The ‘Beast from the East’ caused severe disruption to all forms of transport at the end of February and the beginning of March. Parts of Scotland saw some of the worst snow in generations, which had a major impact on Scotland's railway.
Our staff from across the ScotRail Alliance worked day and night to clear deep snow and ice, and to get services back to normal when the very worst of the weather had passed.
The main challenges we faced were drifting snow and the railway infrastructure being exposed to sub-zero temperatures. On top of that, our trains took a battering from the snow and freezing temperatures - up to three tons of snow can accumulate under a train, and this can lead faults.
Here's some pictures of the challenges we faced as the #BeastFromTheEast hit Scotland.
?️Today’s snow means trains have to slow down. Our teams have been out clearing track at key junctions and using cold-weather vehicles➡️ https://t.co/Jd6vPcQVYu
— Network Rail (@networkrail) February 28, 2018
Please take extra care in & around stations. Check @nationalrailenq for service info.ℹ️#UKsnow #railwaysafety pic.twitter.com/4LwaHScbDL
One of our Class 334 trains stabled at Helensburgh overnight. Check out the icicles! ❄️ #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/vJmQV9aLXj
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 1, 2018
This was our last service that ran from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street yesterday ❄️ Check that ice! #BeastFromTheEast ^AE pic.twitter.com/dE0Mn7tkXO
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 1, 2018
Here's Dumbarton Central station. ?#BeastFromTheEast #uksnow pic.twitter.com/rMfv1fwBdR
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 1, 2018
?️ Here's a route proving train testing the line between Port Glasgow and Gourock. pic.twitter.com/aH4xIcOTw9
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 2, 2018
Our team at Partick working hard to clear the platforms of snow. Thank you! ? pic.twitter.com/AVN9T1Wyjg
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 2, 2018
Another snap from #Bishopton ^CT pic.twitter.com/TQrshg2ojS
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 2, 2018
This is between #Brora and #Wick on the Far North Line on what they call the first Friday in Spring.
— NetworkRail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) March 2, 2018
I am told there is a railway here somewhere. pic.twitter.com/Ll3eyqGCBJ
You can see the rails at the bottom of this photo, with 10ft drift up ahead! pic.twitter.com/wrEpul1efJ
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 3, 2018
Massive thank you to everyone at the ScotRail Alliance that worked tirelessly day & night to get Scotland's railway back up and running!
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 4, 2018
The #BeastFromTheEast was defeated ?? ^AE pic.twitter.com/rkNpeCXf7G