These are some jottings which Richard Ardern has sent round the FoFNL committee in the last while. He has focused on instances of extreme lateness at Helmsdale and of the 06:18 Wick to Inverness. They are another example of the continuous observation that is being done by FoFNL members.

Extra long endurance waits:

Helmsdale northbound

10:38 Inverness to Wick

31 August arrived Helmsdale 20 minutes late and left 68 late (20/68)
10 September 35/68
28 September 27/67
27 October 18/68
15 November 27/68

07:02 Inverness to Wick

10 September 35/68

14:00 Inverness to Wick

13 September 19/82 - an extreme 65 minute wait!
28 October 12/70 - almost a 60 minute wait.
05 November 30/69

06:18 Wick to Inverness southbound

17 December held at Muir of Ord (MOO) arrived Muir of Ord 35 late and departed 68 late.
Very unfortunate as it would have been full of pre-Christmas Saturday shoppers.
19 December 06:18 also continuously lost time and was eventually cancelled at Lairg "due to a problem with the traction equipment".

Interesting that my notes show only one delay at MOO. They mostly reflect dire need for a loop at Kinbrace.

Richard mentioned that these were only a few observations, far from being a complete picture.

Meanwhile, our Secretary, Malcolm Wood, has been compiling spreadsheets of late-running and cancellations and these are available here .