Flying Up the West Highland Line in the Network Rail Helicopter

[@rikufryderyk]

Wow. Just wow. These behind-the-scenes videos keep getting better 🤩 I now agree that, as you said in your Q&A video, this truly is an amazing opportunity from Scotrail.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Riku! :-)

[@rikufryderyk]

​@@geofftech2 I really appreciate the effort you are putting in as you strive to make your videos up to the 'documentary standard'. You're doing so well!

[@southeasttrains377]

@@geofftech2this is a absolutely brilliant video!! Love it. Off to Corrour in a few weeks time. Your videos inspired me to go there!! Thank you. 😊

[@COVENTRYBRIAN]

A superb video. Outstanding

[@jw4499]

What great people doing very important jobs Great vid Geoff

[@homelab-student]

When you said a few weeks back that you had a couple of great videos comming up, you really weren't kidding! Brilliant stuff as always, thanks Geoff!

[@geofftech2]

that's Super kind of you! thank you. And there is indeed a second Scottish video in the edit .... :-p

[@homelab-student]

@@geofftech2 I very much look forward to it!

[@pwhitewick]

Just magnificent. What a great insight. And yeah... we really need to go back and try again don't we.

[@geofftech2]

Can I come with ya? 😊

[@steve.b.23]

@@geofftech2 It's the collab that we all want to see!

[@awild10]

I'd have never have known that Network Rail used a helicopter for line checks so really interesting to see what they do.

[@Brian3989]

Some of the electric companies also use helicopters to patrol main power lines.

[@awild10]

@@Brian3989 makes sense to do it that way especially as a lot of power lines don't follow the roads as they go across country.

[@rogink]

It's 550km from Cumbernauld to London. 180km to Inverness. There's something wrong with your heli if the much shorter distance takes longer! I suspect he is using the time for inspecting the line north, and just heading down south.

[@synchromystici5m]

I was going to comment the same thing - Scotland isn't *that* big!

[@Nooticus]

yeah i was going to say... hahaha, a little bit unclear but I kind of see what he means yeah

[@onlyhappyonatrain]

It's uphill to Inverness though... ;)

[@andrewholloway231]

Geoff... this is phenomenal. Thank you. 😊

[@rugglez]

Just wow! That has got to be an experience of a lifetime? Trains, a helicopter ride and some of the best scenery in the world. Thank you for sharing this with us Geoff.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Geoff is starring in his own ‘80s action movie today.

[@nitehawk86]

GET IN DA CHOPPA

[@WCMLtrainspotter]

Geoff’s becoming an aviation enthusiast

[@droguk1]

thanks to inspiration from Geoff's videos, we are just back home following a week's holiday using one of the Scotrail rover tickets to enjoy some of the Highlands and other parts of Scotland and would definitely do it again.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

I love trains, aircraft and Scotland's wonderful scenery. Fab film!

[@handyandy6050]

Wow. Travelled this beautiful line a few times. Thank You to Network Rail Helicopter service for looking after our safety. Thanks to Geoff for making us aware of it.

[@mickontherock1]

What an outstanding video. Geoff every time it’s entertaining. This video just goes to show the respect and confidence they have in you to allow you to do something like this. Congratulations and thank you once again. All the best Mick

[@geofftech2]

thanks Mick, that's very kind. hoping to get asked to do more great stuff like this!

[@UndergroundEric]

Sean is a top guy, he travels on the sleeper a lot so i see him regular when driving it. I hope to one day have a go! You lucky sod! 😀

[@debshipard1664]

Excellent viewing. In South Australia we have choppers checking our power lines. But not near as advanced as this. They fly very low and check by eye sight.

[@saintuk70]

Oh wow, awesome. Cumbernauld is just up the road from me too...hope you had a great time up here. The West Highland line, especially to Oban is truly awesome - have used it many times to get my ferry onto the isles.

[@geofftech2]

i can confirm that Irn Bru was consumed during my visit!! :-D

[@saintuk70]

@@geofftech2 Made in Scotland, from girders.... the other national drink :)

[@TheDarylSharp]

@@geofftech2did you visit the factory? It’s on the west side of Cumbernauld. You would have possibly passed over it when you passed by Croy on the mainline heading towards Queen Street

[@rickyzuc]

Amazing! It’s obvious when you think about it but I never knew that Network Rail operated this unit. Fantastic work carried out by the team there, loved all the chat about the helicopter gadgets and what concerns are watched out for.

[@andrewhunt3659]

A really great little documentary, Geoff, which I'm sure would be of interest to a lot of non-railway people as well. Made all the better by Shaun whose enthusiasm and knowledge shone through. Keep up the good work.

[@EdwardSutton-x7u]

Fantastic Geoff, well done to the Air ops team and yourself. thankyou.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

One of my favourite videos Geoff; this was absolutely fascinating and extremely well shot. Thank you.

