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Scotland
Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway is a historic railway in Bo'ness, Scotland. It is operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) and operates a total of over 8 km of track (between Bo'ness and Manuel Junction, via Kinneil and Birkhill), virtually the entire Slamannan and Borrowstounness Railway, which was part of the former North British Railway on the Firth of Forth.
Bo'ness railway station is at the heart of the planned Scottish Railway Museum.
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Keith & Dufftown Railway
Hidden away in the hills of the old Scottish County of Banffshire is a new tourist attraction. A warm welcome awaits visitors on the Keith & Dufftown Railway, who invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy a trip on Scotland's most northerly heritage railway. Re-live the days of the country branch line as you enjoy a round trip of 22 miles between the old market town of Keith and the malt whisky capital, Dufftown. Explore an area where climate and geology are so compatible for the distilling of malt whisky that over half of Scotland's distilleries are here. Enjoy the ever changing colours and spectacular views as the train runs beside tumbling peat tinted rivers, through rich farmland, past dark green forests, under the battlements of Balvenie and Drummuir Castles and alongside the placid Loch Park. There is so much to see and enjoy at anytime of the year, including the abundant wildlife, that you will want to come back again and again.
The railway opened in 2001 and all train services are presently provided by quiet, comfortable Diesel Multiple Units dating from the 1960's. Operated entirely by volunteers, who are delighted to welcome visitors and do their utmost to ensure an enjoyable and memorable visit. Visit the "Buffer Stop" static restaurant car located at Dufftown Station and enjoy traditional food at reasonable prices, all freshly prepared using many local products from around the Speyside area. The menu will always contain a choice of dishes or snacks, which are prepared with gluten free ingredients. The restaurant car is fully licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine or a dram with your lunch.
Public services run every weekend from Easter to the end of September and also on Fridays in June, July and August. Group bookings and coach parties are welcome and charter trains are available on days no public service is running. Special arrangements are made during the Spring and Autumn Whisky Festivals.
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Strathspey Railway
The Strathspey Railway operates from platform 3 of Network Rail's Aviemore railway station. Until 1998 the railway's southern terminus was Aviemore Speyside about 300 yards further north. Aviemore Speyside is no longer in regular use, although its platform has been retained as a fallback in case of problems with access to the Network Rail station.
From Aviemore, the line passes the four road locomotive shed which was constructed by the Highland Railway in 1898. In British Railways days the shed was allocated the shed code '60B'. These days the engines that are in traffic on the Strathspey Railway still bear the 60B shedplate on their smokebox. There is also a carriage maintenance shed which was erected and opened for use in 2005; this shed allows the railway's volunteers and staff to work on its fleet of coaches indoors. On the opposite side of the line is a three road carriage storage shed erected and opened in 2011; this allows the coaches to be stored under cover and protected from the weather.
The former engine crew hostel, called Spey Lodge, stands just to the north. It was saved by the Strathspey Railway Company during the 1970s and gradually the facilities have been upgraded by volunteers. Spey Lodge now fulfils its original role again, providing hostel accommodation for engine crews and other volunteers working on the railway.
After Spey Lodge, the railway passes the site of the new Aviemore Hospital then crosses Dalfaber level crossing, an Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored (AOCL). This level crossing was not originally part of the railway, but was installed after the development of the Dalfaber Estate in the 1980s. After crossing the road and passing the adjacent Cairngorm Brewery the line climbs through Granish Moor. This heather moor affords views of Cairngorm Mountain and the line runs parallel to the Speyside Way, a popular walking and cycling route. Once into the forest at the north end of the moor, the line descends past Boat of Garten golf course and into the village of Boat of Garten itself.
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Royal Deeside Railway
The original Deeside Railway was built between 1853 and 1866 and ran between Ballater and Aberdeen Ferryhill railway stations. The line was regularly used by the Royal Family and other important people visiting Balmoral. The line was gradually closed between 1966 and 1967.
