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Location notes
A funicular railway on Cairngorm mountain, mainly for skiers access, but also tourist traffic, from the car park to near the summit at the top station. Replaces the old chairlifts that have since been removed.
Railway type and traffic
Cable-operated funicular railway, operated by two cars, Coire and Cairn. Passengers, standing room only. End to-end, with a passing loop half way.
Depending on the time of year the railway runs at different speed. During the winter the railway is run at high speed with the emphasis on moving skiers to the slopes. Whereas in the summer the line runs at a low speed so that travellers can enjoy the fantastic views.
Incidentally, the railway does not close until wind speeds of 85 mph occur, which is not often even at its height of 2000 to 3000 feet above sea level.
The line operates using a cable pull system with a double flanged wheel on the outer edge and a roller wheel on the inner edge.
For more information see The Gazetteer for Scotland pages.
Depending on the time of year the railway runs at different speed. During the winter the railway is run at high speed with the emphasis on moving skiers to the slopes. Whereas in the summer the line runs at a low speed so that travellers can enjoy the fantastic views.
Incidentally, the railway does not close until wind speeds of 85 mph occur, which is not often even at its height of 2000 to 3000 feet above sea level.
The line operates using a cable pull system with a double flanged wheel on the outer edge and a roller wheel on the inner edge.
For more information see The Gazetteer for Scotland pages.
Environment
Goes between half-way and (almost) all the way up a mountain, so weather is VERY changeable (hang around for 20 minutes and you'll know what I mean). Cairngorm is over 4,000 feet high, one of the higher munros, so if it's clear, you're in for some spectacular backdrops!
Note that if you want to get to the summit of the mountain, you cannot do so by taking the funicular. This is to cut down on environmental damage from hoards of tourists. You'll need to get those boots out and hike up!
Note that if you want to get to the summit of the mountain, you cannot do so by taking the funicular. This is to cut down on environmental damage from hoards of tourists. You'll need to get those boots out and hike up!
Road directions
A9 to Aviemore, then follow the signs to the ski centre or Loch Morlich. Follow the road to the end, and you're there.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Cairgorm Funicular Railway map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Cairgorm Funicular Railway map co-ordinates
Parking
Several car parks. The top car park is the best, as it's right at the Day Lodge/bottom station. It fills up early on skiing days though, but there is a shuttle bus between the Lodge and the other ones. All are signposted.
Public transport
Amenities
Top and bottom stations have restaurants, but sky high prices for eating at altitude!
Accommodation
Speyside is a tourist area. SYHA hostels at Aviemore and Glenmore/Loch Morlich. Tons of hotels, campsites, chalets around, too.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Cairgorm Funicular Railway
Streetmap links
Cairgorm Funicular Railway general view map
Cairgorm Funicular Railway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Cairgorm Funicular Railway
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Cairgorm Funicular Railway
Googly map
Cairgorm Funicular Railway general view map
Cairgorm Funicular Railway close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Cairgorm Funicular Railway
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Best location is anywhere on the mountain side where you can see the line, as it's raised up. The bottom station is covered, so not the best. Trains enter the top station via a tunnel, so that's that out too!
Middle station is just next to the passing loop, so is probably the best place to photograph. Sticking west of the station allows you to be higher up, as the ground slopes away a lot on the other side.
Also, as you can see out the front and rear of the cars, this can be a good location too!
Middle station is just next to the passing loop, so is probably the best place to photograph. Sticking west of the station allows you to be higher up, as the ground slopes away a lot on the other side.
Also, as you can see out the front and rear of the cars, this can be a good location too!
General views - All photographs © Mark Henderson unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Looking up the line from the middle station.
Fig 2 - Looking east
A view of the middle station
Fig 3 - Looking south east
Looking up the line. You can just make out the tunnel mouth at the top.
Fig 4 - Looking south east
Entering the passing loop, just above the middle station
Fig 5 - Looking east
The passing loop as viewed from the ground.
Fig 6 - Looking north
Entering the middle station
Fig 7 - Looking south east - image © Alex Dow
Fig 8 - Looking south east - image © Alex Dow
This shot demonstrates the fixed nature of the line, showing the cables running through gaps in the track. This cable hauls the cars along it's length, with the outer tracks supporting the double flanged wheels that guide the cars along the length of the line. The inner roller wheels merely supporting the car on it's journey.
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
Slochd Viaduct
