Members of the group, which represents the majority of heritage and tourist railway preservation groups as well as railway museums, took trips on the £19 million Cairngorm funicular railway and the Strathspey Steam Railway on the Aviemore-Broomhill line.

Mr John Crane, Heritage Railway Association spokesman, said: "We were very impressed by the work going on at the Strathspey railway, and we are certainly looking forward to returning and riding the train into Grantown sometime soon.

"The countryside in Strathspey is superb and provides an enviable setting for the local heritage railway."

Mr Doug Scott, Strathspey Railway Company Chairman, was delighted to see the railway experts in the area, particulary at a time when they are making progress on plans to connect Aviemore to the Strathspey capital by steam engine.

Heritage Railway Association members pictured at Broomhill Station on Sunday with SRC chairman Douglas Scott.

"It was great to have members of the Heritage Railway Assocation visiting at this time when our volunteers were actually laying track towards Grantown.

"We are seeking encouragement from many quarters for the extension, and the HRA is an important supporter of our efforts."

The group were based at the Garth Hotel, and those attending heard from keynote speaker, Dr Malcolm Reed, chief executive of Transport Scotland. They also paid a visit to the Keith and Dufftown Railway.

The HRA represents its members' interests to Government and other bodies and acts as a "link" on political, historical, technicial and professional matters of interest to all heritage railways.

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