Strathspey Railway Outing

Rotary Club of Stirling

Strathspey Railway Trip

14^th July 2014

Earlier this year I met a long standing friend who had recently retired to Nethy Bridge.  To keep himself occupied he had become a volunteer Station Master on the Strathspey Railway.  Upon enquiry he assured me that it was possible to visit their Engine Sheds at Aviemore.  It seemed to me like a good ploy for a visit by a few keen Rotarians.

On 14^th July 2014 twenty-one(!) members and relatives assembled at the appointed time to travel to by train to Aviemore in order to take a ride on the Strathspey Railway on a steam powered train and to visit their sheds at Aviemore.  The weather was fair and the scenery on the way was as expected magnificent.

At Aviemore we had an hour to wait for the Steam Train so our kindly leader allowed the party to go and explore Aviemore until the train was due.  The arrival of the steam train was of course taken as a photo opportunity before we took our places in the first class dining car.  Lunch was served as the train pulled out and started its sedate journey to Broom Hill through the delightful scenery of the Spey valley.  Some of the party were so moved they had to settle their excitement by partaking of a glass or two of the fine wines available on the train!

At Broom Hill we were allowed out of the train for a few minutes, my friends Roderick and Emma came to greet us, but all too soon we were summoned back aboard by the tooting of the engine