the isolatrd station. The access track passes Lochdu Lodge. Resident there was a character with an interesting record. Not something related to the railway directly but isolation is what he may have craved.

This is Scotland, where there is a "right to roam", regardless of the ownership of the land.

 

[renegademaster]

This is Scotland, where there is a "right to roam", regardless of the ownership of the land.

Not with a motor vehicle and anything that could be considered "residential"

 

[Gloster]

This is Scotland, where there is a "right to roam", regardless of the ownership of the land.

There is a restriction on walking over land which is ‘adjacent’ to a dwelling. How ‘adjacent’ is defined depends on the circumstances of the case and it might be necessary to take the matter to court to decide. There is also the question of whether the passage of Network Rail’s vehicles would be covered.

 

[Speed43125]

There is a restriction on walking over land which is ‘adjacent’ to a dwelling. How ‘adjacent’ is defined depends on the circumstances of the case and it might be necessary to take the matter to court to decide. There is also the question of whether the passage of Network Rail’s vehicles would be covered.

Indeed, one of the articles seems to show an artic in the image! Something like that travelling up and down a remote track may well do undue damage compared to the other traffic seen up there.

 

[Purple Train]

I presume this is the "eccentric" gentleman (under the pseudonym of Brian) who was interviewed in the Tiny Stations book about five years back?

 

[Darandio]

Semi-related. But looking at this lodge on Google Maps and dragging the little street view guy over it brings up loads of blue circles like you get in many places like railway stations and you can explore them. But when you get 'inside' the house it's a completely different place in a different location. It isn't just me seeing it surely?

 

[Future]

I presume this is the "eccentric" gentleman (under the pseudonym of Brian) who was interviewed in the Tiny Stations book about five years back?

No, I believe this is the owner of Lochdu Lodge who is called Kevin

 

[Purple Train]

No, I believe this is the owner of Lochdu Lodge who is called Kevin

The gentleman I was referring to was the owner of Lochdhu at the time...

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I presume this is the "eccentric" gentleman (under the pseudonym of Brian) who was interviewed in the Tiny Stations book about five years back?

I was never quite sure whether that particular chapter was 100% genuine, 100% fiction or had some basis in fact but with some (or lots) of artistic licence. I did like the book though.

 

[Killingworth]

There are several strands that may be spun from this thread about one of the nation's quietest little stations and hints have been dropped (and picked up by some) on where to find them.

Readers and contributors here don't know the full story, yet. Attempts to openly speculate on how the dots might be joined up may not help resolution of any dispute.

This previously almost unknown location being in the spotlight has led me to the proposals in December 2021 to load timber at Altnabreac, an action that must have alarmed the few local residents used to a quiet life, see; https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.u...es-plan-to-take-9000-tonnes-of-timber-261124/

Did it happen? Is this potential project at the root of it?

Highland Council approves plan to take 9000 tonnes of timber off Caithness roads and on to rail network

A PLAN to take 9000 tonnes of timber off Caithness roads and on to the rail network has been approved by Highland Council.

It granted planning permission to Caledonia Forest Land Investment Ltd to construct a rail-side timber loading facility on land near Altnabreac station. The company, which has a number of plantations in the north, is working on the venture with HiTrans and Scottish Woodlands.

The facility will be initially operated on a trial basis but, if successful, could be extended and be a model for similar ventures across Scotland, it was stated.

The timber loading facility could take 400 lorries off north roads. Our pic shows timber about to leave Georgemas Junction by rail.
A report which was before councillors said the loading bay will facilitate the haulage of timber by rail from Caithness to Inverness, taking an estimated 400 lorries off the roads. 25 rail trips instead.




"Altnabreac offers one of the best sites in Scotland for rail-side loading and the concept meets the Scottish Government's strategies for moving haulage from road to rail. This follows the successful trial in 2020 funded by Transport Scotland to run a regular timber service from Georgemas Station to Inverness. If this demonstration proves successful it is proposed to extend the facility which will then be subject to a further planning application as appropriate."

