About Milton Of Crathes Station
A heritage railway in the heart of Royal Deeside, Scotland. Steam, diesel and battery electric vehicles and an award-winning station building.
Milton Of Crathes Station Description
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 of 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. Operational.
BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2094 / 03094. Operational (Arrived May 2010)
BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2134 / 03134. Operational.
BR 0-6-0 Class 14 no. D9551. Under repair.
Multiple units
BR BEMU unit 79998 + 79999. Operational (as hauled coaching stock) – repairs to electrical systems in progress.
Reviews
Platform Ramp Progress #headingwest
The volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society have been busy today working on the passenger access ramp to the West Lodge Platform.
📷 Shayne MacFaull
Enjoy a delicious cream tea with plain scones, butter, cream, jam and fancies. All tickets include the train ride, the cream tea, juice, bottled water and tea and coffee.
Visitors taking the cream tea may remain on board for two services to allow ample time to enjoy the cream tea at leisure.
Royal Deeside Railway. Delicious cream teas again available on the trains this Sunday May 5th. Booking available online at deeside-railway.co.uk
An unusual view of the line
Here’s a short video of the scenery you can see along the railway line. Steam Hauled Trains are running next Sunday.
🎥 Shayne MacFaull
A busy afternoon!
The Garioch Vehicle Restoration Society - GVRS Drive It Day vintage and classic car run headed to the Milton of Crathes Station today. It was great to welcome the drivers for a beverage.
Diesel Hauled Trains are running today
Passenger trains on the Royal Deeside Railway will be hauled by one of our Class 03 locomotives. Trains depart every hour from 11:00 until 16:00. The popular on train cafe is also open on the train.
Heading West #headingwest - the access steps
The volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society have lifted the access steps into position today that will provide access to the West Lodge Platform.
It’s been a fine day!
The sun shone and the visitors were happy today at the Royal Deeside Railway.
All set
Bon-Accord at the head of the train today. Bon-Accord is next in steam hauling the passenger train on Sunday 5th May.
An early start
Bon-Accord is in steam for a private charter today. The crew are preparing the locomotive prior to lighting the fire.
Looking for something to do on Sunday?
The Royal Deeside Railway is operating diesel hauled trains. Trains depart from the station every hour from 11:00 until 16:00.
Another Throw Back Thursday #throwbackthursday
Was it really two years ago that the volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society were visited by His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay.
Throw Back Thursday #throwbackthursday
Was it really two years ago that the volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society were visited by His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay.
A rather late workshop Wednesday #workshopwednesday
The volunteers were busy undertaking repairs to the shed doors. The doors have recently become troublesome, so some minor modifications were undertaken on them to make them easier to open and close.
Heading West - West Lodge Platform Progress #Headingwest
The volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society were busy yesterday working on the public access ramp to the new platform at West Lodge.
A new arrival
This time five years ago Salmon arrived at the Royal Deeside Railway. The locomotive is currently out of service and will soon be leaving the railway for restoration. We look forward to the locomotives return.
Check out this vintage photo of Bon-Accord, the locomotive will be in action on Sunday 5th May 2019.
Two Years Ago
Our first ever three coach train at the Royal Deeside Railway.
A sunny day
Yesterday was a sunny day, here is an unusual video from the fireman of Bon-Accord as the locomotive was being filled with water.
🎥 Trevor Harvey
What’s to say? If you love steam,then you’ll love this. A great day, with great sounds and smells. Hissing steam and the coal smoke....what’s not to like.
We went on the Santa train yesterday & would recommend it. What a wonderful experience for our 2 wee girls - lovely singing, a 'real' train and a very authentic Santa! All involved were so friendly & welcoming, makes such a difference.
We took our daughter on the train today with her school friends for her 5th birthday. The girls were all delighted, everyone was very kind and helpful. Santa singing happy birthday has made her day. We sang Christmas Carols on the journey (thank goodness for the printed song sheets!). The children all received a lovely bag of gifts, a drink and packet of biscuits while the adults enjoyed tea/coffee and a mince pie. A lovely way to spend the morning.
We took our 2.5 year old and she loved it. Excellent Santa and great pressies and of course a real choo choo train! Thank you so much!
We took Zahra our 7yr old niece on the steam train today (with cream tea) a wonderful time had by all...
We had a visit to the Santa train on 4/12/16. Wonderful experience, everyone was so nice. We have one very happy toddler that got to hi five Santa. Thank you all.
We had a lovely time on Saturday. My son, my granddaughters and I were delighted with the journey. The staff were very helpful and festive. Will be back next year.
Thank you for making our sons 2nd birthday so special. Everyone went out of their way to make sure he had a day to remember. We will be back for the Santa special!
Our first visit and we loved it. Great buffet car on board and lovely to enjoy our cuppy looking at the scenery. Volunteers were superb, friendly and great with my wee girl. Loved the fact the ticket was a rover ticket and we got to have as many trips as we liked (we did 2). Keep up the good work
My family and I visited today for your Santa Special. It was great fun and my little boy loved it. Very well organised and all the staff were lovely. Thank you �
I think it is a great idea ,keeping the old Age of Steam alive
is good , being in that time (Steam Trains) it brought back
happy memories as I went doon the water in them often .
Had a great time on our first visit on the train. We were running late because of the snow but the staff were very accommodating and made everyone feel welcome. It was really well organised and such a lovely experience and Santa made time for everyone. it will now be one of our new Christmas traditions!!
