(bright music) (narrator) Beneath towering mountains and through deep glens, across open moorland and highland heaths, and along shimmering lochs, Scotland's railways travel a landscape like no other.

From coastal towns and remote villages, to historic cities at the heart of the nation, trains bring passengers to some of Britain's most iconic landmarks.

(gulls squawking) For the teams maintaining the stations... (man) You got blue sky, you're up, we're gettin' a suntan.

Tourists would pay a lot of money for a view less.

(narrator) ...for the engineers safeguarding the track... (man) Now, I just have to look out the window ahead of me, and it's just a beautiful part of the world.

(narrator) ...and for the volunteers preserving our steam heritage... (man) Oh, it's a privilege to get paid to do something you enjoy, and not many people can say that.

(narrator) ...the dramatic landscape and spectacular views are part of the joy of working on Scotland's Scenic Railways.

♪ (train chugging) ♪ (train whistle blowing) ♪ (upbeat music) The Cairngorms National Park was created in 2003, and is home to Britain's highest mountain range.

Cutting through the Cairngorms is the Highland Main Line Railway.

Running 118 miles through glorious countryside, the Highland Main Line links the towns and villages dotted along the route from Inverness to Perth.

(lively music) Thirty-one miles on the journey south from Inverness is Aviemore, a town whose prosperity is inextricably linked with the arrival of the railway.

In the 1860s, the station started as a stop-off for the well-to-do on route to their highland estates.

But with the growing popularity of outdoor pursuits and winter sports, and the creation of the Cairngorms National Park, it has become a year-round destination for visitors.

Its charms attracted entrepreneurs Lorraine Elliott and her partner, Stephen, who opened a guest house here in Aviemore.

(Lorraine) We saw the guest house for sale, and that had always been a desire of mine, was to run a guest house, and to live in Aviemore because it's absolutely beautiful.

We were lucky enough to buy it, and it's changed our lives.

(upbeat music) (narrator) Encouraged by the success of their first venture, attention turned to Aviemore Station, when a restaurant premises had come up for sale.

The old station restaurant had attempted an Australian theme, but Lorraine knew she wanted something with more regional appeal.

(Lorraine) A plan was already forming around what we would like to create.

Having experienced the people coming from all over the world to the guest house, they were looking for something Scottish.

And we decided, actually, that it was about making more of the railway, the situation.

(narrator) The quest to find a suitable theme began, and Lorraine found her inspiration in a brochure promoting the local Community Rail Partnership.

(Lorraine) I was into the railway station at Aviemore, and saw the Community Rail Partnership brochure.

It shows a full history, from Pitlochry, to Inverness, of all the different stations.

And that just inspired us.

Stephen came up with the name for Highland Line, and that just started the whole journey of let's actually focus on the fact that this is a historic listed building, part of a heritage railway across Scotland, and just something that we can create and make really beautiful.

♪ (intriguing music) (narrator) An hour's train ride south from Aviemore is the town of Pitlochry, which is home to the authors of the brochure, Sally Spaven, and Kate Howie.

(Sally) It's really stunning!

And you know, I think they've even put new glass in above the doors there, look, 'cause that looks like new putty, doesn't it?

(narrator) Kate and Sally run the local Community Rail Partnership, or CRP, a group devoted to preserving the heritage of the Highland Line stations, and promoting them as a destination for visitors.

(Sally) The Community Rail Partnership is a group of rural communities in Highland Scotland who've come together to promote the railway, and the communities, and the visitor attractions.

(train whirring) (Kate) We were one of the first Community Rail Partnerships, and it's bringing the eight stations along our line together.

(Sally) What I'm proudest of is what a community can achieve when they all work together, and that's what we would like all the other stations to be like.

(bright music) ♪ (narrator) Lorraine's scheme for the new restaurant is just the sort of project that Sally and Kate are looking for.

So today, they've been invited to look at her plans.

-Hi, Sally, lovely to meet you.

-Yes, you too.

I think I'm gonna like you.

(laughing) (Lorraine) The team from CRP will really link in to our whole thought process of linking it into the heritage of the railway.

(narrator) Before Lorraine shares her plans, she wants to acknowledge how Kate and Sally inspired the restaurant theme.

(Lorraine) I came into the station, I was going to Glasgow one day, and found this brochure, and it just struck a chord.

And all the work we've done since then -has been created around it.

-Oh, I'm glad we've been so useful.

(laughing) (Lorraine) And just to add a little bit of flavor, I've brought along this of samples of the different colors that we're going for.

