NB5025
Member
The main 2026 season for the Strathspey is underway. There have been a couple of changes from 2025:
- Running days. Last year it was Monday and sometimes Tuesday that the train didn't run. This year it seems to be Fridays and sometimes Thursdays, depending on the month and demand. Overall though, its running most days of the week throughout the season.
- Catering has changed from light lunch on the mid day train and afternoon tea on the afternoon service, to afternoon tea for both lunch and afternoon. Last year, both were available as an option later in the season for lunchtime. Afternoon tea must have been more popular, although I personally preferred light lunch and wouldn't be rushing for afternoon tea again (it was great, just too sweet for my taste).
Otherwise it looks like a similar season.
Locos are again the two Ivatts - 512 and 464, and the Black Five, 5025. Three mainline steam locos available is very impressive. There is also 828, on hire to the Spa Valley Railway again this year, but it would be fair to say there are four mainline operational steam locos from the Strathspey.
In terms of rolling stock this year's train is a similar formation with a selection of TSOs, a restaurant / buffet, a BKS acting as first class with the possibility to book a private compartment, a dedicated disabled access TSO, and the Gresley Coronation oberservation carriage. Plus the LMS inspection saloon on most trains, available as two private compartments, with catering.
- Running days. Last year it was Monday and sometimes Tuesday that the train didn't run. This year it seems to be Fridays and sometimes Thursdays, depending on the month and demand. Overall though, its running most days of the week throughout the season.
- Catering has changed from light lunch on the mid day train and afternoon tea on the afternoon service, to afternoon tea for both lunch and afternoon. Last year, both were available as an option later in the season for lunchtime. Afternoon tea must have been more popular, although I personally preferred light lunch and wouldn't be rushing for afternoon tea again (it was great, just too sweet for my taste).
Otherwise it looks like a similar season.
Locos are again the two Ivatts - 512 and 464, and the Black Five, 5025. Three mainline steam locos available is very impressive. There is also 828, on hire to the Spa Valley Railway again this year, but it would be fair to say there are four mainline operational steam locos from the Strathspey.
In terms of rolling stock this year's train is a similar formation with a selection of TSOs, a restaurant / buffet, a BKS acting as first class with the possibility to book a private compartment, a dedicated disabled access TSO, and the Gresley Coronation oberservation carriage. Plus the LMS inspection saloon on most trains, available as two private compartments, with catering.
