Transport bosses at the Scottish Government have said they will review a report into the feasibility of a Far North sleeper train.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that north transport partnership Hitrans is keen to create an overnight service which will run from Thurso, via Inverness and Aberdeen, to Edinburgh.
And while Transport Scotland says there are no current plans to offer sleeper trains to Caithness, they said they await the results of the study.
Hitrans say the service would tie in with northern isles ferry services and have commissioned an engineering consultancy firm to examine the feasibility of the idea.
Any final decision would rest with the Scottish Government.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We have seen Hitrans proposal and we understand Hitrans is currently preparing a detailed report on its viability, which we will review in due course.
“The Caledonian Sleeper has valuable operational experience and can offer advice.
“However, Caledonian Sleeper’s focus is on delivering its contract – the transformation of the Caledonian Sleeper service as set out by Scottish ministers to provide: new trains, and classes of passenger accommodation new to rail travel in the UK.
He added: “We currently have no plans to extend the franchise agreement to include Caithness to central belt services.”
Proposals for the scheme are being developed by Hitrans partnership manager Frank Roach who put a report before the agency’s board last month.
He revealed Hitrans has held early talks with Serco, the operator of the Caledonian Sleeper which provides current services to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Peter Strachan, managing director of the Caledonian Sleeper, said: “We look forward to seeing the outcome of Hitrans’ feasibility study into extending the Caledonian Sleeper service to Caithness, although any decision on this would be made by the Scottish Government.”
Mr Roach estimated that a Thurso to Edinburgh rail journey overnight would cover around 328 miles in 7hr 10min, including stops in Inverness and Aberdeen.
Another train would also run in the opposite direction.
