Changes to services on Monday, 11 January

Exceptionally heavy rain is forecast over the next 24 hrs with 30-70mm expected across the north and west of Scotland in particular.

This extreme weather is on top of melting snow as temperatures begin to rise. We're working closely with Network Rail to coordinate our response to this.

Network Rail will implement 40mph or lower speed restrictions on the following routes, in response to the forecast

• Inverness - Perth (Highland Mainline).
• Inverness - Aberdeen
• Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh / Wick
• Crianlarich - Oban, Fort William and Mallaig (West Highland Line)

If you're making an essential journey, please do check the ScotRail app or ScotRail.co.uk. These speed restrictions will affect the number of trains which can run on these routes and journey times will be extended.

Scotland's Railway Integrated Control team will be monitoring the weather, river telemetry, areas prone to flooding and coordinating the railway's response. Our teams on the ground will inspect structures in worst affected areas and we're proactively checking pumping kit before the rain arrives.

Inverness - Perth

We'll suspend train services between Inverness and Perth in both directions tomorrow (Monday 11 January), due to speed restrictions being imposed for safety reasons that'll significantly add to journey times. Trains need to run at 40mph for up to 83 miles along the route and this will cause delays along the route at several points where trains 'cross' each other on sections of single track.

Our Glasgow/Edinburgh - Inverness trains will run between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Perth only in both directions.

We've arranged for ScotRail ticket or Smartcard holders making essential journeys to be carried on the 0540 Perth to Inverness Caledonian Sleeper service if this service runs. After that time, we'll operate rail replacement transport between Inverness and Perth in both directions, departing every 2 hours starting at 06:00 from Inverness and 07:00 from Perth.

If weather conditions allow, following the end of the speed restrictions we aim to operate our 1941 Edinburgh to Inverness and 2015 Inverness to Glasgow Queen Street as train services throughout.

Inverness - Aberdeen

We'll operate our normal timetable on the Inverness - Aberdeen route tomorrow, though we expect to see delays of up to 30 minutes, caused by speed restrictions being put in place for safety reasons. Trains will be able to travel at a maximum of 40mph at several locations between Inverness & Keith.

Far North Line, Inverness - Wick/Thurso

We'll suspend our services between Inverness and Wick/Thurso in both directions tomorrow, due to speed restrictions on the route, put in place for safety reasons that'll significantly add to journey times. Trains need to run at 40mph for up to 163 miles along the route. This will cause add over 1 hour and 20 minutes to journey times at minimum and cause further disruption at points where trains 'cross' each other on sections of single track.

We're arranging for valid ScotRail tickets or Smartcard holders making essential journeys to travel on Stagecoach North bus services between Inverness & Wick in both directions. We'll also operate a very limited rail replacement transport in both directions.

Exceptions

• The 06:26 Lairg to Inverness service will start from Tain at 06:59.
• The 17:12 Inverness to Ardgay service will terminate at Tain at 18:23
• The 19:29 Ardgay to Inverness service will start from Tain at 19:47

Kyle Line, Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh

We'll operate our normal timetable on the Kyle Line tomorrow, though we are expecting delays of up to 25 minutes caused by speed restrictions being put in place for safety reasons. Trains will be able to travel at a maximum of 40mph

West Highland Line, Glasgow Queen Street - Oban, Fort William & Mallaig

We'll operate a revised timetable tomorrow on the West Highland Line, with buses replacing trains between Crianlarich - Oban & Crianlarich - Fort William in both directions. Train services between Fort William and Mallaig will be delayed between Glenfinnan & Lochailort due to a speed restriction being in place.

For those making essential journeys, we'll operate very limited rail replacement transport between Crianlarich and Oban/Fort William.