Caledonian Railway

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Caledonian Railway

Caledonian Railway Volunteer run steam & diesel trains along Brechin's historic branch line.
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Brief History - The original Caledonian Railway company was formed in the early 19th Century and was major Scottish railway company for nearly a century (1830's to 1923). Before the Caledonian Railway company was formed, Scotland and England's early railways were not connected. Before 1849, when the Caledonian Railway open its mainline, the quickest way to travel from Glasgow to London was to catch a train from Glasgow to Greenock, then travel between Greenock and Liverpool by ship and then from Liverpool to London by train. When the Caledonian mainline was opened in 1849 the journey time from Glasgow to London was slashed to only 12.5 hours. In 1923, the Caledonian Railway company was absorbed into the London, Midland and Scottish (LMS) Railway by the Railways Act of 1921. This Act was passed to reduce the losses being made by the 120 seperate railway companies operating in the country. After 1921, there were four large companies; LMS, GWR, LNER and SR. After the second world war, the battle scarred LMS along with the other 3 large railway companies were nationalised by the Transport Act of 1947 and became part of British Railways. British Railways (British Rail from 1965) operated the vast majority of rail transport in Great Britain from 1948 to 1997. During this period, the type of locomotive hauling trains gradually changed from steam to diesel. Steam hauled trains were eliminated in 1968 in favour of diesel and electric. During the 1960's, the "Beeching Cuts" or "Beeching Axe" was inforced to close 30% of all route miles and 55% of all stations with the objective of reducing the large amounts of debt built up by BR due to competition to move freight by road. This meant that the vast majority of small branch lines were to close. The Brechin to Montrose branch line was closed to passengers in the early 1950's but remained open to freight traffic until 1981 when it was preserved by Caledonian Railway (Brechin) Ltd. In the early days of preservation, shuttle trains operated from Brechin only to just outside the station limits. In 1993, the railway received a Light Railway Order (LRO) which allowed trains to operated the full four mile line to Bridge of Dun.

29/03/2020

One of our volunteers is spending their downtime digitising our archive of photographs of the railway during the early days of preservation.

Interested in finding out more? Follow the Brechin Railway Preservation Society to be kept up to date

We had hoped to be posting an update from our Sunday P-Way team today, however with the current travel restrictions, work on our current relay has been put on hold.

To make up for this, here are a few P-Way photos from the past. We believe all photos are from March 1987.

23/03/2020

Covid-19 Update

Following on from the post last week on the cancellation of our Easter Eggspress on 11th & 12th April, The Caledonian Railway would like to advise all volunteers, supporters and potential visitors that their health and well-being is at the forefront of our operations.

Based on Government advice, we are currently closed to minimise the risk to personnel as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

At present, we anticipate that this closure of the railway and The Whistle Stop will last for several more weeks. We are continually monitoring the situation, taking on board advice from the Government and other regulatory/advisory bodies. We will review this position again in the weeks to come and publish further updates then.

During this time, we ask that all visitors please stay away from the railway and practice social distancing in a bid to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Please continue to keep up-to-date with the railway during this time through our social media outlets. As part of the downtime, one of our volunteers has made a start digitising our archive of videos and photographs from days gone by. Interested in finding out more? Follow the Brechin Railway Preservation Society for updates over the coming weeks.

20/03/2020

The railway may be closed but The Whistle Stop is still open for business #supportlocal

19/03/2020

Steam and Diesel services running throughout the summer. See our website for more details and to book www.caledonianrailway.com

19/03/2020

Caledonian Railway

16/03/2020

In the interests of public health and the well-being of our volunteers, Caledonian Railway regret to inform our visitors that all Easter trains planned for 11th & 12th April have been cancelled due to the global outbreak of coronavirus.

Refunds for those who have already purchased tickets will be processed over the coming days.

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and following guidelines from the Government. At present, all other planned future services will go ahead as scheduled. Updates will be issued on our website and social media outlets if this situation changes.

09/03/2020

Well done to Wendy & Lorraine at the Whistle Stop!

Delighted to be a finalist at the food and drink awards 2020

06/03/2020

Have you ever wanted to drive a steam train? Or know someone who does? Then why not book a Steam Driver Experience this summer at the Caledonian Railway!

Experience the sights and smells of a steam train by spending the day with us learning the ropes and see behind the scenes with this rare glimpse into the life of a train driver.