[@TheDarylSharp]

Woo Hoo…. What’s it called….Cumbernauld. Never would I thought as a kid growing up there that the airport would be on KZbin

[@davidpiper3652]

Stuff you don'y know about that keeps it all moving and safe. Brilliant as always.

[@squirreltismw8295]

Geff This is the best thing you Ve ever. Done, and very interesting to see what network rail rarely get up to

[@stephen24601]

Absolutely phenomenal video, Geoff. That view out towards Corrour across Rannoch Moor captures what is so spectacular about Scotland and its railway network.

[@piggybakkers]

What an excellent and professional documentary video. Geoff, you really are knocking it out of the park these days!

[@Mvlonewolf144]

Shout out to the Spitfire wallpaper on the monitor! Great video!

[@geofftech2]

You know it! 👍👍

[@WhiteTiger333]

Fascinating! I had no idea helicopters with that sort of camera was used for this. So interesting to see the rails winding through forests and over the hills.

[@bensonby]

Your videos just keep getting better and better Geoff. Aircraft and trains, two of my favourite things! Awesome stuff.

[@RandomTFLupdates-PEPS_FOR_LIFE]

Oh wow! This is honestly something, gotta love these behind the scenes vids !!!

[@sardonicus1966]

I love the AS355 and the AS350’s. Bloody great aircraft, worked with them for a few years out of Denham Aerodrome. What a great opportunity Geoff…

[@paultidd9332]

Incredible and that view across Rannoch Moor and to think it was just under a year ago I was staying in the signal box at Corrour.

[@warrentravis8640]

Wow! For me that’s the best video I have watched on your channel Geoff. It’s very informative with some wonderful information from the operator and yourself. As a railway veteran of over 40 years with Sydney trains in Australia, I can only wish we had this sort of equipment to work with. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing your next video adventure.

[@chrisdenham9086]

🎉 brilliant film mate, and lovely to see Ciaran there too!

[@craigshovlin9756]

That very helicopter woke me up last week when it kept circling above my house in Bellshill inspecting the line

[@MrGreatplum]

Absolutely incredible, Geoff! What a view! That’s one heck of a camera as well!

[@MattBDG]

Would love to get the train up that way, glad you recommended this video to me earlier Geoff, was great to meet you!

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks Geoff that was an absolutely brilliant video 👍

[@sandiandgregh]

This was terrific. We love behind the scenes videos but this was next level. Those views !!

[@jonpowell9011]

Great, interesting video. Sean the star.

[@seanleahy3349]

Thanks Jon

[@TomCro73]

I used to believe there wasn't a finer job on the railways than driving the West Highland. Turns out I was missing something! Great video Jeff, thanks!!

[@milehighclassics]

I never knew about this fantastic work all round. I’m amazed and now I’m going to find out more

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Superb clip Geoff, thanks. The 'cost benefit analysis' of operating choppers certainly hit home.

[@grahamcarr5788]

Crikey you lucky guy,I’m mega jealous.Nice one Geoff 👍

[@marthaanderson2656]

what a treat. I will be riding this line in three weeks and cannot wait. Thanks for showing us something quite new.

[@bryanml2816]

Now this video is an absolut treat, combining aviation and trains just is just brilliant. Geoff thank you so much for always putting out this outstanding quality of contet. X Bryan

[@Drdee1]

Thanks for this Geoff. I've had a stay in Corrour and this brings back so many happy (and slightly) frightening memories. I may or may not have walked along the line after getting lost on Rannoch Moor ...

[@lornajaneadventures]

Absolutely incredible. A very interesting video and Sean is a great speaker

[@HenrysAdventures]

Having travelled on the West Highland Line many times it was fascinating to see it from the angle.

[@richardarcher3254]

So glad you made another fascinating and informative behind the scenes docu. Keep 'em coming!

[@Nooticus]

5 days after upload and only 43k views... how disappointing ): Keep your head up though Geoff, this is phenomenal content that will be watched and rewatched for generations as part of the historical record of the railways in 2024! Sean is spot on when it comes to the absolute importance of remote/rural railways.

[@tankmicr00man]

Great comment!

[@Nooticus]

@@tankmicr00man thank you!

[@blairthomson9927]

The very helicopter that has flown over my head whilst patrolling the Kyle of Lochalsh line. Great insight Geoff!

[@jon6815]

absolutely riveting - thank you

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

A+ That was a really outstanding show (!!)

[@6yjjk]

Ha! I literally just finished watching a cab ride along that line, came back to the YT front page, and found this :)

[@flightsimmer9809]

This is just incredible thank you for sharing this amazing as always

[@duchygardens]

Great video Geoff, really original and different.👍

[@davidlewis8742]

Great footage and super informative, thank you Geoff

[@etmccaus]

We saw glimpses of this line when driving from Turnberry to Oban - absolutely gorgeous, and I'd have loved to made the trip by rail. Next time...