We have gone with the original colors for the railway, and kept that railway theme going.

(Kate) So that's going to be the name of the restaurant?

(Lorraine) Yes, the Highland Line.

-That's lovely.

-Really good!

That's super!

(Lorraine) For me, it brings in the railways, it brings in the heritage, and it also brings in the Scottishness of what we're trying to create in the restaurant as well.

(Sally) Just the place for a brief encounter.

(laughing) (narrator) There will be months of hard work ahead, but there are encouraging signs that, with Kate and Sally's support, the restaurant could provide a huge boost for the community.

(Sally) Well, it was everything I thought it would be, and I think we're gonna have a really, really good working relationship with Lorraine and her new venture, so we're very excited about that.

(Lorraine) Their enthusiasm is just engaging, isn't it?

It's going to be of great benefit to me because there's definitely a few questions that we have around being in a station building.

I'm just elated that I came across that brochure in the station, actually.

It's just been a real win for both of us.

(hopeful music) (spirited music) (narrator) Scotland's first railways were built to transport coal from the mines to the coast.

But by 1900, steam passenger services were running to nearly every Scottish town.

Keeping this heritage alive today are a handful of steam preservation railways, where 200,000 visitors a year ride in restored locomotives, rekindling the golden age of steam travel.

♪ (easygoing music) (man) Just going to open the throttle.

(whistle blowing) (narrator) These heritage railways are run by volunteers, some of whom bring expertise from the era of steam on the Main Line.

(man) Perfect!

Man, (indistinct chattering) (narrator) But they've been joined by a new crop of steam enthusiasts, one of the most dedicated is photographer and mother of two, Jayne Emsley.

This is my hat.

It's got a few more adventures in it yet.

But it's not just about shoveling coal, you've got to do all the uncoupling and the coupling, changing points, so you are literally on the go all of the time.

There's not a moment where you're sort of sat doing nothing.

(narrator) Jayne's been a trainee fireman for a number of years.

But today, she's stepping up to the big time.

(energetic music) She's heading to Aviemore, in the Highlands, for the next stage of her steam railway training.

♪ In 1978, a group of like-minded volunteers reinstated the line between Aviemore, Boat of Garten, and Broomhill, and since then, have brought this ten-mile section of track back to life.

The Strathspey Railway now runs three steam services a day through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

♪ In preparation for her upcoming assessment to become a fully qualified fireman, Jayne has been invited to work a turn at Strathspey.

(Jayne) I've been really nervous about today 'cause it's a different engine, different crew, different line.

(narrator) Compared to the smaller locomotive she's been used to firing at Bo'ness... (Jayne) Givin' it a little drink.

(narrator) ...the Strathspey locomotives present a more daunting challenge.

-Clear this side.

-Mike Gale is a crew member who can help Jayne find her feet.

Working as fireman on today's service, Mike shares a passion for steam.

(Mike) I like playing with big toys, and you don't get much bigger than a steam engine, do you?

It's like a moving, living beast.

You can see the steam, and it's like a fire-breathing dragon.

It's like a million-pound steam engine you get to play with.

Somebody lets you loose with it, it's brilliant!

(whistle blowing) (narrator) For today's first run down to Broomhill Station, Jayne joins Mike and driver, Steve, on the footplate.

(spirited music) She's keen to pick up any useful tips that will help her when she takes over the firing duties from Mike on the return trip.

(Mike) I like to say, rather than on or off, I just shout, "Green or red" 'cause it's pretty obvious.

-I can get confused, yeah.

-It does, yeah.

(Steve) (muffled speaking) (Mike) Yeah, go on, steam it.

(whistle blowing) (narrator) Leaving Aviemore, the lane passes a level crossing and a local brewery.

(Steve) I hate this bit.

It's nothing to do with the crossing, I just don't like going past breweries.

(Mike) Should we just stop, yeah?

Go for a pint?

(Mike) Here we go.

♪ (narrator) After a water stop at Boat of Garten, the line runs through open countryside, offering clear views from the footplate.

(Mike) As we clear here, you'll see the Cairngorms, look at that!

You got the Lairig Ghru, Cairn Gorm, Braeriach, absolutely beautiful!

Probably the world's most beautiful railway.

This is gorgeous.

And that view is outstanding.

(Jayne) It's beautiful, it really is.

Just adds to it, it really does.

I don't think I'll be able to look at it so much when I'm firing, though.

I'll be too busy looking at everything else.

(magical music) (narrator) The Strathspey Line runs from Aviemore to Broomhill, where the locomotive is repositioned to pull the train backwards on the return journey.