We still have spaces for our courses this summer. Send us a PM or visit https://caledonianrailway.com/private-hire-experiences to find out more information and to book today!

06/03/2020

The Gin Bothy

We are super excited to announce that The Gin Bothy's gin tasting train will be back again for two dates this summer!

Tickets are on sale through our website. Book now as these events sell out fast! https://caledonianrailway.com/events/12

All aboard the sloe train! This Saturday we take to the rails for another gin tasting event in conjunction with Caledonian Railways.

This sell-out event is a very special experience. Guests travel through the Angus Countryside on board a heritage diesel hauled train whilst sampling a selection of our premium spirits.

Although these times are booked up, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about future dates! https://mailchi.mp/ginbothy.co.uk/subscribe

05/03/2020

Well behaved pooches are always welcome

Feeling hungry? You're spoilt for choice with dog-friendly places to go in Angus and Dundee! The Whistle Stop in Brechin at the Caledonian Railway offers a warm welcome and a choice of delicious home-baking, soups, sandwiches, quiche and hot rolls as well as breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning - a perfect start to a day of adventure!

#DogFriendlyAngusAndDundee #DogFriendly #VisitAngus #VisitScotland #CaledonianRailway #DogFriendlyCafe #Brechin #Cake

02/03/2020

Great work by our volunteers!

Permanent Way

Our Volunteers have been continuing with our latest track relay over the past few weeks, and today saw the first train running over it during a ballast drop. Work will continue levelling off the ballast and fettling the track ready for its first passenger services over Easter.

28/02/2020

You only have until midnight tomorrow to claim this offer!

SAVE 10% at the checkout when you use the discount code 'EASTER20'. Get your tickets now at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/2

19/02/2020

Great work by our volunteers!

Permanent Way

Our volunteer track gang have been working hard the last few Sundays on this year's track refurbishment.

Both ends of the 1000ft stretch of track have now been rejoined onto the rest of the branch line. The next job to do is level the track and drop over 350 tonnes of ballast to hold it all in place!

📷 K. Bisset

16/02/2020

Caledonian Railway

Early bird discount!

Tickets for our Easter Eggspress on 11th & 12th April are now on sale. Book your family's place today and SAVE 10% when you use the discount code 'EASTER20' at the checkout.

To book your tickets and for more information, please see our website at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/2

09/02/2020

05/02/2020

Well done to The Whistle Stop!

😱😱look what’s happened today!!
On the short list for independent coffee shop of the year, www.themenufoodanddrinkawards.co.uk😆

23/01/2020

#throwbackthursday to summer 2002 when we had a visitor from the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Here we see Caledonian Railway No. 419 powering through Magdalen cutting.

📷 Ian Lothian

18/01/2020

Caledonian Railway's cover photo

18/01/2020

Caledonian Railway

11/01/2020

Caledonian Railway Diesel Group

We're very grateful to Mr Duncan McIntosh of Duncan McIntosh Trailers, Brechin, for the generous donation of a 15' Lang 8B2 lathe which will be a big boost to the scope of machining we can do in house. Thanks also to Geddes Group of Swirlburn for the transport. It's a lot bigger than our current Colchester!

Duncan's website can be found at - http://www.duncanmcintosh.co.uk/

09/01/2020

Brechin Railway Preservation Society

Trackwork progress

A few members of the volunteer P-Way team have been out this week working on this season's track renovation work.

All of the replacement sleepers have now been laid down ready for the team to make a start on reinstating the rails this coming weekend.

📷 K. Bisset

08/01/2020

The Whistle Stop

PART TIME STAFF REQUIRED for our busy coffee shop.
A cheerful, friendly, highly motivated, hardworking, reliable, individual with experience.
You will be required to work weekends and week days on a rota basis.
Hours will vary between 8.30am -4.00pm.
Please hand C.V. into The Whistle Stop, Coffee Shop.

29/12/2019

Some of our volunteers were out today making a start on this season's track work

Our P-Way team were out today working off those extra Christmas calories, lifting over 1000ft of our running line. Over the coming weeks, our team of volunteers will level off the track bed and begin relaying the track with new materials.

📷 K. Bisset

25/12/2019

From all of the volunteers at the Caledonian Railway, we would like to wish our visitors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎅🎄☃️

12/12/2019

Visit Angus

Would you like to win a family pass to one of our 2020 running days? Simply LIKE and SHARE this post to enter. Hurry, as you only have until 7pm tonight to enter!

