The Strathspey Railway is a preserved steam railway running through the Cairngorms National Park.
The original line was built between Aviemore, Grantown on Spey and Forres. It provided a link between the line from Inverness and Aberdeen and the line from Inverness to Edinburgh. The line was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts.
In 1971, the Strathspey Railway Company, a group of enthusiasts, was formed to buy, restore and run services along a section of the closed line. With the support of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, they purchased five miles of track between Aviemore and Boat of Garten and began running service in 1978. They have now bought a further eleven miles to Granntown on Spey. This has been opened as far as Broomhill with the line currently being extended to Grantown.
The line is preserved as it might have appeared in the 1950s with the cream and red colours of the LMS used on station buildings. It is a gentle run following the valley of the River Spey through woodland and fertile farmland with distant views of the Cairngorms.
The Railway shares a station with Network Rail at Aviemore, with mainline trains using platforms 1 and 2 and the Strathspey Railway using platform 3.
Leaving Aviemore, the line passes the four road locomotive shed built in 1898 as well as the later carriage maintenance shed
Aviemore is soon left behind and the line runs through mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland.The gorse and broom were in full flower in early June.
There are limited views, although it is occasionally possible to get a glimpse of distant views of the Cairngorms.
Approaching Boat of Garten, there was a siding of ballast wagons
The line passes the brick signal box just before the station.
Boat of Garten is an attractive country station with a footbridge linking the two platforms. On one side are the original wood buildings dating from 1904 along with the stone built station masters house.
In the large yard next to the station is the railway crane.
At the far end is a wood signal box.
Beyond Boat of Garten the line passes an attractive small loch surrounded by mature trees.
The line now runs through attractive pastoral landscape with cows and sheep. 
Just before reaching Broomhill is the loading dock being used for construction of the line to Grantown on Spey.
Broomhill, is the current terminus and the station buildings have been rebuilt here.
The run round loop is beyond the platform with the line to continuing to Grantown seen beyond this.
The train I was on at the end of May had a steam loco at the front with a diesel loco at the back. After a long hot dry spell with lots of sunshine, there was a very high fire risk. The diesel is able to provide extra power so reducing the risk of sparks from the steam locomotive setting off track side fires.
website
The original line was built between Aviemore, Grantown on Spey and Forres. It provided a link between the line from Inverness and Aberdeen and the line from Inverness to Edinburgh. The line was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts.
In 1971, the Strathspey Railway Company, a group of enthusiasts, was formed to buy, restore and run services along a section of the closed line. With the support of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, they purchased five miles of track between Aviemore and Boat of Garten and began running service in 1978. They have now bought a further eleven miles to Granntown on Spey. This has been opened as far as Broomhill with the line currently being extended to Grantown.
The line is preserved as it might have appeared in the 1950s with the cream and red colours of the LMS used on station buildings. It is a gentle run following the valley of the River Spey through woodland and fertile farmland with distant views of the Cairngorms.
The Railway shares a station with Network Rail at Aviemore, with mainline trains using platforms 1 and 2 and the Strathspey Railway using platform 3.
Leaving Aviemore, the line passes the four road locomotive shed built in 1898 as well as the later carriage maintenance shed
Aviemore is soon left behind and the line runs through mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland.The gorse and broom were in full flower in early June.
There are limited views, although it is occasionally possible to get a glimpse of distant views of the Cairngorms.
Approaching Boat of Garten, there was a siding of ballast wagons
The line passes the brick signal box just before the station.
Boat of Garten is an attractive country station with a footbridge linking the two platforms. On one side are the original wood buildings dating from 1904 along with the stone built station masters house.
In the large yard next to the station is the railway crane.
At the far end is a wood signal box.
Beyond Boat of Garten the line passes an attractive small loch surrounded by mature trees.
The line now runs through attractive pastoral landscape with cows and sheep. 
Just before reaching Broomhill is the loading dock being used for construction of the line to Grantown on Spey.
Broomhill, is the current terminus and the station buildings have been rebuilt here.
The run round loop is beyond the platform with the line to continuing to Grantown seen beyond this.
The train I was on at the end of May had a steam loco at the front with a diesel loco at the back. After a long hot dry spell with lots of sunshine, there was a very high fire risk. The diesel is able to provide extra power so reducing the risk of sparks from the steam locomotive setting off track side fires.
website
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