Many of those who operate the Strathspey Railway are Volunteers and members of the Strathspey Railway Association.

The Association is run entirely by Volunteers who have a committed interest in railway preservation.

Following the Strathspey Railway Company’s inception in 1971 the Association was formed to establish a committed base of members who could give financial and hands-on Volunteer assistance to the Railway.  This is the continued aim of the Association and at present it has some 800 members many of who regularly take on the responsibility for the day to day operational posts described below.

The Railway employs a nucleus of full time staff but on a busy summer’s day there is a need for at least one locomotive driver, 2 firemen, a guard, a ticket inspector, 3 booking clerks and ideally at least another 3 shop assistants and station staff. 

Without great commitment from Association members and Volunteers restoration of train services between Aviemore and Boat of Garten would not have happened in 1978.  Nor would the extension into Aviemore Mainline station have taken place in 1998, far less the opening of the 4½-mile long extension to Broomhill in 2002.  

Association members and Volunteers maintain and improve locomotives, carriages, buildings, platforms, signalling and the track of the permanent way. 

Whether skilled or unskilled Volunteers are needed and new faces will be made welcome and allotted appropriate duties.

Many things are left to be completed including it is hoped the eventual extension to Grantown-on-Spey.

Railway preservation is a rewarding hobby and those of us who have been involved in getting the Strathspey Railway to its current stage of development can look back with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment.

There is much yet to do and by joining the Association you could be part of it. 

Members qualify for reduced fares on the Strathspey Railway and receive a regular journal, the Strathspey Express