Strathspey Railway

[Bittern]

I'll be doing this line very soon, and hoping to travel First Class on it, but here's the deal. I'd like to get a window seat on one side of the train on the way to Broomhill, and at the other side on the way back (so I can enjoy the scenery on both sides of the train). Is this possible with First class?

Also, on the 10:30, do they serve anything like tea and coffee? I heard that First Class passengers got free hot drinks. Any truth to this?

Asking because I'd like to know if it's worth the £8 extra for First.

Thanks.

 

[Alnilam]

When I was up on the SRPS one the Strathspey train was next to ours and it looked lovely inside

Afraid I can offer no other useful information. I am going to go up this sunday as there is apparently 2 on the go.

http://www.strathspeyrailway.net/timetable3.html

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Bittern,

I highly recommend you travel in first class on the Strathspey, Although its not the longest, it is by far the most scenic and beautiful preserved line I have had the pleasure of riding.

Me and my partner have travelled first class on both visits and have been the only ones in there, even though the service has been busy both times. Your best bet is to travel during the week, avoiding weekends, mainly because although there could well be a few coach parties with you in the week, they are all in pre reserved standard class coaches.

The first class coach itself is a beautifully refurbished mk1 corridor brake composite coach, with 5 compartments with 6 seats in each around a table.

Some photos I took during our visit can be found here.......
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3006575/photo?photo_id=711851768&vendor_id=3006575
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/3006575/photo?photo_id=711852187&vendor_id=3006575
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/photo?photo_id=1915259990&vendor_id=3006575
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/photo?photo_id=1915261510&vendor_id=3006575

And I can also confirm you get complementary filter coffee and shortbread included in your ticket price, below is what me and my partner got....
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/gallery/photo?photo_id=711848182&vendor_id=3006575

There is also a well stocked bar, including some really nice Scottish real ales from the Cairngorm Brewery and a menu with freshly made hot and cold snacks, no pre packed plastic rubbish!

Enjoy your visit, I know we did.

 

[Bittern]

Thanks, but too late. I've already done it, and to be honest, I doubt that First Class would've been worth it. 3rd Class was perfect for me.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Thanks, but too late. I've already done it, and to be honest, I doubt that First Class would've been worth it. 3rd Class was perfect for me.

The good thing I found with first class was that nobody was walking about up and down the coach, so I could shoot videos and take photos pretty much undisturbed.

I hope you had a good trip, what was pulling the train on your visit?

 

[Bittern]

http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34742

 

[CallySleeperKid]

http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34742

I actually read that thread and went through all the pictures and it never clicked on to me that it was yours, oops!

Great pictures they are to, looked like you got a good day in.

 

[scotsman]

Thanks, but too late. I've already done it, and to be honest, I doubt that First Class would've been worth it. 3rd Class was perfect for me.

Sorry to troll, but I'm gonna admit it now - I'm a Strathspey TTI. I'd definitely reccommend 1st, free tea/coffee and shortbread plus the compartment (which are the comfiest I've sat in!)

Any idea who your Guard was/what they looked like?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The good thing I found with first class was that nobody was walking about up and down the coach, so I could shoot videos and take photos pretty much undisturbed.

Also, we don't tend to stop people filming out the windows unless they're seriously putting themselves in danger - I've never had to speak to anyone.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Also, we don't tend to stop people filming out the windows unless they're seriously putting themselves in danger - I've never had to speak to anyone.

That's good to know, Not that I would ever be hanging that far out I'd be putting myself or anyone else in danger.

On the note of first class, do you have a set amount of tickets to sell, because me and my partner would always travel first class on the Strathspey but would not really want to share a compartment. Sorry if that sounds snobby, its not meant to be.

As I have mentioned before we may well be visiting when the Santa Specials are running, Are they likely to be busy, especially in first class? Would an advanced booking be advised?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Scrap that, just checked and we miss the Santa Specials. Bugger.

 

[scotsman]

That's good to know, Not that I would ever be hanging that far out I'd be putting myself or anyone else in danger.

On the note of first class, do you have a set amount of tickets to sell, because me and my partner would always travel first class on the Strathspey but would not really want to share a compartment. Sorry if that sounds snobby, its not meant to be.

As I have mentioned before we may well be visiting when the Santa Specials are running, Are they likely to be busy, especially in first class? Would an advanced booking be advised?

That's an interesting point - I rarely sell tickets, the station staff do 99% of that. Personally, I wouldn't put anyone in a compartment with anyone else and when reservations for 1st are made the entire compartment is reserved.

The Santas tend to be pretty busy, if you're not travelling as a Santa passenger (I presume you aren't) - I'd give Aviemore a call and ask about booking 1st Class seating on the days the Santa trains are running.

I won't be a TTI on those trains, I'll be an 'Elf' more than likely. Just keep an eye out for a young guy with a 90s ScotRail Tie!

 

[Bittern]

Any idea who your Guard was/what they looked like?

I spoke to the guard once. The only thing I could tell you that is that the guard was male, which obviously won't narrow it down much unless every other guard is female.

 

[scotsman]

I spoke to the guard once. The only thing I could tell you that is that the guard was male, which obviously won't narrow it down much unless every other guard is female.

We have a couple of female guards now. If the Guard had a sort of posh English accent, then I know exactly who it was. What date were you up? - you may have even seen me?