The report stated: "Specialist low ground pressure haulage vehicles will transfer the timber from the forest to the facility where it will be stacked adjacent to the rail line and uplifted using a dedicated loader on to specialist rail wagons.

​

"The loading of timber will take place while the train occupies the rail line and loading times will be timed to suit other rail services and determined by the specialist train provider. At this time, it is anticipated that up to three trains a week will operate within a 24 hour /7 day window."




It added: "For this demonstration project it is proposed that approximately 9000 tonnes of timber will be transferred by rail to Inverness with the exact timing and duration to be determined by the rail provider and the forest owner. The existing route for the site is the unclassified road between Strathmore and Westerdale and then the B870 to Spittal before joining the A9. This route has significant structural issues and moving the timber haulage to rail will bring significant benefits for the Highland Council as roads authority and other road users."

The application was supported by the Highland Timber Transport Group (HTTG) which said:"One of the major problems with timber-by-rail is the cost of road haulage from forest to rail and then rail to mill. Few Scottish mills are currently rail connected so the mill-end road journey cannot usually be eliminated. However, at Altnabreac, the rail-side loading facility is in the heart of a large forest, eliminating the need for public road haulage and utilising in-forest vehicles for transfer to the rail side. Apart from mitigating damage to the road network in Caithness this arrangement provides the best opportunity to establish if the the economics of timber-by-rail can be made viable and sustainable in Scotland."

In a statement before the councillors, HTTG, said: "Over the last 20 years, we have worked with the private sector and a range of supportive public bodies to see if timber-by-rail can be made to work in the Highlands. The Altnabreac Demonstrator Project could prove to be the culmination of this work and has the potential to inform mode transfer to rail opportunities across Scotland. Although the current proposal is limited in scale the strategic significance of what is proposed should not be lost."

 

[Purple Train]

I was never quite sure whether that particular chapter was 100% genuine, 100% fiction or had some basis in fact but with some (or lots) of artistic licence. I did like the book though.

It's definitely one of the more surreal chapters I've read in a travel book!

 

[yorksrob]

There are several strands that may be spun from this thread about one of the nation's quietest little stations and hints have been dropped (and picked up by some) on where to find them.

Readers and contributors here don't know the full story, yet. Attempts to openly speculate on how the dots might be joined up may not help resolution of any dispute.

This previously almost unknown location being in the spotlight has led me to the proposals in December 2021 to load timber at Altnabreac, an action that must have alarmed the few local residents used to a quiet life, see; https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.u...es-plan-to-take-9000-tonnes-of-timber-261124/

Did it happen? Is this potential project at the root of it?

Thousands of us have to live near motorways, noisy roads etc. Perhaps the resident should be offered to be bought out.

 

[Killingworth]

More about the timber loading site here in The Friends of the Far North Line February 2022 magazine;

Altnabreac Achievement

Long-awaited good news reached FoFNL at the end of 2021. The Highland Council showed its commitment to modal shift by granting planning permission on 10 December to Caledonia Forest Land Investment Ltd for the construction of a trackside loading facility on the north side of the railway adjacent to Altnabreac Station. The forestry from which the timber will originate is on the same side.

Timber will be transferred to the location by specialist low ground pressure haulage vehicles where it will be stacked. The train of dedicated timber wagons will stop on the railway, without the need for construction of a siding, as loading times will be arranged to avoid disruption to passenger services. The timber will then be transferred directly to the train.

The facility will be operated on a trial basis initially with up to three trains per week, the first 25 trainloads moving 9000 tonnes of timber and replacing 400 lorry trips. This is well aligned with the Scottish Government's policy of modal shift away from roads.

The technical aspects of this project were trialled in 2020 when Transport Scotland funded a number of trips from Georgemas Junction to Inverness using wagons normally used for carrying North Sea pipes. The trial was operated by Victa Railfreight, and the new service from Altnabreac will be provided by that company. Funding for the project is provided by Transport Scotland's Rail Freight Fund, Freight Facilities Grant and Mode Shift Revenue Support Grant. HITRANS has been the facilitator throughout.