Take a ride on the Caledonian Railway in Brechin. LIKE and SHARE for your chance to win a family pass to visit on one of the railway's regular opening days. A winner will be chosen at 7pm tonight. Good luck!

#ChristmasCountdown #visitangus

Advent image - (c) Marlyn McInnes

11/12/2019

We're down to our last few tickets for this Saturday's Santa Specials! We only have 14 private compartments and 5 bays left. All of our other dates and times have sold out.

These last few spaces are expected to fill up very quickly so book your seats today through our website - https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

10/12/2019

Our remaining Santa Special dates are almost completely sold out!

We only have a limited number of tickets left for this Saturday - these are available to purchase through our website at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

08/12/2019

For our customers visiting from Aberdeen today, please be aware that there has been an accident southbound on the A90 just north of Stonehaven.

Crash just happened a92 southbound just before muchalls bend.
Emergency services on scene.
Traffic at a standstill.

07/12/2019

Santa's steam train is all ready for tomorrow!

All tickets for this weekend have sold out but there are still spaces available for some of our remaining dates - book now by visiting our website at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

05/12/2019

With our Santa Specials starting this weekend, here are a few Top Tips for visiting us this December:

- All Santa Special trains depart from Brechin station - our postcode is DD9 7AF.
- Please arrive on time, allowing plenty of travel time for inclement weather conditions and for parking your car. Trains are available to board up to 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Do not be late as the trains will not wait for you!
- Parking is available in our Brechin yard car park and Park Road car park. If you are using on-street parking, please consider other road users and Brechin's residents when leaving your vehicle.
- Please be careful when walking around the site - wintery weather conditions can cause surfaces to become slippery.
- Please have your tickets either on a smart device or printed to show the ticket collector on board the train. If you do not have a copy of your tickets, please visit the ticket office when you arrive.
- There are no toilets available on board the train. Toilets are available at Brechin and Bridge of Dun stations.

All information on our Santa Specials can be found on our website at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

03/12/2019

Santa's steam train journey's at the Caledonian Railway start THIS WEEKEND and run every weekend up until Christmas!

We have limited spaces remaining - get your tickets today to avoid missing out!

Book now - https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

01/12/2019

One week to go until Santa arrives and many of our trains have completely SOLD OUT, with a number of other times with very few seats remaining!

Tickets for the remaining times are still available online and can be purchased through our website at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

29/11/2019

Over 80% of the tickets for our Santa Specials have now sold!

We still have limited availabilities on some of our trains this December. Quick, book now and avoid missing out - https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

28/11/2019

Last chance!

Best of luck!

27/11/2019

SANTA TICKETS UPDATE

Only 11 days to go until our first #santasteamtrain and more times have now SOLD OUT, with limited availabilities on a number of other times.

We expect spaces on all of our other times to sell quickly - BOOK NOW to avoid missing out! https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

25/11/2019

Santa will be here in only 13 days!

There are still some tickets available for his special train but they're selling fast so book your family's place today and avoid missing out - https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

24/11/2019

🤞

Best of luck!

24/11/2019

It's great to see the ladies over at The Whistle Stop mentioned in yesterday's Courier

A wee mention today in The Courier 😁🤗

22/11/2019

Caledonian Railway's cover photo

22/11/2019

SANTA TICKETS UPDATE

A number of our upcoming Santa trains have now SOLD OUT, with limited availabilities on other times.

Tickets are selling fast so BOOK NOW to avoid missing out! https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

18/11/2019

Best of luck!

14/11/2019

Have you got your tickets to see Santa?

Trains are filling up fast, with the 11am trains on Sunday 8th & 15 December now sold out.

Hurry, book your tickets now through our website at www.caledonianrailway.com/events/10 or call the box office on 0333 666 3366.

08/11/2019

#flashbackfriday to December 2014 when Salmon the steam engine visit us for our Santa Specials.

Salmon was very kindly lent to the railway at short notice from the Royal Deeside Railway based at Milton of Crathes Station near Banchory.

Fun fact: During their working lives, Salmon and our big blue steam engine Harlaxton both worked together at Harlaxton Ironstone Quarries before being replaced by diesel locomotives in the 1960's.

Did you know that our Santa trains will be back again this December? Lots of tickets have already sold, with limited availability left on a number of our times.

Hurry, book now through our website at www.caledonianrailway.com/events/10 or call the box office on 0333 666 3366.

