Network Rail begins repairing the world-famous Glenfinnan viaduct
Posted: 8 May 2024 | Emily Budgen | No comments yet
Network Rail have begun repairs on the world-famous Glenfinnan viaduct, working with engineering company AmcoGiffen.


Network Rail’s £3.4m project to carry out repairs on the 123-year-old Glenfinnan viaduct is underway.
Network Rail, along with principal contractor AmcoGiffen, have set up a compound at the foot of the landmark, which sits 100ft above the River Finnan on the West Highland Line, 17 miles from Fort William.
The work is part of Network Rail’s ongoing maintenance programme and will help futureproof the viaduct.
It’s expected to take just under 12 months to complete and will see engineers assessing the condition and strength of the viaduct and making improvements beneath the track to keep the stone ballast in place.
Laura Craig, scheme project manager, Network Rail, said: “The main works to the viaduct will be concrete repairs. We’ll also be doing some repairs to the pier that sits in the River Finnan.
“Years of planning have gone into this project. The work will not have a massive visual impact on the way the viaduct looks and that’s very deliberate, with it being grade A listed.
“We won’t be scaffolding the structure at all but in the coming weeks, you’ll start to see the rope access technicians on the viaduct as they begin work.”
There will be no disruption to rail services during the work on the structure.
Ahead of work commencing, a community drop-in event was held in Glenfinnan, allowing those who live near the viaduct the opportunity to ask questions directly to the project team.
Laura added: “We want to thank all who came to the drop-in event. It was great to catch up with locals to answer questions and chat about our plans.
“We know it’s a much-loved viaduct and is, of course, the longest concrete viaduct in Scotland, spanning 1000ft.
“It’s a bucket list job for our team to work on and we’ll be sharing as much information and as many updates as we can throughout the project.”
A list of FAQs and the latest information is also available on our dedicated project page: Glenfinnan Viaduct renewals work (scotlandsrailway.com)
More Like This
Rail Baltica announced a market consultation date for alliance model procurements in Estonia
All change at Northern as new managing director and chief operating officer take the helm
IT-Trans 2024: IVU focuses on integrated IT solutions for buses and trains
NEW REPORT FROM GLOBAL RAILWAY REVIEW: Track Insight – Track Maintenance | Transforming Track Maintenance Through Technology
Our latest expert-led Track Insight explores how industry leaders are revolutionising the future of track maintenance through cutting-edge innovation and real-world strategies.
From automation and robotics now streamlining inspections and repairs, to predictive maintenance powered by IoT sensors and advanced analytics, the rail sector is entering a new era of precision and efficiency. Companies like Goldschmidt, Bentley Systems, and MxV Rail are leading the charge, redefining how infrastructure is managed with AI, machine learning, and digital twins to reduce downtime and extend asset life.
In this new data-rich landscape, organisations such as Amtrak and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are demonstrating how to turn vast streams of information—from track geometry to environmental monitoring into actionable intelligence for safer, smarter networks.
Download this insightful, practical guide for FREE and see how your operations can evolve – READ FOR FREE NOW!