Big welcome for today's return of the Cairngorm funicular
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The return of the repaired Cairngorm funicular after an absence of more than four years on safety grounds has been hailed as ‘brilliant and timely news’.
With Cairngorm Mountain enjoying an encouraging start to the season snow-wise, the resumption of the mountain railway will add further momentum.
The carriages – renamed Eagle and Hare and sporting new livery – is due to start running now (9.30am) this morning at the resort to the refurbished Ptarmigan top station, which now includes a new 270 degree immersive exhibition space.
Following rigorous quality and safety testing, the UK Department of Transport issued the safety certificates earlier this week that were awaited to allow the funicular to carry passengers once again.
The go-ahead follows repairs costing in the region of £25 million.
Badenoch MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP), who in his previous roles in the Scottish Government pushed for the funds to fix the funicular, told the ‘Strathy’: “This is brilliant and timely news for everyone in the strath.
“Many congratulations to Susan Smith (resort chief executive), her team and thanks to the contractors Balfour Beattie and especially to their workers for completing a tough job on what must be the most challenging construction site in Scotland.
“I also thank the leadership at HIE who have stuck with the funicular despite constant criticism
“I hope the funicular completion will pave the way for improvement to the uplift facilities and enable the attraction of investment.”
Mr Ewing added: “It’s essential all elected politicians as well as the Cairngorms National Park Authority now get behind the delivery of further improvements and in general provide unqualified explicit and full-throated support for all who work on the hill.”
Mark Tate welcomed the mountain railway’s returns both from a business perspective and as chairman of the Cairngorm Ski Club.
The Cairngorms Business Partnership chief said: “As we have begun to lose a little snow over the past few days the reintroduction of this vital piece of uplift for snowsports enthusiasts is amazing news and perfectly timed.
“The team at Cairngorm have done a tremendous job offering some fantastic snowsports this year, and the funicular will enable them to move that up another notch.
“As we head towards the half term holidays it is a major boost for the economy of the strath and will be welcome news for many businesses.
It is not just about winter of course, the funicular is an important summer attraction for the area and I am sure visitors and locals alike will be keen to visit the revamped Ptarmigan at the top station and the amazing year round mountain experience.”
As for the CSC, he said: “The funicular will make a huge difference to the ski club mission of inspiring the next generation of snowsports competitors, enthusiasts, coaches and people who want to work at Cairngorm Mountain and in the snowsports industry.”
Highland Council convener and local member Bill Lobban (Independent) said: “This is fantastic news for the whole community such is the importance to the entire economy of the area.
“The Scottish Government and HIE deserve considerable thanks for putting their trust in Cairngorm Mountain which can now go from strength to strength.”
Fellow local Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has supported the funding for this project.
“At last it is a good news story for the hill hopefully leading to a bumper season in the valley.”
Highlands regional MSP Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservative) said there were still many questions that needed answers.
He commented: “I am delighted to hear that the funicular is back up and running, and that the certificates have been issued promptly by the UK Government, which I sought to encourage.
“The re-opening of the railway now heralds another body of work which is an investigation into the costs of the repairs and a full examination of the reasons why it was closed.
“That’s why I am continuing to call for an inquiry into the management of Cairngorm Mountain.”
Save the Ciste spokesman Alan Brattey said: the return to public use of the funicular ‘should be of some benefit to the local economy’.
He said: “That is to be welcomed at a time when there are difficult and challenging times ahead for tourism based businesses.
“Whether or not it will revive the fortunes of the ailing CairnGorm business remains to be seen.”
The funicular takes around five minutes to cover the two kilometres to reach the top of the slopes at the Ptarmigan station.
Its re-introduction will also help ease pressure on uplift elsewhere on the slopes.
The reinstatement of the railway comes alongside other major improvement works including new ‘magic carpet’ conveyor belts for the beginner slopes and car park improvements as well as an overhaul of the Ptarmigan.
A Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd spokeswoman said: "The Ptarmigan restaurant and bar is now fully open and the exhibition is scheduled to follow next week."
The repair works have involved a complex engineering project to strengthen the viaduct and install a new control system.
The funicular was taken out of operation in September 2018 after cracks were found in the concrete piers which carry the track.
