All aboard for more passengers to BBC Monarch of the Glen’s Glenbogle station
An extended service is now running to ‘Glenbogle’ railway station made famous in the BBC’s smash-hit comedy drama “Monarch of the Glen”.
The Strathspey Steam Railway has long been restricted by the limitations of the platform at its Broomhill Station which enjoyed fame in its other life on the telly.
But the problem has now been addressed and doors are being opened - literally - to greater numbers of passengers at the stop by Dulnain Bridge.
“There was some site clearing in late 2024 but work proper commenced in January, earlier this year,” explained SSR spokesman David Childs.
“This entailed raising a length of track and one switch - or, ‘point’. In March, the foundations for the platform were laid.
“In April the walls were built and in May the platform top and coping stones were fitted, completed with local granite chippings.
“This extended the platform by 90 feet so that we can now fit in an extra 63 feet coach making a train of eight coaches.
“Previously, the seven coach train had to be positioned precisely and certain doors kept locked for safety.
“A standard 63 feet coach can hold up to 64 passengers so with some of the coaches being non-passenger carrying - that is, the restaurant, galley, guard, disabled accessible etc. - the extra capacity gives us up to a potential extra 20 per cent passengers seats.
Broomhill is the northern terminus for the regular Strathspey line passenger train services.
However, the line extends for approximately a mile beyond to reach and cross the River Dulnain on its way towards Grantown which is the long-term objective of the railway.
The train currently runs BR Mk1 coaches sandwiched between the Gresley Observation Car and the recently overhauled LMS inspection saloon.
In preparation for the platform extension work, the Strathspey permanent way team modified the track alignment.
They work quietly all year round to inspect, maintain and improve the railway’s track and civil engineering infrastructure.
Monarch of the Glen was broadcast on BBC1 for seven series on Sunday evenings between February 2000 and October 2005 with 64 episodes in total and starred Richard Briers, Susan Hampshire, Alastair Mackenzie and Dawn Steele.