If this venture proves successful it would be a model for other similar projects across Scotland. The amount of timber which could be moved from the Altnabreac site over the next decade is expected to be around 1 million tonnes.

Ian Budd

 

[3RDGEN]

More about the timber loading site here in The Friends of the Far North Line February 2022 magazine;

One issue with that plan is that it's lineside loading so will be carried out overnight when there are no passenger trains, its a method used previously on the FNL. Problem is this means during the day there will be noise from timber been delivered to the loading site and then overnight whilst the train is loaded, if you have moved to a place in the middle of nowhere presumable for peace and quiet I can see how this would be an issue. As per the article this could be a decade long project not just a short term issue.

Long-term issue is if they can't get access to the area for simple tasks now how can they do larger scale track mtce/repairs and as such in time would the line be at risk of temporary closure?

 

[greatkingrat]

It seems we have come full circle - from the days when railways would open a station purely for the local landowner, to the days when railways close a station purely for the local landowner!

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Semi-related. But looking at this lodge on Google Maps and dragging the little street view guy over it brings up loads of blue circles like you get in many places like railway stations and you can explore them. But when you get 'inside' the house it's a completely different place in a different location. It isn't just me seeing it surely?

No, definitely crossed wires on Google. The first picture I viewed shows a view out of the window with an 'oil rig'. I doubt anyone has dragged one of those up to Loch Dhu (the loch outside the lodge of same name).

Just for clarification, are we talking about the owner/resident of the station house or Lochdhu Lodge?

There are a number of nearby houses.

The timber loading plan #52 shows a building immediately adjacent to the platform marked 'private house' and a second marked 'old school house'.
Keepers Cottage is a little to the south.
Heading towards Loch Dhu there is a fourth property.
Then there is Loch Dhu Lodge. Ownership of this is stated (on a planning application) to be the house, some land around it, the loch itself and land around that, not a large area, basically a blob shape.

 

[Essexman]

Would be sad if this resulted in permanent closure, but this would be the logical outcome - no sense in spending money on a station that is little more than a curiosity.

It's more than a curiosity, it's a great place to walk from as I have done twice.

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

Perhaps NR should fly over to Republika Serbska and make them an offer for one of these to keep them safe!
Pat

 

[Stathern Jc]

What is the arrangement for traffic using the nearby level crossing?

It makes me wonder whether there would be similar hostility to access if that were to need some maintenance or something beyond a relatively minor repair as I presume that the ownership of the track there is part of the same length that is problematic in accessing the station.

There have been reports this week of inconvenience to local residents while the road over the level crossing at Bunchrew is closed while work is being done there.
If access is denied for any work to be done at Altnabreac it could get interesting if something were to "deteriorate" to a point where Network Rail could decide to declare the level crossing unsafe for use by the public.

 

[Railsigns]

What is the arrangement for traffic using the nearby level crossing?

It makes me wonder whether there would be similar hostility to access if that were to need some maintenance or something beyond a relatively minor repair as I presume that the ownership of the track there is part of the same length that is problematic in accessing the station.

There have been reports this week of inconvenience to local residents while the road over the level crossing at Bunchrew is closed while work is being done there.
If access is denied for any work to be done at Altnabreac it could get interesting if something were to "deteriorate" to a point where Network Rail could decide to declare the level crossing unsafe for use by the public.

Altnabreac LC is a simple user-worked crossing with just gates and telephones.

Bunchrew LC is being renewed and converted from AOCL+B type to ABCL.

 

[Stathern Jc]

Altnabreac LC is a simple user-worked crossing with just gates and telephones.

Thanks, That's what I imagined.
Wasn't making any comparison with the type of level crossing at Bunchrew, just the effect of work on the availability to users.
The work at Bunchrew is obviously well beyond routine and perhaps little if anything usually needs to be done at Altnabreac.
But if there was something simple like a hiccup with the telephone I can imagine the local Mr Awkward making plenty of noise and pointing his finger at Network Rail, and of course telling everyone that none of it had ever been his fault.