This is a companion page to Far North Express 98, May 2026.

Links mentioned in the magazine, and larger versions of some pictures:

AGM & Conference 2026 - P3

Our AGM for members only will begin the day at 10:45. The Conference will commence at 11:30 and our first speaker, Jim Summers will give us a longer talk than usual, covering the origins of "ScotRail", and much more.

After lunch we will hear from Tom Smith, ScotRail's Head of Fleet Technical and Graeme Cook, Director of Rail Delivery, Transport Scotland.

• Lovat Arms Hotel

Map of Beauly, showing Lovat Arms Hotel location

Disingenuous Electrification - P5

• Ian Walmsley's full article and follow-up from Modern Railways March and April 2026 issues - with kind permission from Ian Walmsley, and MR Editor, Richard Clinnick.
• Roger Ford's Informed Sources article from 2024 also mentioned DE.

Inverness Integrated Interchange - P12

• Inverness Interchange Feasibility Study - full public consultation document.

Joint Plea to HITRANS - P14

Our joint letter received an immediate reply from Cllr Uisdean Robertson, HITRANS Chair, assuring us that Frank's successor will be a full-time appointment.

• The joint letter sent by seven Scottish organisations.

Flow Country Tourism Strategy - P14

• This is the display panel which accompanied the community consultation eventswhich took place in Thurso and Lairg in April.

West Fraser Connects...an Update - P16

This edition of Far North Express was already at the printer when news came that the first train had arrived at the new terminal. Our intrepid committee member, Ken Thomson, was there - here is his report:

• West Fraser News Flash

Join In! - P24

For those of us that travel around by train this is a great project to which we can all contribute.

• The Station Heritage Artifacts website.

Larger versions of some of the photos in the article, plus a few others from around the country.

Highland Railway Company WWI memorial, Inverness	Wall letter box and Sustrans National Cycle Network Route marker, Thurso	Sutherland Railway monogram, Inverness
GWR bench, Worcester Shrub Hill	LNER utility cover, platform 1-2, Shenfield	LNWR footbridge number plaque, Worcester Shrub Hill

The Lochinver Railway : Part II - P28

A chance to get a closer look at these maps.

Dunbar sketch map.

View of Dunbar's full sketch map

Andrew Drummond Online - P31

• Andy Drummond's website

On the Map - P32

The Culbokie History Group covers the full story of the railway. The intriguing twist of the railway's 'ghost appearence' on Bartholomew's maps has given an insight into the process of map production at the beginning of the 20th century.

• Culbokie History Group

• Cromarty and Dingwall Light Railway story

Cutting the first sod for construction of the Dingwall and Cromarty Railway

Crowds attend the ceremony

'The first load of passengers'

If you enjoy looking at the history of an area through maps a wonderful facility exists on the National Library of Scotland website, where you can choose an area and then overlay a selection of old maps on top of the Google satellite view - well worth a visit.

• National Library of Scotland Georeferenced Maps

Close-up of the map cover

Information request detail

Bartholomew 1912 half inch to the mile, showing the line as 'ladder'.

Bartholomew's 10 miles to an inch road and railway map, 1920