Strathspey Railway
The Strathspey Railway is a 10-mile standard-gauge heritage railway in the Scottish Highlands, running through the Cairngorms National Park between Aviemore, Boat of Garten, and Broomhill. The line is part of the former Highland Railway main line from Inverness to Perth via Forres, the longer western route superseded by the more direct Slochd line in 1898.
At Aviemore the heritage line shares the station with ScotRail services on the Highland Main Line from Edinburgh and Inverness, providing direct national-network interchange. The Strathspey Railway Company was formed in 1971 and the line reopened in 1978. Long-term plans include extension northwards to Grantown-on-Spey, the original terminus.
History
The Strathspey Railway Company was formed in 1971 with the aim of preserving part of the former Highland Railway line. The first preserved trains ran from Aviemore to Boat of Garten in 1978, with extension to Broomhill following in 2002. The company's long-term ambition is to reach Grantown-on-Spey, the original northern terminus of the surviving section.
Original line history
The line was the Highland Railway main line from Inverness to Perth via Forres and Aviemore, opened in stages from 1863. The more direct Slochd route (Inverness–Aviemore directly) opened in 1898 and the Forres route was thereafter secondary, although it remained an important freight and military line until closure in 1965.
Stations and infrastructure
Aviemore is the southern terminus, sharing the building with ScotRail. Boat of Garten is the headquarters and locomotive depot, the original Highland Railway station building, beautifully preserved. Broomhill is the current northern terminus.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The line has been used as a film location (notably Monarch of the Glen, where Boat of Garten represented "Glenbogle"). Regular events include steam galas, dining trains, 1940s weekends, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Aviemore is on the ScotRail Highland Main Line from Edinburgh / Glasgow to Inverness, with cross-platform interchange to the heritage railway.