PICTURES: Sea damage to Far North Line revealed by Network Rail Scotland
Repairs are under way on a sea-battered section of the Far North Line - but railway chiefs have warned to expect disruption for much if not all of the working week.
Spring tides and prevailing winds resulted in damaging waves battering a section of the Far North Line between Brora and Helmsdale on Sunday and Monday.
The damage caused led to the cancellation of trains on that section of track, leading to a slew of knock-on disruption for passengers that continues today.
Cancellations, timetable revisions, and partial bus replacement services have all been implemented for parts of the route.
Yesterday, Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail said it was too early to fully inspect the damage, amid continued strong tides but warned to expect disruption to last until at least lunchtime today (Wednesday).
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But as of this morning ScotRail's website and app were warning passengers to expect disruption until the end of the day on Thursday/Friday.
And Network Rail Scotland's most recent message to passengers revealed that it plans to provide an update on the timeframe on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, it has released images of the site as repairs got under way.
Posting images of the work and damage on Twitter, a Network Rail Scotland spokesperson said: "We've begun repairs to the railway's sea defences at Lothbeg, between Brora and Helmsdale on the Far North Line.
"Unfortunately, further damage was discovered when the team arrived, meaning the line won't reopen on Wednesday as expected.
"As you can see, machinery and the initial delivery of rock armour have arrived. We're working between the high tides to repair the damage.
"We'll share another update early afternoon on Wednesday with more robust timescales for the railway to reopen."
A ScotRail update at 5am on Wednesday added: "Works delivery and minor works contractor AMCO are onsite, with plant and initial rock armour stone delivered to site.
"Further damage has occurred since yesterday and we don't have an exact date for the line to reopen. A further update will be provided Wednesday at approximately 2pm."
For the latest travel updates on the route, visit www.scotrail.co.uk or visit www.journeycheck.com/scotrail.
The damaged section of track is in the same area as coastal damage which closed the line for several days back in October.