[@RobinPalmerTV]

What an incredible trip!

[@paulhoughton5266]

Very impressive. I also walked from Milngavie to Tyndrum (88kms) over the Augusy Bank Holiday and rode the train back to Glasgow awesome.

[@darrelhendrie]

Fantastic video Geoff. Very interesting and informative. The scenery looks great. Well shot and edited. Thanks

[@davidgibson1978]

Great video Geoff showing how Network Rail keep the railways moving with helicopter surveys

[@CharlesMalcolm-p6x]

What a great film, and what a great job that guy has!

[@bizmen81]

This was amazing! Thank you for the unique video!

[@daispy101]

I hope you got the chance to ride the line, too, Geoff. I took it from Glasgow Queen St. to Fort William back in the 90s and spent almost the entire trip staring at the scenery. It was stunning (once we cleared Glasgow)

[@Sim0nTrains]

That was a nice journey via helicopter and nice to see places from the air like Glasgow Central and the West Highland Line

[@MrRawMonkey]

Learn something new everyday.

[@a11oge]

Another great vdeo Geoff - What a useful role this chopper and crew perform. And what a great piece of kit that chopper's camera is.

[@stevencgr]

well this confirms it, I walked past you in Glasgow a week or so ago and thought 'I'm sure that was Geoff Marshall'

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for sharing this video Geoff it was very interesting and fascinating. ❤

[@travelswithjess]

Fantastic video Geoff, very well filmed and edited 👍🏻😀

[@Transportationspotting]

That’s amazing to see how they manage to do that!

[@stevemyers1071]

Brilliant video! Wow, who’d have thought it.

[@MaJoRMJR]

That part of Scotland is stunning from the window of a coach and a train (and from up Ben Nevis), and it seems from above, too

[@jfmezei]

Am very impressed with how your dedication to quality videos over many years has given you so much respect/credibility to get such high profile invitations.

[@djctube]

Wow I had no idea this was thing! Amazing video, Geoff. Thank you!

[@rogerhill138]

Thanks. Really interesting.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video Geoff really enjoyed it. Very interesting.

[@DanLoudShirts]

Excellent insight in to what goes on to keep the railways going and passengers safe. Very good documentary!

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

I’m intrigued by how you managed to get a flight with Network Rail up in Scotland. Very interesting.

[@andrewr2825]

Just brilliant - I had no idea NetworkRail did this!

[@davecartwright6427]

What an amazing video. Utterly knowledgable professionals doing a tremendous job. Might even be in contention for my favourite Geoff video … can’t decide whether or not it beats “15 Floors” :-)

[@elainemulberryrat5300]

Geoff, really interesting content and a chance to see remote Scotland from the air.❤

[@julianhweatherall2253]

Glad to see my old “Oppo” Sean Leahey still as busy as ever…

[@iandiplock3338]

Amazing insight into what they do. Definitely seems the most sensible option compared to trying to run a usual test train up along all those tracks.

[@theresabradley4716]

That was just brilliant!

[@JCCC1609]

Excellent extremely interesting thank you Geoff

[@Photoline1]

I've done remote fly-ins for a totally different purpose, but the economy and efficiency of flight is what wins the day. Time is money, and the costs of ground logistics add up fast when you prolong a survey.

[@luisstransport]

Great video Geoff

[@cameronrussell7679]

I started my pilot training for my PPL at Combernauld 😂, used to be a grate wie airfield!

[@pepelemoko2820]

Filling out my YTS job application. Post applying for: Camera dude on helicopter.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Fantastic video Geoff, the views look absolutely amazing around Rannoch Moor. I loved the shots of the trains you managed to get out of the window as you flew along, I don't think many people can claim they've flown in a helicopter owned by Network Rail! 😂

[@klaus3579]

Well, conclusion of these beautiful views and valued information: I trust the Scots to preserve their nature and wonderful countryside as well as the ressources. Stay human. After all the monetary rush.

[@TheTrainNerd23]

Incredible! Never knew they would use helicopters this far north (coming from someone that has never been more north than Manchester) to check on the railway . Really looking forward to new videos soon - keep up the good work!

[@roboftherock]

Helicopters have been flying in and around the mountains seen here for decades, usually on Search and Rescue missions. Not forgetting to mention the air ambulance service. Just two of many uses of helicopters 'this far north'.

[@TheTrainNerd23]

@@roboftherock I always just thought that they would send a train down to check the tracks, but “this far north” it’s mainly single track lines so I do realise it’s not the most effective.

[@15boronia]

Bloody brilliant!!!

[@elwisuntemp7199]

Oh, this is pretty cool!!

[@The_Georgi0]

Love the outro!

[@Jimyjames73]

W😮W How amazing - did not know about this - Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@raymondflanagan9355]

Cumbernauld. My home town. Have been in a flying lesson from the airport.

[@alexeytoptygin7581]

2:04 Nice shots of Glasgow, very pretty