(Jayne) Just making sure we've got enough coal.

(laughing) (coal tumbling) (narrator) It's time for Jayne to take the shovel and assume firing duties for the run back to Aviemore.

(Mike) If it goes wrong, I'll just get off and walk.

(Steve) Here we go.

(whistle blowing) (narrator) As driver Steve gets the engine up to speed, Jayne swings into firing mode.

It's valuable practice for her upcoming assessment, when she hopes to pass out as a qualified fireman.

For now, she just needs to beat Mike's challenging standards.

(Mike) Did you not like these bits?

-Eh?

-Did you not like these bits?

(Jayne) No.

(laughing) (Mike) That's pretty good!

I mean, at least you got 80 percent of it in the fire hole door.

(Jayne) Yeah, that's all right!

(Mike) It's good, no, yeah!

I thought I was gonna do nothing.

I thought you were gonna do everything!

(laughing) (narrator) Jayne is soon into her rhythm and starting to enjoy her turn on the footplate.

(Jayne) I guess it's a bit of everything.

The noise, the smell, it's just bein' part of it, gettin' mucky, and yeah.

Just bein' responsible for givin' this the power for the driver to make it go, yeah, it's a nice feelin'.

♪ Crossing's clear!

(narrator) Arriving back at Aviemore station, it's job done for Jayne.

(Jayne) I really, really enjoyed it!

felt off a couple of times.

But it's just getting used to the line, really, and getting used to a different engine as well.

So, I will do better on my next run, but I'm pleased with it.

I got us here!

(laughing) (narrator) And it's a chance for the crew to assess their new recruit.

(Mike) Jayne is doing amazingly well.

You know, when firemen and drivers come from other railways and go on another railway, and you can tell the good ones 'cause they can do it.

The bad ones, they can't.

So, Jayne's done a good job today.

She should be proud of herself.

(Steve) Jayne was lovely.

She was very good at what she was doing, and I couldn't fault her.

She's really got into it properly.

And if I was a locomotive inspector, I would have no problem certifying her for a fireman.

She's good at that.

(Jayne) It's been absolutely amazing, fantastic.

I got to do two and a half trips, which I wasn't expectin' to do at all.

And it's been really good to learn off Mike as well 'cause I've picked up a few new tips and tricks today, which is good, so, yeah, it's been brilliant, really good.

I'm exhausted, but a good exhausted.

I'm lookin' forward to a pint.

(laughing) ♪ (narrator) Next, keeping the track clear for the arrival of the Hogwarts Express... Ah, a nice baseball cap.

Somebody's obviously been putting their head out the window of the steam train just to have a good view.

All the way from Orlando.

-Yeah, clear this side.

-Clear on this side!

(narrator) ...and a baptism of fire on the Strathspey footplate.

I think you've got some rock on.

(Jayne) Yeah, I've got some on!

♪ (mystical music) (narrator) For over a century, Scotland's railways have been attracting visitors from all over the world.

(whistle blowing) Today, tourism is bigger business than ever, exceeding 17 million visitors a year, and the star attraction is the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the West Highlands.

Record numbers flock here to witness steam trains crossing this iconic structure, made famous for carrying Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Express.

♪ (curious music) But now, the world's most famous viaduct poses a deadly threat.

There are reports of over-eager visitors trespassing onto the track for a closer look.

♪ Protecting the line and the public, is mobile operations manger, Gary Maxtone.

Gary is part of Network Rail's first response team, dealing with faults or incidents on the railway.

♪ Yeah, just heading to Glenfinnan today, at the viaduct, just for a wee trespass check.

We often get reports of trespassers on the line, but the problem is catchin' 'em.

Usually, by the time anybody gets there, they're gone.

So, this is more a pre-emptive check, and also just to let folks see us, as a visual deterrent of goin' on the tracks as well.

(anxious music) See, I'm a moman, mobile operations manager.

I can be sent out to anything from fallen trees, points failures.

(narrator) Gary will carry out a full inspection of the track along the viaduct before the Jacobite steam locomotive reaches Glenfinnan.

Visitors are already gathering at a popular viewing point, eager to see today's crossing.

They actually just come up the side of Glenfinnan Viaduct, and there's not a real access point here, which from the right side of the gate, we can get a view across the viaduct, just see if there's anybody sneaking about that shouldn't be here.

(narrator) As the Jacobite heads north from Fort William, Gary contacts the signalers to make sure it's safe for him to access the track.