Had a great afternoon on the train with Santa there for the kids and enjoyed singing the Christmas carols as well my boys enjoyed getting in the cab with the driver for a look well worth a visit
Brilliant event on Sunday - Santa Express. Took our 22 month old for first time and he loved it. Well organised and enjoyed the warm mince pie and tea/coffee whilst the little ones opened their gifts from santa. Carol singing was a lovely addition and Santa spent time chatting with all the children. Thank you!!
Booked for train with Santa. And it was great fun for all. For kids and parents too. Thank you for nice welcome. Will back in future. Merry Christmas xx
Been this afternoon and my little girl
Just had the best time and her face when santa came And spoke to her was worth no amount of money and the staff who run the santa train were fantastic and very attentive the whole experience was super and my little girl already wants to book next year 5***** and the coffee and mince pie was delicious
Thank you so much to you all
Absolutely wonderful experience today on the Santa train! Such a lovely experience, wonderful friendly Santa & Elves and really yummy mince pies. Finished it off with a walk alongside the railway which was a treat. Thanks again! X
Really enjoyed our Santa train experience on Saturday, very refreshing to go to an attraction that's not over commercialised and is so authentic. We enjoyed the singing and the gifts to the kids were very age appropriate and well thought out, both kids very happy. My little 2 year old boys face was a picture when he saw Santa, was brilliant. Also the coffee/ tea and mince pie at the end is great. Thanks all
Came on Santa train a couple of years ago and it was so good,the staff really got the children excited before Santa appeared but this year was a little bit disappointing. The elf didn't seem like she wanted to be there and although the kids were excited to see Santa, he didn't interact the much with the children. All seemed a bit rushed. Gift was good though �
What’s to say? If you love steam,then you’ll love this. A great day, with great sounds and smells. Hissing steam and the coal smoke....what’s not to like.
We went on the Santa train yesterday & would recommend it. What a wonderful experience for our 2 wee girls - lovely singing, a 'real' train and a very authentic Santa! All involved were so friendly & welcoming, makes such a difference.
We took our daughter on the train today with her school friends for her 5th birthday. The girls were all delighted, everyone was very kind and helpful. Santa singing happy birthday has made her day. We sang Christmas Carols on the journey (thank goodness for the printed song sheets!). The children all received a lovely bag of gifts, a drink and packet of biscuits while the adults enjoyed tea/coffee and a mince pie. A lovely way to spend the morning.
We took our 2.5 year old and she loved it. Excellent Santa and great pressies and of course a real choo choo train! Thank you so much!
We took Zahra our 7yr old niece on the steam train today (with cream tea) a wonderful time had by all...
We had a visit to the Santa train on 4/12/16. Wonderful experience, everyone was so nice. We have one very happy toddler that got to hi five Santa. Thank you all.
We had a lovely time on Saturday. My son, my granddaughters and I were delighted with the journey. The staff were very helpful and festive. Will be back next year.
Thank you for making our sons 2nd birthday so special. Everyone went out of their way to make sure he had a day to remember. We will be back for the Santa special!
Our first visit and we loved it. Great buffet car on board and lovely to enjoy our cuppy looking at the scenery. Volunteers were superb, friendly and great with my wee girl. Loved the fact the ticket was a rover ticket and we got to have as many trips as we liked (we did 2). Keep up the good work
My family and I visited today for your Santa Special. It was great fun and my little boy loved it. Very well organised and all the staff were lovely. Thank you �
I think it is a great idea ,keeping the old Age of Steam alive
is good , being in that time (Steam Trains) it brought back
happy memories as I went doon the water in them often .
Had a great time on our first visit on the train. We were running late because of the snow but the staff were very accommodating and made everyone feel welcome. It was really well organised and such a lovely experience and Santa made time for everyone. it will now be one of our new Christmas traditions!!
Had a great afternoon on the train with Santa there for the kids and enjoyed singing the Christmas carols as well my boys enjoyed getting in the cab with the driver for a look well worth a visit
Brilliant event on Sunday - Santa Express. Took our 22 month old for first time and he loved it. Well organised and enjoyed the warm mince pie and tea/coffee whilst the little ones opened their gifts from santa. Carol singing was a lovely addition and Santa spent time chatting with all the children. Thank you!!
Booked for train with Santa. And it was great fun for all. For kids and parents too. Thank you for nice welcome. Will back in future. Merry Christmas xx
Been this afternoon and my little girl
Just had the best time and her face when santa came And spoke to her was worth no amount of money and the staff who run the santa train were fantastic and very attentive the whole experience was super and my little girl already wants to book next year 5***** and the coffee and mince pie was delicious
Thank you so much to you all
Absolutely wonderful experience today on the Santa train! Such a lovely experience, wonderful friendly Santa & Elves and really yummy mince pies. Finished it off with a walk alongside the railway which was a treat. Thanks again! X
Really enjoyed our Santa train experience on Saturday, very refreshing to go to an attraction that's not over commercialised and is so authentic. We enjoyed the singing and the gifts to the kids were very age appropriate and well thought out, both kids very happy. My little 2 year old boys face was a picture when he saw Santa, was brilliant. Also the coffee/ tea and mince pie at the end is great. Thanks all
Came on Santa train a couple of years ago and it was so good,the staff really got the children excited before Santa appeared but this year was a little bit disappointing. The elf didn't seem like she wanted to be there and although the kids were excited to see Santa, he didn't interact the much with the children. All seemed a bit rushed. Gift was good though �