THE line between Crianlarich and Oban was blocked by a landslide on December 19, near Falls of Cruachan, close to Loch Awe. The slip occurred due to a high volume of water flowing down from privately-owned land above the railway after a thaw in the previous week’s freezing weather.
Network Rail teams completed temporary repairs but worked through the Christmas holiday to lay new track. Engineers removed more than 200 tonnes of landslip material and installed a barrier system to protect the railway while more extensive work was carried out, allowing the line to reopen on December 27 albeit with a speed restriction.