JOURNEYS on the UK’s highest train line can take place once again following a seven-year closure.
Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorm Funicular closed in 2018 to undergo structural repairs.
The Cairngorm Funicular is the highest railway in the UK[/caption]
The train line reopened on February 27 after being closed since 2018[/caption]
Following the £25million renovation, the Cairngorm Funicular briefly reopened in 2023 before closing again seven months later because of snagging issues.
The eight-minute rail route officially reopened on February 27 following an ‘extensive programme of remediation works’ that saw all safety matters resolved.
Since first taking to the rails in 2001, the Cairngorm Funicular has proven popular with holidaymakers thanks to its breathtaking views.
Set 1,097m above sea level, the train line stretches for 2km, with journeys taking between five and eight minutes.
The Cairngorm Funicular connects holidaymakers to Ptarmigan Top Station and a ski area.
After disembarking the rail service, tourists have access to the UK’s highest restaurant, a gin bar and an outdoor viewing terrace.
Each of the attractions overlooks the scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the country.
Even though journeys on the Cairngorm Funicular are up-and-running, Ptarmigan Top Station will reopen in stages.
For example, the restaurant will only serve soup, sandwiches and drinks initially.
The menu will be expanded in the coming weeks, with the onsite gift shop and exhibition also set to reopen.
Boss of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland, Tim Hurst, said: “The Cairngorm Mountain team are overjoyed to be welcoming customers onto the funicular railway once more.
“Following confirmation from our parent company, Highlands and Island Enterprise, the railway will now be handed over to us at CMSL to operate once more.
“We recognise how critical the railway is, not only to our entire team here at CMS but to all our customers and to the many businesses in the local and regional area.
“We would like to thank all our visitors for their patience whilst remediation took place.”
Adult return tickets start from £22, with fares for children aged between six and 17 from £12.50.
Like other unusual train attractions in the UK, the Cairngorm Funicular has been praised by passengers.
One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “I have been on the funicular railway several times since it opened, it’s a great experience with each month offering different views.”
Another person added: “The eight-minute ascent is breathtaking. It’s truly magical.”
Elsewhere in the UK, a rail route that ‘time forgot’ has been crowned one of the best in the world by National Geographic.
The Heart of Wales Line runs from Swansea to Shrewsbury, with journeys taking four hours between the two destinations.
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
And here is the UK’s tiniest train line, with a three-minute journey that costs £1.50.
Meanwhile, this London underground station secretly protected Sir Winston Churchill during World War II.
Journeys on the Cairngorm Funicular take between five to eight minutes[/caption]
Return tickets start from £22 for a full-paying adult[/caption]
