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A black steam engine at Aviemore.
Cairngorms

Strathspey Railway

Heritage steam trains through the Spey Valley from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, running since 1978.

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Welcome

The Strathspey Railway runs heritage trains through the Spey Valley from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and on to Broomhill, on part of the old Highland Railway line.

It has been running since 1978 and describes itself as the most northerly steam-hauled preserved line in the British Isles.

Trains leave from Platform 3 at Aviemore station three times a day on running days, at 10.15, 12.45 and 3pm, and aim to be steam-hauled. The journey to Broomhill takes just over fifty minutes, with a stop at Boat of Garten, and you can break your journey there, in a village the Speyside Way runs through, and come back on a later train. Afternoon Steam Tea is served on the 12.45 and 3pm trains, in standard or first class, and there are observation and saloon carriages to choose from. In 2026 Santa's Elf Express runs on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December.

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The Daily for 2 November, from Scotland with love. Cloud shadows cross a sunlit mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland stretching below
Close byThe Old Bridge InnA pub on the bank of the Spey in Aviemore, once a gamekeeper's cottage, with a log fire, seasonal cooking and dinner every evening.Under a mileSee itSunlight slanting across the tables and wooden chairs in the Old Bridge Inn's dining room.
Before you go

Trains run on selected days from March to early November, with the running days marked on the railway's calendar.

Where
Platform 3, Aviemore station, Dalfaber Road, Aviemore PH22 1PY.
Open
Standard trains run on selected days from March to early November, leaving Aviemore at 10.15, 12.45 and 3pm and returning from Broomhill at 11.21, 1.51 and 4.06. Santa's Elf Express runs on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December in 2026, and Mince Pie Specials between 27 December and 5 January.
Price
Standard return: adult £26, senior (60 and over) £24.50, child 5 to 15 £15, under 5 free, and a family ticket for two adults and two children aged 5 to 15 £58. Single fares are sold at stations on the day, £22 for an adult over the whole line. Afternoon Steam Tea in standard class is £50 an adult. Prices read 21 October 2026.
Booking
Online booking for standard travel closes at 9am on the day, and at 6am for catered services; remaining tickets can be bought at the Aviemore ticket office, open 9.45am to 3pm on running days. Afternoon Steam Tea must be booked in advance.
Parking
Free, in the car park behind Aviemore station on Dalfaber Road, PH22 1PY.
Getting there
Platform 3 is reached over the footbridge at Aviemore's main-line station, or from the car park behind the station across a level crossing. The return journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Access
Standard trains have an accessible carriage for two wheelchair users, booked online, and the older carriages are not wheelchair accessible. There is no step-free route to Platform 3 from the front of the station: use the car park behind it, where a long gradual ramp crosses the level crossing. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is on the Aviemore platform, and one carer travels free on standard travel.
Food
Tea, coffee and a bar are available on board, and Afternoon Steam Tea is served on the 12.45 and 3pm trains until 1 November 2026.

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Where it is

Platform 3 at Aviemore station, with the free car park behind it on Dalfaber Road.

Close byIn Aviemore.
  1. The Cairngorm BreweryThe Cairngorm BreweryAviemore's own brewery since 2001, home of Black Gold, Wildcat and Trade Winds, with a shop and a Tap Room by the tanks.1 mile 5 min by road
  2. A climber crossing between platforms among autumn trees.TreeZone AviemoreA treetop course in the Rothiemurchus pines by Aviemore: rope bridges, tightropes and a hundred-metre zip line, fifteen metres up.1 mile 4 min by road
  3. RothiemurchusRothiemurchusA Highland estate of ancient pinewood, lochs and hill by Aviemore, cared for by the Grant family since the 16th century.1 mile 4 min by road
  4. The Barn at RothiemurchusThe Barn at RothiemurchusThe café at the Rothiemurchus Centre by Aviemore, with a wood-burning stove, Cullen skink and cheese scones, and a corner for dogs.1 mile 4 min by road
  5. Two Japanese macaques huddled in the snow.The Highland Wildlife ParkThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's park at Kincraig, with Scotland's only polar bears, snow leopards, wolves and a drive-through reserve.8 miles 13 min by road
Directions
Sunlight slanting across the tables and wooden chairs in the Old Bridge Inn's dining room.BarsThe Old Bridge Inn0.3 miles
The dining room at Delaneys', with dark tables laid by tall windows on Grampian Road.RestaurantsDelaneys'0.4 miles
Floured hands shaping dough on a dark, flour-dusted worktopRestaurantsLa Taverna0.5 miles
A handler in tweed raising a gloved hand as a golden eagle lands beside him, CairngormsShoppingRothiemurchus Farm Shop1.3 miles
Fruit scones fresh from the oven.CafeRoute 7 Café1.3 miles
AttractionsPlay golf in the Cairngorms1.4 miles
Falconer in a field flying a bird of prey towards his gloved handAttractionsRothiemurchus Falconry1.4 miles
The Cairngorm Café at the foot of the mountain.CafeCairngorm Café1.7 miles
Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel entrance lit up at dusk, surrounded by pine treesActivityThe Fun House at the Coylumbridge Hotel1.9 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the railway, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of Park Cottage in the snow, its windows lit, forest and a white hill behind.Park Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Kincraig
  • 5 miles from the Strathspey Railway
Free 2–4 NovTimber-clad lodge with balcony overlooking a loch, framed by bare branchesStrathspey Lodge
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Carrbridge
  • 8 miles from the Strathspey Railway
Check datesEast Dell in spring sunshine, a low stone cottage with a red door and a mossy roof beside its garden and an old oak.East Dell
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Strathspey Railway
Check datesA wooden gate in a picket fence opens onto Little Dell's green garden, with cow parsley and a wooden bench beyond.Little Dell
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Strathspey Railway
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the CairngormsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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