Royal Deeside Railway

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Royal Deeside Railway

A heritage railway in the heart of Royal Deeside, Scotland. Steam, diesel and battery electric vehicles and an award-winning station building. Operational. D9551.

Train services every weekend starting at 11.00 am with buffet car serving coffees, teas and light snacks. Wonderful views of River Dee, woodland and surrounding hillsides. The Royal Deeside Railway was formed in 1996 to re-create the branch line from Aberdeen to Ballater, opened in 1856 by the Deeside Railway Company and closed by British Railways in 1966. The railway between Banchory and Milton o

f Crathes has been partially re-instated, and a new station built at Milton of Crathes. The station building is an award-winning restoration of the original station in Oldmeldrum. The railway offers a passenger train service every weekend from Easter until September. The carriages are 1960s vintage British Rail Mark IIs. We operate a steam tank engine on alternate Sundays, otherwise the trains are diesel-hauled. Please see http://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/ for more information. Locomotives
Steam locomotives
Aberdeen Gas Works Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 807 "Bon-Accord". Operational - under testing (Arrived March 2010)
Diesel locomotives
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 No. 415. BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2094 / 03094. Operational (Arrived May 2010)
BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2134 / 03134. BR 0-6-0 Class 14 no. Under repair. Multiple units
BR BEMU unit 79998+79999. Operational (as hauled coaching stock) – repairs to electrical systems in progress.

13/07/2026

Summer weekends were made for days like this. ☀️🚂

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s Cream Tea. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying a relaxed afternoon at the railway, and we hope you all had a wonderful time.

Now we’re looking forward to doing it all again this weekend.

If you’re searching for something different to do on Sunday, why not spend a few hours with us?

Climb aboard behind Bon Accord, our 128-year-old steam locomotive that once worked in Aberdeen Harbour, chat with the volunteers who keep the railway running, and enjoy a family day out in the heart of Royal Deeside.

Sometimes it’s the simplest days that become the ones you remember.

🚂 Trains run from 11am until 4pm this Sunday.

We’d love to welcome you aboard.

11/07/2026

Tomorrow’s almost here… ☕🍰

This time tomorrow, the tables will be laid, the freshly made sandwiches, the cakes and scones will have been eaten, and the kettle will be taking its hard earned break.

Today, our volunteers are busy behind the scenes getting everything ready to welcome everyone who’s joining us for tomorrow’s Cream Tea.

It’s one of our favourite days at the railway. There’s always plenty of tea poured, lots of conversation, and importantly, a relaxed afternoon spent with friends and family in the heart of Royal Deeside.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone who’s booked! ☺️

And if you’ve missed out this time, don’t worry, our next Cream Tea takes place on Saturday 2nd August. Keep an eye on the page over the coming weeks for booking details. ☀️🚂

07/07/2026

This time on Sunday, the tables will be set, the tea will be poured, and the conversations will be well underway. ☕🧁

Our next Cream Tea takes place this Sunday, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone who’s booked to join us.

If you’ve been thinking about coming along but haven’t quite got round to booking, there’s still time to reserve your place.

Expect freshly prepared sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones, tea and coffee served straight to your table, and a relaxed afternoon with no rush to leave.

It’s a chance to slow down, catch up with friends or family, and enjoy something a little different in the heart of Royal Deeside.

We’ll take care of everything else.

🎟 If you’d like to join us this Sunday, booking details can be found via the link in the comments.

Who would you spend a summer afternoon with? ☺️

04/07/2026

Tomorrow, it all begins. ☀️🚂

After all of the preparation by our volunteers, we’re ready to welcome everyone back for the start of our summer season.

If you’re looking for something a little different to do this weekend, come and spend a few hours with us in the heart of Royal Deeside.

Climb aboard behind Bon Accord, our 128-year-old steam locomotive that once worked in Aberdeen Harbour, chat to the volunteers who keep the railway running, and enjoy a relaxed family day out surrounded by some of the best scenery in Aberdeenshire.

The railway is ready.

The volunteers are ready.

Now all we need is you.

🚂 Trains running tomorrow from 11am–4pm.

Will we see you there?

01/07/2026

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on the footplate of a steam locomotive? 🚂

Not just to look around…

But actually drive one.

Our Steam Taster Experiences give you the chance to take the regulator of Bon Accord, our 128-year-old steam locomotive that once worked in Aberdeen Harbour, under the guidance of one of our experienced volunteer crews.

After a one-to-one introduction to the loco and its controls, you’ll take the train along the length of the Royal Deeside Railway, with your instructor beside you every step of the way.

It’s an experience very few people get the chance to enjoy.

