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News - Strathspey railway

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13/12/2023 Strathspey steam railway signalling a new era [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] General manager now being sought after turmoil. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey Steam Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
26/10/2023 Strathspey steam railway faces 'uncertain financial future' after walk-out and Flying Scotsman accident [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Bosses focussed on getting remaining services for the season on track and resolving the dispute. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
21/10/2023 Update: Strathspey Railway Company chiefs respond to allegations of bullying and harassment [Inverness Courier] Bosses deny claims but admit: 'It is clear there are issues which the board requires to address'. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Inverness Courier
20/10/2023 Flying Scotsman accident will hit heritage railway's finances hard [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] 'What should have been the best year ever for the Strathspey Railway family has turned into one of the worst'. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
20/10/2023 Flying Scotsman accident will hit heritage railway's finances hard [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] 'What should have been the best year ever for the Strathspey Railway family has turned into one of the worst'. (Permalink) Flying Scotsman Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
20/10/2023 Walk-out by staff and volunteers at Highlands heritage steam railway [Inverness Courier] Allegations of bullying and staff safety failings are amongst concerns levelled at railway's chiefs. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Inverness Courier
03/10/2023 Santa Express on hold after Flying Scotsman shunt [BBC News] Strathspey Railway has suspended the service following an accident at Aviemore Station on Friday. (Permalink) Santa Express Strathspey Railway BBC News
15/09/2023 Watch: The Flying Scotsman gracefully greets its fans in Aviemore backwards! [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Amusing start to the big day for hundreds at Strathspey Steam Railway event. (Permalink) Flying Scotsman Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
01/09/2023 Flying Scotsman coming to the Strathspey Railway's Steam Gala [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] From September 15, steam lovers have the chance to 'ride behind the record-breaker'. (Permalink) Flying Scotsman Steam Gala Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
02/07/2023 Strathspey Railway: 160 years since the iron horse first thundered through the Spey Valley [Press and Journal] Like all railways, the hard and dangerous work to establish the picturesque new Strathspey line alongside the tricky topography of the River Spey was undertaken by labouring navvies. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Aberlour: View of Aberlour from the front of an approaching Speyside-line DMU in 1964. An EE Type 1 waits in the station with a freight in the opposite direction. Brian Haslehust 25/06/1964 Craigellachie [2nd]: A Sulzer Type 2 diesel ready to leave Craigellachie with a Speyside line service for Aviemore on 12th August 1965. Brian Haslehust 12/08/1965 Grantown-on-Spey East: Boarding a northbound train at Grantown-on-Spey East in April 1961. (Old family photograph). Craig Seath Collection 15/04/1961 Press and Journal Strathspey Railway
17/04/2023 Apology from steam railway after yesterday's grass fire at Aviemore [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Tinder-dry vegetation beside line went on fire beside community hospital. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
16/04/2023 Firefighters douse grass fire beside steam railway line at Aviemore [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Four crews converge on site after alarm goes up. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
11/04/2023 Full steam ahead for Strathspey Railway Company's new additions in Aviemore [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Heritage railway gets permission to build a foundry and wheel lathe shed at historic site. (Permalink) Foundry Strathspey Railway Wheel lathe Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
03/04/2023 Strathspey steam travellers can catch the Beavertail special [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Gala customers at Aviemore will travel in style. 'We're excited to announce the return of the Beavertail observation saloon to the Highlands,' said a spokesman for the railway buffs. 'Having been lovingly restored, the Beavertail will be officially launched at our gala on Friday, April 7.' (Permalink) Beavertail Strathspey Railway Quorn and Woodhouse: 71000 Duke of Gloucester at Quorn on 10 October with the Gresley 'Beavertail' observation coach. Peter Todd 10/10/2010 Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
24/03/2023 Historic LNER Coronation express beaver tail observation car returns to Highlands after 55 years to run on Strathspey Railway [Scotsman] Rail passengers will be able to watch the Highland scenery go by from armchairs when an historic observation car returns to Scotland next month for the first time for 55 years, Scotland on Sunday has learned. (Permalink) Beaver tail Flying Scotsman LNER Coronation London and North Eastern Railway Nemesis Rail Strathspey Railway Scotsman
