Strathspey Railway > Aviemore - Boat of Garten - Broomhill

Festive Services card

FESTIVE SERVICES
Caledonian Locomotive 828 headed train arriving at Boat of Garten station

TICKETS
Gift Vouchers Offer

GIFT VOUCHERS
exterior of coronation observation carriage

OBSERVATION CARS
first class afternoon tea aboard a heritage train at the Strathspey railway

AFTERNOON TEA
First class light lunch onboard a heritage train at the Strathspey railway

LIGHT LUNCH
Accessible Carriage - Details and photographs to follow

ACCESSIBLE CARRIAGE

Railways to Grantown Logo

RAILS TO GRANTOWN
forthcoming events at the Strathspey Railway including the visit of the world famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman

EVENTS
aviemore station map image

GETTING HERE
sra shield image link to website

STRATHSPEY RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
donate today to keep steam alive in the Scottish Highlands

DONATE

Strathspey Railway Association - 2023 Raffle Results

This years SRA Raffle raised the amazing total of over £24,000 to fund the continued restoration of the very popular LMS Engineers' Saloon no. 45021. Thank you to eveyone who sold and purchased raffle tickets to aid this very worthwhile project on the Strathspey Railway. A very big thank you to Linda, John & Brian, the core Raffle team at the railway, who incredibly managed a five times increase in the number of tickets sold over the previous year. This was in no small part due to John who managed to sell over 21,000 raffle tickets. John and Linda were jointly presented with the Volunteer of the Year award at the recent SRA annual general meeting.

The Ticket numbers drawn out of the raffle box were

  • 1st 16114
    •
  • 2nd 18375
    •
  • 3rd 34044
  • 4th 20941
    •
  • 5th x 4 00079,27463,07910,16225
  • 1st class afternoon tea for 4 14703
    •
  • Standard class afternoon tea for 4 34092
    •

 

Officers' Saloon awaiting passengers at Aviemore station
Raffle team at the 2023 AGM
Afternoon Tea in Officers' Saloon
Link to SRA Website

Train Services

Light Lunch

Travelling alongside the famous River Spey, our Light Lunch service consists of a lovely selection of sandwiches prepared to order and a warm bowl of soup, freshly prepared on board by our catering chef. There will be a choice of 2 soups every day, accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee.

Light Lunch is served on our 12:45 departure from Aviemore and will be available on all days we are operating our service from late March to the end of October (excluding special event dates - see special event pages for catering details).

light lunch soup de jour
Passengers enjoying light lunch in a first class compartment
Light lunch train

Booking Options

Light Lunch is served aboard our heritage coaches, restored to the highest standards. We offer a choice of Standard, First Class or our Director's or Chairman's Saloon.

Standard seating is at tables of four, you will be seated at a table dedicated to your group, if you are in a larger group we will ensure you are all seated together.

First Class seating is in a private compartment and seats a maximum of four customers (including children).

Our Director's and Chairman's Saloon offer private compartments seating a maximum of six customers (including children). Both offer superior views of the journey, with the Chairman's Saloon offering a fully panoramic view.

Tickets and Fares

Standard Class Light Lunch costs £29.50 per adult, £15.25 for children aged between 5 and 15 and £3.40 for children under 5 (under 5s not eating may travel free).

Upgrade to First Class for £28.00.

For our Director's Saloon the upgrade costs £50.00, the Chairman's Saloon upgrade costs £75.00.

Upgrades are for your whole party, not per-person. First Class seats a maximum of four, the saloon upgrades each seat a maximum of six.

Travelling with Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in our dining vehicles, whether Standard, First Class or our Saloon options.

Assistance dogs are always welcome, please note whether you are travelling with an assistance dog when making your booking.

Your Journey

Advance booking for Light Lunch is essential!

On the day of your journey please aim to arrive at Aviemore Station, Platform 3, between 12:15 and 12:35 to allow time to collect your tickets and board the train. Tickets may not be available for collection earlier than 12:15.

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Afternoon Tea

Our Afternoon Tea service is unique in the Highlands, as you travel through the beautiful Scottish countryside while relaxing with a fine selection of sandwiches prepared to order, mouth watering cakes from a local speciality baker, scones (baked on board with local jam and cream) together with a choice of speciality teas, or coffee if you prefer.

Afternoon Tea is served on our 15:00 departure from Aviemore and will be available on all days we are operating our service from late March to the end of October (excluding special event dates - see special event pages for catering details).

cakes on a plate
Passengers enjoying Afternon Tea in a first class compartment
Afternoon Tea train

Booking Options

Afternoon Tea is served aboard our heritage coaches, restored to the highest standards. We offer a choice of Standard, First Class or our Director's or Chairman's Saloon.

Standard seating is at tables of four, you will be seated at a table dedicated to your group, if you are in a larger group we will ensure you are all seated together.

First Class seating is in a private compartment and seats a maximum of four customers (including children).

