scotland (4K)
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

No Comparison

From a railway map point of view, the city (Trondheim) has something of the feel of Inverness about it, with...the northern route (to Bodo) equating to the Far North line to Wick and Thurso"
This is a quote from "Going to Hell and beyond" by Nick Pigott, Editor of the Railway Magazine in the May 2003 issue. (NO COMPARISON! The Far North line is a heavenly journey as we all know)
He goes on
"While we were having lunch in the bistro...
(NO COMPARISON! But would that there were! Potential MSPs and Franchisees please note)
...the train came to an abrupt halt in the middle of nowhere and then reversed a mile back down the line. It transpired that we had hit a sheep and the NSB rulebook stipulates that the crew must go back and ensure the beast isn't badly injured. If it is, they have to shoot it.
For this purpose each train is equipped with a shotgun. The number of animals killed by train or traincrew each year on that line alone is surprisingly high - 500 reindeer, 300 moose and 400 sheep. A few passengers began jokingly advising their fellow diners not to order lamb chops!"
(NO COMPARISON! Is there a moose on the loose in Strath Kildonan? I think not. OH DEAR, OH DEAR! - but nowhere near 500)

Submitted by Richard Ardern