environmental groups, who were concerned about damage to the mountain and its fragile soils and plants. The eventual compromise reached, after negotiations with Scottish Natural Heritage, allowed the Cairngorm Mountain Railway to be built, but with restrictions on its usage. Only those engaging in snow sports, or spectating, are allowed to exit from the top station. Other funicular users can visit the restaurant and visitor centre, but are currently restricted from leaving the building to start a walk. However, there are groups campaigning to remove this restriction. Controversy mired the building project, with budget over-runs, allegations of conflicts of interest by those connected to both Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the construction company and questions raised about the use of public money. The construction was estimated to have cost around £19.6 million, mostly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a government body. £2.7 million was provided by the European Union. The funicular opened in December 2001. The railway provides access from the ski centre's day lodge base station at up the Coire Cas to the ski centre's Ptarmigan building at AMSL, a total distance of 6,460 ft (1.97 km). Thie Ptarmigan station is the highest elevation train terminal in the British Isles. Cairn Gorm Locomotive A locomotive operated by Caledonian Sleeper, a train operator that offers sleeper trains from London Euston to Scotland. The locomotive is the only Class 67 locomotive to be operated by Caledonian Sleeper. The locomotive is the subject of a Hornby model with TTS Sound in OO gauge. References External links Computer generated summit panoramas North South here Cairn Gorm Weather Station CairnGorm Mountain Ltd. Munros Mountains and hills of the Cairngorms Mountains and hills of Moray Mountains and hills of Highland (council area) Ski areas and resorts in Scotland Climbing areas of Scotland One-thousanders of Scotland