Our Director's and Chairman's Saloon offer private compartments seating a maximum of six customers (including children). Both offer superior views of the journey, with the Chairman's Saloon offering a fully panoramic view.

Tickets and Fares

Standard Class Afternoon Tea costs £39.50 per adult, £20.75 for children aged between 5 and 15 and £3.40 for children under 5 (under 5s not eating may travel free).

Upgrade to First Class for £28.00.

For our Director's Saloon the upgrade costs £50.00, the Chairman's Saloon upgrade costs £75.00.

Upgrades are for your whole party, not per-person. First Class seats a maximum of four, the saloon upgrades each seat a maximum of six.

Travelling with Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in our dining vehicles, whether Standard, First Class or our Saloon options.

Assistance dogs are always welcome, please note whether you are travelling with an assistance dog when making your booking.

Your Journey

Advance booking for Afternoon Tea is essential!

On the day of your journey please aim to arrive at Aviemore Station, Platform 3, between 14:30 and 14:50 to allow time to collect your tickets and board the train. Tickets may not be available for collection earlier than 14:30.

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Observation Carriages

Coronation Observation Carriage

Returning to Highland rails, sixty years after it last travelled on both the Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig lines, the Coronation Observation carriage is now providing passengers with panoramic views of the Spey valley and the Cairngorm Mountains.

The Coronation was a streamlined express passenger train service run by the London and North Eastern Railway between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. Named to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, this service operated between 1937 and the outbreak of war in 1939, when the train's carriages were put into storage. The observation carriages from the Coronation train were transferred to the West Highland line in 1956 where they remained in service until the 1960s.

Coronation Observation Carriage back in service in the Scottish Highland
Coronation Observation Carriage interior view
Coronation Observation Carriage at Boat of Garten station

Recently restored to its original 1937 Art Deco interior, this streamlined carriage, often referred to as the Beavertail on the railway because of its distinctive 'beaver tail' shape, has armchair seating for twenty two, together with attended service.

The price of the Coronation Service includes tea and coffee.

The Coronation Observation Carriage will not be in use during the Festive Services.

Accessible Carriage

Newly arrived at the railway, this specially adapted carriage is currently being prepared for inclusion in the railways' daily train service.

This section will be updated when this carriage enters service with the railway. An announcement will also be made on the railways' Facebook page.

Interior of Accessible carriage
Interior of Accessible carriage
Interior of Accessible carriage

Events at the Strathspey Railway

Festive Services on the Strathspey Railway

This year our Festive Services will be held on Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of December. There will be no further services in 2023 after the 22nd of December.

Enjoy festive family fun as you travel by heritage steam train through the stunning (and hopefully snowy) Cairngorms winter landscape. All children will have the chance to meet Santa at Aviemore Station, however this year there will be no presents.

Mince Pies 11am and 2pm

Ticket price includes travel, a cup of mulled wine and a mince pie (adults aged 16 and 17 will be offered a soft drink alternative). Child ticket price is a soft drink and a festive treat.

Afternoon Tea 2pm Only

Ticket price includes travel, and a festive themed Afternoon Tea with mulled wine (optional). First class option also available.

Dogs are not permitted in the dining areas.  Travel only tickets can be purchased if you wish to travel with your dog.

First class Mince Pie options are also available, but only on the morning train.

Santa waving to girl in the carriage
Festive Mince Pies
Santa on the platform ringing a bell
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Getting Here

Getting to our railway stations

Detailed access routes to stations (map opens in new window)

Speyside Way and Walks in Strathspey (map opens in new window)

Accessibility

Accessibility Statement

The Strathspey Railway provides one third discount off the standard 2nd Class standard travel ticket for the Less Able passenger and, if applicable, one Carer may travel free of charge on providing appropriate documentation. If you are booking your tickets online, please call our Office on 01479 810725 so as we can assist you with booking and payment. The one third discount arrangements for a Less Able visitor, with their Carer applies to First Class travel but the standard £25 charge will be payable for a First Class upgrade. The one third off discount for a Less Able passenger and their Carer does not apply to Dining, Special Events and Packages Tours and Experiences. If a Less Able visitor is confined to travel in our Guard’s van, they and their Carer may both travel free of charge If they have booked catering options the return travel will be deducted from the full price.

For detailed information about our facilities, please refer to our Access statement. The Access Statement refers to our daily service trains, and provides detailed information for visitors departing our Aviemore station. For Accessibility related information regarding our Dining or Diesel multiple units trains, or if you have any specific questions regarding Accessibility at our Boat of Garten or Broomhill stations, please phone our Office on 01472 810 725.

