Caledonian Railway (Brechin)
The Caledonian Railway is a 4-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in Angus, Scotland, running between Brechin and Bridge of Dun. The line uses the Caledonian Railway company name (revived from the pre-Grouping company that constructed it) and operates on the surviving end of the former Caledonian / LMS branch from Forfar via Brechin to Montrose.
The line was acquired by the Brechin Railway Preservation Society in 1979 and the first preserved trains ran in 1993. The line passes through the level Angus countryside and serves the historic House of Dun (National Trust for Scotland).
History
The Brechin Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1979, with the long-term aim of preserving the Brechin to Bridge of Dun section of the former Caledonian / LMS Forfar–Montrose line. After many years of trackbed acquisition and rolling-stock building, the first preserved trains ran in 1993. The Caledonian Railway company name was revived as a trading name to emphasise the line's heritage.
Original line history
The line was opened in 1848 by the Aberdeen Railway, becoming part of the Scottish North Eastern and then the Caledonian Railway. After Grouping it was LMS property. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1952 with freight surviving until 1981.
Stations and infrastructure
Brechin is the headquarters, in the original Caledonian station building. Bridge of Dun serves the National Trust for Scotland House of Dun.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Events include themed Scottish weekends, Caledonian gala days, 1940s weekends, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Brechin is signposted from the A90 Aberdeen–Dundee road. The nearest Network Rail station is Montrose (about 8 miles).