An informative website covering steam railways across Scotland
The Caledonian Railway is an entirely volunteer run registered charity in Scotland, with funds being reinvested into the restoration and preservation of the railway. The Brechin Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1979 with the operating arm, Caledonian Railway Brechin Limited, being incorporated on the 16 December 1982. Caledonian Railway Brechin Limited has won several awards and built up a reputation as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Angus.
This website is supported by our friend of:
Caledonian Railway (Brechin) Ltd, The Station, Park Road, Brechin, DD9 7AF.
Brechin is located just off the A90 between Dundee and Aberdeen. It is approximately 25 miles north of Dundee and 40 miles south of Aberdeen, and has a small car park at Brechin Station for railway customers. The nearest mainline station is Montrose and there are bus services from Brechin Station.
During the nineteenth century, Brechin’s textile and whisky industries were thriving. The Brechin to Dun branch line was built in 1848 to transport these products. In 1885, the station was expanded to accommodate growing demand for passenger and freight trains.
The Aberdeen Railway Company were forced to sell the Brechin branch line to the Caledonian Railway Company in July 1894 due to financial issues and the line was reopened to goods train on January 7, 1895 with passenger services starting on June 1, 1895.
The Railways Act of 1921 forced individual railway companies in Britain to merge. Caledonian Railway was absorbed into the London, Midland, and Scottish (LMS) Railway in 1923, who operated the branch line until nationalisation of the railways in 1947, when it became part of British Railways (BR).
British Railways (from 1965 known as British Rail) continued to operate trains along the four mile branch line until increased competition from cars closed services to passengers in 1952. It remained open to freight traffic until 1981.
In 1979, a group of railway enthusiasts launched Caledonian Railway Brechin Limited, and successfully bid to save the branch line. In 1993, the group were awarded a light railway order, granting permission to run passenger services along the entire length of the line to Bridge of Dun.
A “Day Out With Thomas” is day for family fun that includes a train ride with Thomas plus Thomas & Friends™ themed entertainments including playing with trains; stamps, stickers and temporary tattoos. Visitors can also meet The Fat Controller. Thomas and Friends will be at Caledonian Railway on June 24th and 25th 2017; July 22nd and 23rd 2017; August 26th and 27th 2017.
Offering a traditional British meal from Brechin’s Ashvale Fish Restaurant, served on board a steam hauled train travelling through the Angus countryside. Your journey begins at Brechin Station with your supper served just before departure at 7pm. There’s also a train bar.
After a 25 minute journey, the train will arrive at Bridge of Dun where hot teas and coffees from Caledonian Railways own buffet carriage on Platform 3 will be served. Light snacks and other drinks will also be available for sale. The train will depart Bridge of Dun just after 8 o’clock with desserts being served before arriving at Brechin at approximately 8.45pm.
On your journey, you will be given the chance to interrogate the suspects and obtain clues as to their motives. Arriving at Bridge of Dun, a finger buffet with hot teas and coffees will be served, with light snacks and other drinks also available. Returning to Brechin station, you will be ushered from the station to the local church hall where the murderer will be revealed and the winner announced.
Caledonian Railway are planning a curry train evening event in 2018.
Highland Games take place across Scotland and are a unique mix of sports and culture. The field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions and 'heavy events' like the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber show you just how strong Scots and their communities are. Then there’s the Scottish game Shinty, believed to have originated from warriors training for battle...
Not all train journeys are as glamorous as travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express or the Orient Express. Speed, safety, and comfort are the more usual reasons for a long train journey for most. Here we offer some tips for the times when a long train journey becomes boring: read a book, play games on your mobile or download the latest bet365 mobile app and follow the game of your favourite sports team or player, chat with the...
