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Far north line
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I travelled the FNL in late August 2016 between Lairg and Wick as I have done the southern end before but never the northern end. At Lairg it was approx 50 % loaded with the odd person getting on or off up to Georgemas. The majority of the pax got off at Thurso with only about 8 going through to Wick.
On the return (last of the day from Wick) there were 5 on board from Wick, about a dozen boarded at Thurso, again a few at Helmsdale but little elsewhere and the load was probably no more than 30% when i got off at Lairg.
Going north though we crossed at Forsinard the midday departure from Wick and it looked very full.
There is a guard on board but I would think if you travel out of the tourist season you will not have to fight for a seat. fares are also very good. £8.25 return Lairg - Wick !
matchmaker
Established Member
There is a conductor. No DOO up there! In fact several services have a catering trolley service.
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Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Given the remote and sometimes challenging territory, it's not one I'd like to contemplate DOO for!
DarloRich
Veteran Member
you have asked in a separate thread which are the quietest lines and another on what sort of trains the far north line runs and how you move between the cars. Now you want to know if you are to sit alone - are you up to something dodgy? 
cf111
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All trains are manned by a guard.
Loads are variable; I have travelled between Inverness and Thurso literally hundreds of times and only once have I been the only person on the train north of Tain bar the driver, guard and catering attendant. That was winter 2015.
Loads are variable; I have travelled between Inverness and Thurso literally hundreds of times and only once have I been the only person on the train north of Tain bar the driver, guard and catering attendant. That was winter 2015.
NottsPhil
Member
Yes, I travelled in October 2015 on the 07.02 off Inverness and by Wick there were four people on the train - the driver, conductor, trolley man and me. I think the trolleys switched with the rest of the crew at Lairg - he'd made less than £10 on that leg of the trip.
I wish there had been a trolley on board when I got the first service from Wick on a Saturday morning a few years back. After a night drinking single malts on a mate's stag do I forgot to bring a drink with me and had to wait 4 and half hours before I could get a drink at Inverness. I was so parched I was seriously considering drinking out of the toilet!
Filming some adult entertainment maybe?you have asked in a separate thread which are the quietest lines and another on what sort of trains the far north line runs and how you move between the cars. Now you want to know if you are to sit alone - are you up to something dodgy?
Sometimes they'll sit in the back cab, but usually they walk through the train having a chat with the passengers.
berneyarms
Established Member
What do you want to know this kind of information for can I ask?
Clansman
Established Member
Let's not be too hasty in judging. For all we know, the OP could simply be a kid with basic curiosity. All we can do is answer their questions and be done with it
The quietest services are generally the last and first trains each day, where it's likely you may encounter a situation where you are one of a small sum of passengers, or on your own - though this is unlikely.
Yes, there is a guard on all trains on the Far North Line.
It can be anything from very quiet to very busy. The busiest periods are in the morning, and late afternoon. Given the remote nature of the Far North line, it is unlikely a northbound train will be full after departing Invergordon, and vice versa.Rondee said:
The quietest services are generally the last and first trains each day, where it's likely you may encounter a situation where you are one of a small sum of passengers, or on your own - though this is unlikely.
This is up to the guard. Although they don't have their own designated cabin as such, guards can sit anywhere onboard the train, excluding the front cab. Guards tend to choose to sit in the back cab after finishing their respective duties.
Either the back cab or any free seat onboard the train. The guard is not allowed under any circumstances to be present with the driver whilst the train is in motion.
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backontrack
Established Member
I think the OP is thinking of filming something out of the window.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
That would not be permitted under any circumstances (assuming you mean "leaning out of the window" rather than just pointing a camera through the normal saloon window).
Robertj21a
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When I went on it last year we had 4 crew on board - driver, and one route learning, guard and trolley lady. Most of the time there were about 20 others on board.
How did you manage to get a fare as cheap as that. Was it an Anvance?
When I was staying in Helmsdale recently I found the fares very expensive, especially for shorter local journeys. I was intending using the train quite a bit but ended up driving because I found the Day Return fares unreasonably high and couldn't help feel that they ought to be reduced considerably to encourage more passengers to use the line for shorter local journeys.
I seem to remember that a Day Return from Helmsdale up to Thurso was over £20 as was a Day Return down from Helmsdale to Lairgs or Tain. What really amazed me was that a short 20 minute trip down the coast from Helmsdale to Golspie was about £12 for a Day Return.
Not just not permitted, but also not possible. Class 158s don't have opening windows (unless you have a T-key).
route:oxford
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Filming some adult entertainment maybe?
I'm always half expecting to see "where was this filmed and what type of unit?" thread involving either amateur or professional adult entertainment.
Lot's of indepth discussion of moquette, anti-macassars and on-board announcements crashing the audio...
headshot119
Established Member
Let's not be too hasty in judging. For all we know, the OP could simply be a kid with basic curiosity. All we can do is answer their questions and be done with it
Yes, there is a guard on all trains on the Far North Line.
It can be anything from very quiet to very busy. The busiest periods are in the morning, and late afternoon. Given the remote nature of the Far North line, it is unlikely a northbound train will be full after departing Invergordon, and vice versa.
The quietest services are generally the last and first trains each day, where it's likely you may encounter a situation where you are one of a small sum of passengers, or on your own - though this is unlikely.
This is up to the guard. Although they don't have their own designated cabin as such, guards can sit anywhere onboard the train, excluding the front cab. Guards tend to choose to sit in the back cab after finishing their respective duties.
Either the back cab or any free seat onboard the train. The guard is not allowed under any circumstances to be present with the driver whilst the train is in motion.
Except when acting as a competent person in the event the AWS, TPWS, DSD, vigilance fails, or the windscreen becomes smashed or obscured. Examining the line during darkness, poor visilbity, or the affected portion of the line to be examined is in a tunnel. Probably a few others I've missed.
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Yes, it was advance, bought on line about one month prior to travel
DarloRich
Veteran Member
Perhaps that is why we see a move towards more train seats being made out of leather?
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