Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership

15/10/2025

The Railway 200 Inspiration Train has arrived at Boat of Garten Station and we are looking forward to seeing the visitors tomorrow!

15/10/2025

The Railway 200 Inspiration train has just passed a sunny Kingussie on its way to Boat of Garten on the Strathspey Steam Railway! A busy two days ahead.

ScotRail London North Eastern Railway Caledonian Sleeper The Strathy Cairngorms National Park

11/10/2025

It is on its way!

It has been wonderful to see the Rail 200 Innovation train at Darlington Locomotive Works, staying with us for the last few days. It left site this lunch time and is heading for Glasgow.

11/10/2025

An interesting and exciting celebration of Railway200 at Boat of Garten next week. For two days the "Inspiration Train" is here, as part of its UK wide tour. Free entry, you just need to book tickets.

11/10/2025

And from the West Highland Line, a Railway 200 event.

08/10/2025

On 16 October at 11am, at Boat of Garten station on the Strathspey Railway, the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership will be presented with a prestigious Red Wheel as part of the Railway 200 celebrations. This honour recognises the entire Highland Main Line (of which the Strathspey Railway was historically a part) as a site of exceptional transport heritage.

The Transport Heritage programme celebrates Britain's rich and globally significant contribution to the development of transport. The most important of these historic locations are marked by a National Transport Trust Heritage Plaque, known as a “Red Wheel.”

Following the presentation, the HML plaque will be installed at Aviemore Station, now the principal resort of the Highlands, which grew from its origins as a key junction on the Highland Main Line.

Aviemore & Spey Valley Community Issues Forum
Cairngorms National Park
The Strathy

08/10/2025

Railway 200 exhibition train “Inspiration” at Boat of Garten Station on 16th & 17th October. Explore fascinating interactive displays on board. Free tickets must be booked in advance online at http://railway200.co.uk

08/10/2025

03/10/2025

UPDATE 13:35

From 18:00 tonight (Fri, 3 October) the following routes will close with no replacement transport available…

⛔Glasgow Queen Street – Oban / Fort William / Mallaig

⛔Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh / Wick / Thurso / Aberdeen

⛔Perth – Inverness

Tickets for travel dated 3 October are also valid for Sat, 4 and Sun, 5 October.

On all other routes, speed restrictions will be in place from 18:00 tonight, extending journey times.

Disruption may extend into Saturday and possibly Sunday as Network Rail will need to check for obstructions on the line and for any infrastructure damage.

🔎 Check before you travel using our app or website.

03/10/2025

Scotrail are issuing a special Family Pass for 2 adults and up to 4 children for 7 consecutive travel days for £50 for the October school holidays. Available at Ticket Offices or on the train. Start your travelling on any day between the 13th and 20th of October.
You can see the autumn colours from the train.

Cairngorms National Park

02/10/2025

Scottish Parliament debate today. Watch live or on replay: Members' Business — S6M-18953 Ariane Burgess: Investing in Rail to Unlock the Wealth and Economic Potential of the Highlands

“That the Parliament believes that the Highland Main Line is a crucial transport link supporting tourism, freight transport and many vibrant communities; understands with concern that, despite this, two thirds of the 118-mile line, which it considers to be a critical route, remains single track and diesel operated, resulting in journey times that are reportedly similar to those from the Victorian era; believes that this results in frequent delays and causes limited capacity for passengers and freight; notes what it sees as the economic opportunities that can be offered by expanding and improving the nation’s rail network, including connecting communities and boosting sustainable freight capacity to support major industries, such as the whisky and forestry sectors in the Highlands; considers that the work of the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership has been fantastic in improving the rail network by finding uses for redundant buildings and supporting passenger services; acknowledges the work of Network Rail in exploring additional passing loops, and notes the view that the line should be electrified and dualled to develop more reliable and environmentally sustainable rail transport for communities in the Highlands and neighbouring regions, as well as inter-city commuters and tourists visiting the north of mainland Scotland.”

A Bill is a proposed Act of the Scottish Parliament. A Bill that is introduced in the Scottish Parliament is scrutinised and debated by MSPs.

01/10/2025

This is great news and opens up more journey opportunities to/from Highland towns.

Well done Caledonian Sleeper!