The Friends of the Far North Line
Cairdean Na Loine Tuath
the campaign group for rail north of
Inverness - lobbying for improved services for the local user, tourist and freight
operator
Present: Ian Budd (Convener), Iain MacDonald, Richard Mansfield, and Neil Wallace (Secretary).
Apologies: David Start (Treasurer), Angus Stewart (Membership), Les Turner, Malcolm Wood.
David Start presented his report - details will be circulated for the 2025 AGM.
Membership numbers had risen to 253.
Ian Budd and Richard Ardern had met with Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, at Holyrood. The unfavourable financial position had resulted in several FNL improvements being put on hold, including the overdue construction of a passing loop at Delmore and the provision of electrified points at key locations.
Discussions held jointly with SAPT and Transport Scotland on procurement of new rolling stock were subject to similar setbacks, although it was recognised that main line HST units would need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
A photographic exhibition was scheduled for 16-19 October at the North Coast Visitor Centre, Thurso. A plaque would be unveiled at Wick Station on a later date.
ScotRail were not yet able to provide a firm date for re-opening, pending resolution of an access dispute which was disrupting planned maintenance operations.
Comments had been received from Les Turner regarding the issues relevant to Delmore loop, also on the lack of availability of suitable wagons to move timber on the FNL.
Discussion on succession planning and the need to recruit new committee members.
During the course of the year, in addition to the meeting mentioned above with Fiona Hyslop, meetings took place with Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, for general discussion; Louise Shaw from Transport Scotland and Jon Newton from Scottish Rail Holdings about rolling stock procurement (joint attendance with SAPT) ; online meetings with Jamie Stone M.P. and Alan Ross, Director Engineering and Asset Management, Network Rail.
Talks about FoFNL were given to CRAG (Capital Rail Action Group [Edinburgh]) and RAGES (Rail Action Group East of Scotland).
FoFNL is represented on the Caithness Transport Forum and the Holyrood Cross Party Group for Sustainable Transport.