28/12/2022 John McIntyre [Railscot] The Railscot team are sad to advise that one of our regular and long standing contributors, John McIntyre, passed away on Boxing Day. Many will not have realised that John was ill throughout 2022 as his lineside contributions continued right up to December and he was still actively volunteering with the West Lancashire Light Railway and the Friends of Croston Station groups. Some of John's Railscot photos were taken when he was an active volunteer during the early days of the Strathspey Railway, others date from his time in the Army in Germany and he has continued to be interested in steam, modern rail operations and historic railway sites throughout his life. A full tribute will appear on Railscot in due course but in the meantime we offer our sincere condolences to John's wife Barbara and the wider family. (Permalink) Friends of Croston Station John McIntyre Strathspey Railway West Lancashire Light Railway Brock: Royal Scot class 4-6-0 no 46115 Scots Guardsman approaching the site of Brock station whilst working a railtour to Carlisle on 18 February 2017. John McIntyre 18/02/2017 Aviemore: 47674 with an engineers train north of Aviemore on 05 July 1991. John McIntyre 05/07/1991 Cardross: Glasgow Blue Train (AM3) unit 016 approaches Cardross LC with an eastbound service in May 1968. John McIntyre /05/1968 John McIntyre West Lancashire Light Railway Friends of Croston Station
03/09/2022 The Kyle Line: Scotland's underrated train journey [The Times] It's mid-morning when two friends and I board the two-carriage diesel train from Inverness, manoeuvring our luggage into the overhead racks before sitting down. (Permalink) Far North Line Kyle Line ScotRail Strathspey Railway West Highland Line Duncraig: An eastbound service arrives at Duncraig (just off to the right) in 2013. Ewan Crawford 26/04/2013 Achnasheen: Autumn sunshine illuminates First ScotRail 158708, seen here arriving at the westbound platform at Achnasheen in October 2009. The train is a morning service from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. John Furnevel 01/10/2009 Garve: 158708 on the level crossing over the A835 about to run into Garve station during a downpour on 1 October 2009. The train is the 1443 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness. John Furnevel 01/10/2009 The Times
15/07/2022 Active Outdoors: Traffic-free trail is perfect for families on the Speyside Way [Inverness Courier] A newly improved path makes this 10-mile linear route a great way to cycle with children on an abandoned railway line that has been reinvented. (Permalink) Speyside Way Strathspey Railway Bridge of Carron: This is the rail and road viaduct at Bridge of Carron, just east of Carron station seen in 2012. It now carries an unclassified road and the Speyside Way. Ewan Crawford 24/05/2012 Aberlour: Aberlour Station is now a tearoom run for the local community by volunteers during the summer.There is also an information office for the Speyside Way.The area round about has been landscaped into a p ... John Gray 27/07/2008 Ballindalloch Viaduct: Ballindalloch Girder Bridge on old Speyside Line now part of the Speyside Way. John Gray // Inverness Courier Speyside Way Strathspey Railway
16/05/2022 Back on track: Carmyllie Pilot locomotive set to pull trains again at Speyside Railway [Press and Journal] The Carmyllie Pilot has woken from her slumber for the first time in 43 years following a successful steam test. [Article requires subscription. -RS] (Permalink) Carmyllie Pilot Strathspey Railway Bridge of Dun: The Carmyllie Pilot, aka Ivatt 2-6-0 no 46464, awaiting restoration at Bridge of Dun in August 1992. The sign reads 'Brechin Caledonian Railway, donations gratefully received'. See image [[1907 ... John McIntyre 09/08/1992 Press and Journal
06/12/2021 Christmas Charity Cheer on ScotRails Santa Express [ScotRail] ScotRail's Santa Express services have raised almost 37,000 for charity after the initial journey from Edinburgh to the Highlands last Saturday (4 December). Hundreds of children and adults took the special train from Waverley to the Strathspey Railway in snowy Boat of Garten, the first of five Christmas specials in the lead up to the big day. They were greeted there by Santa, and some of his reindeer who had taken the chance to drop in to see their chums at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre before the busy Christmas season begins. (Permalink) Cairngorm Reindeer Centre Santa Express ScotRail Strathspey Railway Edinburgh Waverley: Santa Special to Boat of Garten. 0858 5-car Inter7City from Waverley. John Yellowlees 04/12/2021 ScotRail
01/10/2021 Santa's set for Strathspey! [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] ScotRail will get him up to Boat of Garten in December. (Permalink) Boat of Garten Railway Children Charity Santa Express ScotRail Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
30/09/2021 Video: Old friend goes for a run on the Strathspey Steam Railway line [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] HST125 returned into service on a trial run for tours. (Permalink) 43150 43163 HST InterCity 125 Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
28/09/2021 British steam train journeys and preserved lines: Full steam ahead for a vintage day on the tracks [Daily Mail] There are excursion trains and preserved lines you can ride today. Here are a few favourites, also including the 'Hogwarts Express' and the line made famous by The Railway Children. (Permalink) Dartmouth Steam Railway Glenfinnan Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Mallaig Extension Mid-Hants Railway Railway Touring Company Strathspey Railway Swanage Railway The Jacobite The Watercress Line West Coast Railways Boat of Garten: Caledonian Railway 812 Class 0-6-0 No.828 departs Boat of Garten for Aviemore on the Strathspey Railway on 14th July 2019. John Gray 14/07/2019 Keighley: RS&H 0-6-0T Nunlow in Platform 3 at Keighley station on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway on 3 May 2010 during their weekend celebrating 40 years since the film The Railway Children wa ... John McIntyre 03/05/2010 Arnabol Viaduct: 62005 crosses Arnabol Viaduct with The Jacobite on 1 October. This viaduct is not so well known as Loch nan Uamh about half a mile away. The picture would not have been possible a few years ago ... John Gray 01/10/2013 Daily Mail Book: Scotland From The Rails
