The level of interest in a train service from Oban to London will be tested during a trial run this month.
The Caledonian Sleeper will travel between London and Oban instead of Fort William for three weekends in February due to planned engineering works.
Management took the decision to extend the route during this time to test customer appetite as they consider plans for potential route expansion in the future.
Peter Strachan, Caledonian Sleeper’s managing director, will be hosting a business breakfast later this month to discuss the opportunity with Oban businesses, and the company’s plans for the future of the service.
Mr Strachan said: “As we continue to progress our plans for the Caledonian Sleeper service over the next 15 years we are keen to explore the possibility of extending our route.
“While stopping in Oban is a short-term solution for a few weekends in February it will give us the chance to test the appetite locally.”
The business breakfast has been organised with support from Business Improvement District company Bid4Oban, and will take place on February 12 at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls.
Derek Connery, Bid4Oban manager, said: “There are obvious reasons why they are running the trial, it is down to line work being done, but I think the fact that the managing director is keen to come and talk to businesses in the town about potential opportunities bodes well for the sleeper becoming a full time addition.
“As well as bringing people to the town, it is a great way for people to be able to get to London without having to go to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
“People want to live in Argyll but one of the barriers is transport links.
I believe there has already been a high demand for tickets during the trial.”
Oban will replace Fort William as the final stop on the West Highland Line – which links London with the west coast of Scotland – on the weekends of February 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28.