Dinner on the Strathspey Steam Railway

Grey Granite and her friend T recently enjoyed dinner on the Strathspey Steam Railway. They are both mature enough to remember 'real trains' with fondness and both have travelled on the line several times before but this was a memorable experience. 

The engine EV Cooper Engineer being prepared for the journey from Aviemore to Broomhill. The nostalgic journey took about 2.5 hours.

To avoid having to use a turntable, the engine ran backwards from Aviemore up to Broomhill where it made use of  a passing loop to run back to what was then the front of the train to be the 'right' way round for the return journey.

Interior of the dining car - stepping back in time to a more dignified era.
Throughout the journey an accordionist played unobtrusively at the far end of the carriage.  

We enjoyed  a four course dinner, accompanied by a bottle of Merlot,  there was a good choice of main courses and of desserts. We chose the Cairngorm platter followed by leek and potato soup, salmon accompanied by seasonal vegetables, T then  had apple pie and Grey Granite chocolate mouse. Dessert and coffee were served during the return journey from Broomhill. 

Evening sunlight catching the magnificent scenery. The train stops at certain points along the way, at this particular halt we were served our soup.

Boat of  Garten station, attractively decorated with colourful hanging baskets and planters.

 'Glenbogle' actually Broomhill, about 1.5 miles north of Nethy Bridge.

'For those that like that sort of thing that is the sort of thing they like.'

The engine, 'E V Cooper Engineer' getting up steam at Broomhill where there was a wait of 30 minutes for leg stretching.

'A moon rose over an open field'

Darkness was falling by the time we left Broomhill for the return journey to Aviemore.