In 1996 the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed to restore the section of the Deeside Railway that ran between Banchory and Milton of Crathes, the Society began restoration in 2003. From 2007 the society operated a one mile section of the line. The first passenger service with a steam locomotive operated in 2010. in 2020 the railway opened a new station at Birkenbaud Rest.
Following the construction of the platform at Milton of Crathes station, the station building was donated from the closed Oldmeldrum Railway and relocated to Milton of Crathes, where it serves as the headquarters of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society.
In 2020, the railway is in financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.
The railway owns an original British Rail BEMU locomotive which was converted from diesel to battery power and operated on the Deeside Railway between 1958 and 1966. It now requires a full electrical overhaul but is sometimes used as a passenger car, offering an alternative to the Mark 2 cars.
The railway will soon be expanded to include a new Riverside Halt station, allowing passengers to get off the train and walk the mile back to Milton of Crathes or continue on along the Deeside Way towards Banchory. This new station will form the end of the line, creating a passenger service between Milton of Crathes and Riverside Halt via Birkenbaud Crossing.
In 2020, it has been announced that the Group intends to extend the operational section to Banchory railway station using the former track bed that is currently part of the Deeside Way.
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Caledonian Railway (Brechin)
The Caledonian Railway is a four mile preserved line in Angus, Scotland
The line runs from the City of Brechin to Bridge of Dun Station, 4 miles from the town of Montose.
Brechin Station is an unique example of a Victorian railway terminus with its original character and features well preserved. The earliest part of the station was built in 1848, with the later part being completed in 1896. Passenger trains continued to stop at Brechin until 1952 and goods trains until 1981. Since 1979, when enthusiasts got together to save the line, volunteer effort alone has maintained and operated the railway.
The station at Bridge of Dun, on the old Strathmore line, was a regular stopping point for the Royal Train on its way to Ballater. Today, there is free parking, toilet facilities and a ticket office plus the chance to inspect the Caledonian Railway rolling stock in operation and under restoration. From Bridge of Dun there are many fine walks around the lovely countryside beside Montroe Basin, famous for its wildlife. Also nearby is the House of Dun, a classic Georgian national Trust for Scotland house.
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Visit us
Address
Caledonian Railway, The Station,
Park Road,
Brechin,
Angus,
DD9 7AF.
Contact
Fife Heritage Railway
The Fife Heritage Railway is a standard gauge railway located in the old Kirkland sidings, Leven, Fife. Formed after the dissolution of Lochty Private Railway, the aims of the railway are to restore rolling stock and railway items of importance from the local area. Running parallel to the disused Leven line there is ¾mile of track which passengers can take a journey on, the round trip taking 10/15 minutes. On site is a small toy and memorabilia shop and a canteen serving refreshments.
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DOON VALLEY RAILWAY
The Doon Valley Railway is run by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group, which was formed in 1974 to preserve steam in Ayrshire.
The Doon Valley Railway is a "living museum" where unique and historically important industrial steam and engine locomotives are restored and where it is possible to see their operation in an authentic environment.
The aim is to preserve and operate these small and versatile industrial steam and diesel locomotives - known to generations of Scots as 'Pugs' - in an environment similar to that in which they spent their working lives.
Visitors can view a collection of steam and diesel locomotives (including a unique working 'Fireless' locomotive built by local firm Andrew Barclay & Sons Ltd of Kilmarnock) which have strong links to Scotland's industrial past.
The passenger train uses car DM 45020, which was built as an engineering inspection saloon for the LMS in 1944 on scheme 2046, lot 1356, ostensibly for the inspection and reporting of bomb damaged sites during the Second World War.
The railway was formerly known as the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre
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Lathalmond Railway Museum
Dunfermline and West Fife's very own Heritage Railway project, Lathalmond Railway Museum is located to the north of Dunfermline, on a shared site with the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. With 2 operational railway lines operating frequently.
Shed47 Railway Restoration Group started the project in 1997, housed in the original WWII Royal Navy loco shed. Over the past 25 years, we have been rebuilding a small section of the once vast railway system in the former RNSD Lathalmond site. Visit and find out all about Dunfermline & West Fife's rich railway heritage.
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