06/11/2019

Only 4 weeks to go and nearly 50% of our seats have already gone for our Santa Specials - Caledonian Railway happening this December!

Have you got your tickets? Hurry as trains are filling up FAST so book now through our website at www.caledonianrailway.com/events/10 or call the box office on 0333 666 3366.

06/11/2019

Tickets on sale now at https://caledonianrailway.com/events/10

Address

The Station, 2 Park Road
Brechin
DD9 7AF

General information

For information on train times and events, please visit www.caledonianrailway.com

Telephone

01356 622992

Website

www.caledonianrailway.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Caledonian Railway posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Caledonian Railway:

Videos

Our Steam and Diesel trains are running again this weekend! Trains depart Brechin both days at 11:00, 12:20, 13:40 & 15:00. More information and tickets can be found through our website at www.caledonianrailway.com #visitangus #visitbrechin #visitscotland #tourisminangus #steamtrainscotland #steamtrain #steamrailway #heritagerailway #whatsonangus #thingstodoinangus #thingstodoscotland

Our Easter steam trains will be running again today! Steam trains depart #brechin at 11:00, 12:20, 13:40 & 15:00. The FREE Basin Rambler bus service will be running between our Bridge of Dun station, the House of Dun and Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre so why not make a day of it? Our buffet outlets at Brechin and Bridge of Dun stations will also be open selling a range of food and drinks. We have brakevan rides and children's play park at Bridge of Dun, miniature railway rides and face painting at Brechin and we also have the "Spot the Easter Egg" competition where you get the chance to WIN a family ticket to one of our Day Out With Thomas services this summer! Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or at our ticket offices at either stations today - see our website at www.caledonianrailway.com/events/2 to book! #visitangus #visitscotland #whatsonangus

That's all folks! Our 2018 season has come to a close. The volunteers and would like to thank all of our passengers for visiting us this year and wish them all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Did you travel on our Santa Specials this December? Why not write us a quick review on our Facebook and TripAdvisor pages?

Thomas is off to bed now after spending the weekend hauling trains here in Brechin. Thank you to all of our visitors this weekend. The volunteers hope that you all enjoyed yourselves and wonder if you could take a few minutes to write a review on our Facebook and TripAdvisor pages.

#thomasthetankengine and his friends are ready for another fun filled weekend here in #brechin. Tickets to travel on his train are still available and can be bought from our website https://caledonianrailway.com/events/9

Steam trains running today! Trains depart Brechin at 11:00, 12:20, 13:40 & 15:00. See our website for more info www.caledonianrailway.com

Diesel trains running today! Trains depart Brechin at 11:00, 12:20, 13:40 & 15:00. See our website for more info www.caledonianrailway.com

The volunteers that run the railway would like to say a big thank you to all of our customers that travelled behind #thomasthetankengine this weekend at our #dayoutwiththomas event. We hope that you all enjoyed yourselves and wonder if you could spare a few minutes to write a review on our Facebook and TripAdvisor pages. Don't worry of you missed out this time as Thomas will be back again on 25/26 August! Please see our website for details and to book tickets www.caledonianrailway.com

Steam trains running today! Brechin departures 11.00, 12.20, 13.40 & 15.00. Our gift shop & buffets will be open. See our website for more info www.caledonianrailway.com

One of our bigger diesels, No.26014, running round at Brechin. There's still time to catch a ride on the trains today, with departure times at 12.20, 13.40 & 15.00.

Santa Specials 2017

Whilst other parts of the country were struggling with the wintery weather conditions, the sun shone brightly all weekend here at the Caledonian Railway. Here is a clip of our Santa Specials departing Bridge of Dun today. Thanks to Steve Moir for the video.

"Peep peep, off we go" said Thomas. Here he is leaving Bridge of Dun station with the last train of the day. Thomas has had a really fun time here in Brechin and is looking forward to coming back in 2018! He hopes that you have all enjoyed yourselves and hopes you would take a few minutes to write a review on our Facebook and TripAdvisor pages

An Interview with Sir Topham Hatt

Easter Eggspress 2017

Our big steam loco, Harlaxton, powering through Magdalen Cutting with the Easter Eggspress. This is the steepest part of our branchline, with the gradient reaching 1 in 75.

Festive Fairwell

Well, that's our Santa Specials over for another year. We hope you have all enjoyed your time with us this year and we'll see you all again in 2016! Until then, have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!