19/09/2021 Donald Strachan: Death of train-loving Aberdeen, Moray and Uist priest aged 84 [Press and Journal] He was the son of a Highland railway engineer who grew up south of the border. Aberdeen and Orkney minister Donald Strachan was born on February 6, 1937. Grandson of an Edinburgh solicitor he arrived in the world while his mechanical engineer father, Philip, was based in North London working on the railway. Philip began his career in Lochgorm Works, Inverness, and married his Perthshire lass, Catherine. But in 1922 the London, Midland and Scottish railways grouped together so a move south for the Strachans followed. (Permalink) Aberdeen Corporation Tramway Donald Strachan Highland Railway Lochgorm Works Strathspey Railway Press and Journal
20/05/2021 Watch: Return of historic steam locomotive to Strathspey line after two decades [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] Oldest surviving Black Five first ran in 1934 and will soon be hauling carriages once again (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
26/04/2021 Speyside Way upgrade planned to improve access for cyclists [Press and Journal] Moray Council is preparing a £770,000 upgrade to the Speyside Way to encourage more cyclists to use the route to travel between communities. (Permalink) Moray Coast Line (Great North of Scotland Railway) Speyside Way Strathspey Railway Speymouth Viaduct: Spey Bay Viaduct looking west. The viaduct is part of the Speyside Way and is still in good condition, 14/10/05. John Gray 14/10/2005 Aberlour: Aberlour Station is now a tearoom run for the local community by volunteers during the summer.There is also an information office for the Speyside Way.The area round about has been landscaped into a p ... John Gray 27/07/2008 Ballindalloch Viaduct: Ballindalloch Girder Bridge on old Speyside Line now part of the Speyside Way. John Gray // Press and Journal
26/01/2021 Coronavirus: Historic Highlands railway receives 60,000 funding boost to help cope with impact of Covid [Press and Journal] A voluntary group which runs scenic steam engine trips through the Spey Valley has received a huge cash boost to help cope with the effects of the Covid crisis. (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Boat of Garten: Caledonian Railway 812 Class 0-6-0 No.828 departs Boat of Garten for Aviemore on the Strathspey Railway on 14th July 2019. John Gray 14/07/2019 Aviemore: There's a locomotive in there somewhere. Bill Roberton 23/09/2018 Broomhill: The Strathspey Railway's Santa Express, hauled by Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 No.828, runs towards Broomhill on 11th December 2017. Part of the snow covered Cairngorms can be seen in the background and, ... John Gray 11/12/2017 Press and Journal
28/08/2020 Time for couple to depart Cairngorms station [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] John and Kathleen Diffey took over the derelict railway station at Cromdale in 1994 and have transformed it back to its former glory. (Permalink) Cromdale Strathspey Railway Cromdale: View of Cromdale station from the south. 24 May 2012. John Furnevel 24/05/2012 Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
23/08/2020 Speyside stationmaster devoted all his working life to the railway [Strathspey and Badenoch Herald] New biography gives a unique insight into the life of a rural stationmaster (Permalink) Strathspey Railway Strathspey and Badenoch Herald Strathspey Railway
13/03/2020 Former Highland station on track for a new owner [Press and Journal] In its heyday, it played a crucial part in the norths thriving whisky trade, a cog in the transport network for a century. But any new owner of Cromdale Station shouldnt expect to see a train any time soon - it closed its doors in 1968. The former stop-off, on the Speyside Way and in the Cairngorms National Park, serviced the many distilleries which lie in the region. It had a reasonable sized goods yard for whisky traffic, with a private line to the local distillery at Balmenach. (Permalink) Cromdale Strathspey Railway Cromdale: Cromdale station nameboard. This station has been well restored by its owner and is one of the highlights of the Speyside Way. A five star attraction. You must seek the owners permission before lookin ... John Gray 03/08/2006 Cromdale: Closure notices on display at Cromdale station on 2nd November 1968. In these pre-vandalism days, the notice advising passenger closure three years earlier still survives! David Spaven 02/11/1968 Cromdale: View of Cromdale station from the south. 24 May 2012. John Furnevel 24/05/2012 Press and Journal Cromdale Station Cromdale
23/03/2012 Former Ballindalloch rail station sold [The Northern Scot] Moray councillors have agreed to accept an offer of over £97,000 for the former railway station at Ballindalloch. The property, which stands on the Speyside Way long distance footpath, was leased by the council as a backpackers' hostel until it closed recently because of a problem with the water supply. (Permalink) Ballindalloch Footpath Speyside Way Strathspey Railway Ballindalloch: Platform view at Ballindalloch in September 2004, looking south west towards Grantown-on-Spey. The old station, which closed to passengers in October 1965, is seen here in use as a hostel. John Furnevel 12/09/2004 Ballindalloch Viaduct: Ballindalloch Girder Bridge on old Speyside Line now part of the Speyside Way. John Gray // Ballindalloch: The extensive goods yard at Ballindalloch, as seen on 2 November 1968 - freight services between Aviemore and Aberlour had been withdrawn the previous day. David Spaven 02/11/1968 The Northern Scot