✔️ 45-minute one-to-one experience

✔️ Drive an 1897 steam locomotive

✔️ Bring up to five guests to watch from the brake van

✔️ Receive a commemorative certificate to remember the day

Whether it’s been on your bucket list for years or you’re looking for a gift that’s a little different, this is one experience you’ll never forget.

🎟 Steam Taster Experiences are £125.

Some summer experiences are available still. Link in the comments below 👇🏼

Have you ever dreamed of driving a steam engine?

29/06/2026

Our first Cream Tea of the summer is getting closer and we’re delighted to say tables are already starting to fill. ☀️🫖

If you’re looking for something a little different to do this July, why not spend the afternoon with us?

Take your seat, enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones, and let our volunteers bring tea or coffee straight to your table while you relax in the heart of Royal Deeside.

There’s no rush to leave, no set time to finish, just good food, good company and a chance to slow down for a while.

Whether you’re catching up with friends, celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself, we’d love to welcome you.

📅 Sunday 12th July
⏰ 11am, 1pm & 3pm trains

🎟 If you’ve been thinking about booking, now’s a great time, as places are already being reserved. Check the link below ⬇️

One question though…

Who would you save a seat for? ☕🧁

27/06/2026

The wait is almost over… Summer at the Royal Deeside Railway starts next Sunday. ☀️🚂

There’s something special about this time of year.

Longer days, sunshine (hopefully!), the high pitch noise of a steam whistle echoing through Royal Deeside, and seeing families making memories together.

Whether you’re climbing on board behind our 128-year-old steam locomotive Bon Accord, chatting to the volunteers who keep our railway running, or simply enjoying a few hours doing something a little different, we’d love to welcome you along.

Our summer season gets underway on Saturday 5th July, with trains running from 11am until 4pm.

So if you’re looking for a family day out, introducing someone to a heritage railway for the very first time, or just fancy a trip back in time, we’d love to see you.

What are you most looking forward to this summer at the Deeside Railway? ☀️🚂

24/06/2026

Behind every train that leaves our station is a team of volunteers making it happen.

Some joined because they love railways.

Some came to learn new skills.

Others simply wanted to meet new people and give something back to their community.

Whatever the reason, they’ve all become part of the family and story of the Royal Deeside Railway.

If you’ve ever watched one of our trains and thought, “I’d quite like to be part of that,” there’s never been a better time to get involved.

You don’t need railway experience, just a willingness to learn and get stuck in.

If the video has inspired you, made you think of someone you know, or you’d simply like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.

Please drop us an email at:
📧 [email protected]

Hey who knows… this could be where your own railway journey begins. 🤷🏻‍♂️🚂

22/06/2026

What does a summer day look like at the Royal Deeside Railway? ☀️🚂

For some people, it’s getting to sit down with some friends and family, enjoying fresh sandwiches, cakes and butter and jammed scones while tea and coffee are brought to their table.

For others, it’s climbing onto the footplate of a steam locomotive and finding out what it’s really like to drive an engine that’s over 100 years old.

That’s what makes our railway special. Everyone comes for something different.

Our next Cream Tea takes place on Saturday 12th July, offering a relaxed afternoon in the heart of Royal Deeside with plenty of good food, good company and no rush to leave.

And if you’ve ever fancied getting a little closer to the action, we still have some Steam Taster Experiences available this summer, giving you the chance to learn what it takes to operate Bon Accord like the steam drivers of old.

Whether you’re looking for a special afternoon with family and friends or an experience you’ll remember for years to come, we’ve got something a little different waiting for you this summer.

Link for Cream Tea’s are popped in the description below 👇🏼

Getting tagging who would you bring along ☕🚂☺️

20/06/2026

Summer is well and truly here ☀️🚂

Over the next two months, we’ll be welcoming visitors from all over to the railway for steam train rides, Cream Teas, special events and plenty of opportunities to spend time with family and friends in the heart of Royal Deeside.

BUT, what we look forward to most isn’t just running the trains.

It’s seeing families making memories together, them chatting to our volunteers, children waving at the steam engine, and people discovering our railway for the very first time.

Whether you’re joining us for a trip behind Bon Accord, treating someone to one of our Cream Teas, or visiting during the Banchory Steam & Vintage Fair weekend, we’d love to welcome you on board.

📅 Our Summer highlights:

🚂 Running Days
5th, 19th & 26th of July
9th, 15th, 16th & 23rd of August

☕ Cream Teas
12th July
2nd August

🎪 Banchory Steam & Vintage Fair Weekend
15th & 16th August

And if you’ve never visited before, this summer is just the perfect time.

Who’s planning a trip to the railway this summer?

Address

The Royal Deeside Railway, Milton Of Crathes
Banchory
AB315QH

Telephone

01330 844416

Website

http://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/

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