Not Ski-ing in The Cairngorms.

 On the same theme, but a slightly different Railway. In 2016 we were off on one of our road trips. We started at Goathland aka 'Hogsmeade Station'. More about Harry Potter in another blog. It was then on to Northumberland, Stirling and then breaking out even further north towards Inverness.

It's not a huge distance from Stirling to Inverness, so this presented an opportunity to stop at Aviemore and have a detailed look at The Strathspey Railway. We got a bit excited to see smoke and steam and thought how nice that would be, to be thwarted at the ticket office. The Steam train was a group special, would we like to go on the DMU? Oh yes please, very clean with not many fellow travellers, any seat you like with spectacular views.

Not being backward in coming forward, I said where I volunteered and was immediately invited onto the footplate by the friendly crew. As mentioned this train was a private show, but they didn't get on the footplate like I did.

For the technical minded  46512 is an LMS Ivatt class 2  2-6-0 , she was built at Swindon

The Train departed North, we did not have to wait long for our DMU to arrive.

Although it was a bit cloudy, the distant views were truly wonderful.

Looks a bit familiar.

For all you volunteers reading this, I added a few photos of their surrounding works and buildings, but I am sure they are of interest to everyone.

Oooh a working turntable!

Carriage and Wagon Scotland style.

Looks like they have the same Tin Worm as we have!

This is the north terminus at Boat of Garten.

Looks like a bit of a challenge, bit of paint it will be as good as new, piece of cake! (It's a unique North British Railway 1905 all third with lavatory, if you're a vintage coach fanatic like me! - Ed.)

The very impressive Carriage Shed.

And Loco Shed.

Back to the ride, looking south at Boat of Garten.

Mind your head!

Now that is a long way to travel !

I wonder if there is a TV programme there, just waiting to happen!

With spectacular views .....

...... On all sides.

We had a wonderful time there. 

Let's hope we can all very soon get back to what we do best.