The Strathspey Railway Platform 3 can be accessed by foot on crossing the footbridge located at the mainline station in Aviemore. Getting there by car: From Grampian Road which is where Aviemore main street is located, go to the very south of the village passing the train station and the petrol station on the left, and passing Happy Haggis on the right. You will reach La Taverna restaurant where a roundabout is located. Take the left exit signposted Cairngorm Mountain and then take the next immediate left which will take you to Dalfaber road running parallel to the river Spey. You will first pass a holiday house estate, then Aviemore Bunkhouse and The Old Bridge Inn on your left before the road forks into two, steeply going up towards The Strathspey Railway car park and train station. Parking: Grit car park. Two clearly signed Accessible Car Park spaces available in our car park. Access: For access to The Strathspey Railway Platform 3 from the car park, a level crossing via a long gradual ramp is provided. Level entrance to ticket office: Level entrance to Ticket Office Available. Wheelchair accessible toilet. Yes – a wheelchair accessible toilet is available on platform.

Please telephone in advance and notify station staff on your arrival for our daily services. Our vintage carriages, with both Country Class and First Class seating areas, having been built in the mid-1900s, are regrettably not accessible for wheelchair users. If less able visitors can take a few steps to our First Class and Country Class seating areas, station staff and guards will be readily available to offer assistance to anyone that requires it. Wheelchair accommodation on board is limited to our Guard’s Van. This is in a smaller area of the main carriage set where wheelchair users can remain in wheelchairs throughout the trip along our line (Space is limited to a maximum of two wheelchair users), with a very limited number of seats available for family, friends and carers. Station staff and guard staff will be available to assist any visitors who may be restricted to travelling in the Guard’s Van. Unfortunately, we have no disabled access to toilets on board our heritage carriages. We regret that our Fine Dining carriages are not currently wheelchair accessible. Please note these facilities will be being upgraded for future visitors. Coffees, teas and bar facilities available on board and served at your table.

From Boat of Garten LOCATION: At railway station in centre of village PARKING: On tarmac beside Boat Hotel , adjacent to platform. Accessible parking available. ACCESS: Level entry access. Regrettably, no wheelchair accessible toilets. From Broomhill At station off minor road to Nethybridge from A95. PARKING: On Roadway at station ACCESS: Level to platform at side of building. TOILETS: Ladies and Gents toilets available. Accessible toilet available.

FAQ

No. Please take note of your confirmation number, but you must also bring along your confirmation email to our ticket office on your booked date of travel. We will exchange this for your travel tickets.

Please ring the office on 01479 810725 or email enquiries@strathspeyrailway.co.uk and we can check your booking and resend your confirmation.

Confirmation emails do not need to be printed just, just a name and the last 4 digits of the booking is required to be given.

Ticket office hours:

  • 0945 – 1500 on operational days only. Closed at other times.
  • Main office 7 days 0930-1630.

These times may vary

Please ring the office on 01479 810725 or email enquiries@strathspeyrailway.co.uk and we can make any changes for you.

We are happy to fully refund any bookings when the cancellation is made more than 7 days before the date of travel. Within 7 days, the full refund is discretionary. There is no admin fee for changes to bookings.

Yes, we have group rates for travel aboard our steam and vintage diesel services – please don’t hesitate to ring our office on 01479 810725 or email us to discuss. Unfortunately, we can’t offer discounts on group meal bookings.

  • All meals and special events must be prebooked at all times.
  • Bookings close at 6.30am on the morning of travel for Light Lunch, Afternoon Teas, the Coronation Observation Saloon and the Officers' Saloon.
  • Standard travel only can be purchased at ticket offices.

Santa Express tickets generally go on sale around September. Add us on Facebook (link available in footer) for the most up to date information and ticket announcements!

For a Senior ticket you should be 60 or over.

Yes, all passengers on the train must have a ticket no matter how old! Children under 5 travel free and as they have a seat to themselves, you can bring along a car seat to make your journey easier for your baby! Please highlight all Under 5 children travelling with you when booking.

Below is an outline of the groups entitled to discount travel on The Strathspey Railway:

  • Armed Forces (Defence Discount Service)
  • Blue Light Card
  • NHS Staff
  • The Scottish Police Recreation Association
  • ATOC (Train Operating Company Staff)
  • Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA)
  • HRA Members

Instructions and conditions of discounts for all groups have been issued to the companies. Please refer to your company for full details on the discount available to you.

Please note that any concessionary fares will not be applicable to special events, dining on board, or tours and packages ticket purchases.

We have four First Class Compartments aboard our 10.30 daily steam. Each compartment seats a maximum of six people. Stamdard Class tickets can be upgraded to First Class for this service but only at a station and is subject to availability

If the Station is not manned (which may happen on the rare occasion), please disembark at another Station and purchase your tickets there. You should also inform the Guard on board and they will see you at a later point in the journey and check your tickets then.

  • We welcome dogs aboard our services. For health & safety reasons they cannot sit in First Class or dining areas! The charge for 2023 is £3.00 per dog. Restrictions may apply.
  • Limited space is available on the train to carry bikes. The charge for 2023 is £4 per bike.
  • Sorry, we cannot accommodate bike trailers (toddler seats)

  • All dining options are return trips from Aviemore (only) back to Aviemore.
  • All online tickets are return trips, single trips can only be purchased from any station on the day of travel.

Video of the railways' 2023 services

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Strathspey Railway Promotional Video