The radio system that each of the trains carry, it's a radio, and this is how we, basically, block the line if we're goin' on track just to make sure there's no trains gonna come through when we're on the railway ourselves.

(man) C109 on system, standby.

C109, understood.

(narrator) Gary has been cleared to carry out his inspection on the viaduct.

(Gary) Tell you something, you can't beat the view down there, can ya?

Crackin' view.

So, I'll wander across and see what we find.

(intriguing music) (narrator) Built in 1897, and spanning 1,200 feet across the glen, the viaduct was the first structure in Britain to be made entirely from mass concrete.

♪ This earned its builder, Sir Robert McAlpine, the nickname "Concrete Bob."

And it remains a masterpiece of railway engineering.

♪ Rising above the River Finnan, and overlooking the waters of Loch Shiel, its elegant curve means that passengers can lean out of the window to catch a glimpse of the entire length of the train.

But this doesn't come without its hazards.

Ah, a nice baseball cap.

Somebody's obviously been putting their head out the window of the steam train just to have a good view.

All the way from Orlando.

You can find all sorts of items on the line, ranging from cameras that folk have dropped out of trains trying to get photographs down the loch there.

But trespassing's probably the big thing.

So, it starred an appearance in the Harry Potter films, and we have had folk walkin' across it, families as well, just obviously not used to how the British railway works.

So, that's your main thing, it's tourism.

And, like I said, it's fame, if you want to call it that.

That's the main kind of things that come with this viaduct.

(narrator) Gary will continue his track inspection to ensure there's nothing obstructing the line ahead of today's showpiece event.

♪ (bright music) For over 100 years, steam trains traveled along the River Spey carrying passengers, tourists, and whisky through a region that is home to over half of Scotland's whisky distilleries.

Today, steam on Speyside lives on at the Strathspey Railway.

♪ And this morning, at the Aviemore train sheds, it's a big day for volunteer fireman, Jayne Emsley.

♪ Since her last practice turn, Jayne has been assessed, and successfully passed out.

So today, she's returned to Aviemore for her first turn as a qualified fireman.

(Jayne) I'm a little bit nervous, if I'm honest, just 'cause this is the first turn I've done on my own here.

But I think once you're on the train, you just kinda relax.

Once everything starts to go right, you get the first bit of the first trip out of the way, and then, yeah, it's just, yeah, it kinda takes over, and you just get in the zone, I suppose.

(laughing) I got here after about half past 6:00, did all the various checks, lit the fire.

So, we're just in the process now of waiting for the fire to come 'round and get us off the mark.

But it's makin' some nice noises, so that's a good start.

(narrator) There's a familiar face helping Jayne on her first official turn.

Mike was the fireman on her last visit.

(Mike) Did you not like these bits?

-Eh?

-Did you not like these bits?

(Jayne) No.

(laughing) (narrator) But today, he'll be the driver for the run from Aviemore to Broomhill.

(Jayne) I first met Mike when I came up to do a visit here.

So, lookin' forward to bein' his fireman 'cause you always have a good laugh with Mike.

Good sense of humor.

As with any job, it's just about havin' a bit of pride for your loco, so it's nice to make sure it's nice and clean and shiny, especially for when the public is seein' it.

Yeah, just have it as clean as can be.

(narrator) The engine might be looking good, but the cold conditions are proving a challenge.

Jayne needs the fire to start raising some steam pressure, but there's more smoke than fire.

(Mike) 'Cause it's so cold.

When it's so cold, the steam oil, it just goes thick as anything.

(Jayne) I'd like this to stop being so smoky.

I'm gettin' edgy.

(Mike) Excellent!

You're gettin' the fireman twitch going.

Yeah!

(laughing) (Mike) It's funny, if it's cold, you kind of think, "I'll put it on," but sometimes it's almost best to leave it off to build some steam up, then to put it on.

And then it will draw up, and then we'll have a clean inside.

(laughing) Apparently, you want to be able to see these gauges, but, you know, that's good.

All right, I'm gettin' off, it's too smoky for me.

Right!

(narrator) The faltering fire isn't helping Jayne's first-day nerves.

(Jayne) I'm just waitin' for it to stop being so bloody smoky.

(laughing) -Not laughing!

-Stop it!

(laughing) (narrator) She's brought along a memento from her days volunteering at the Bo'ness Railway to help with her firing duties.

(Jayne) So today is my first qualified firing turn at Strathspey, so I'm finally able to use my shovel that was gifted to me of a very dear friend who was a fireman.

I've had this shovel in my possession for about 18 months, and I've just been itchin' to get my hands on it.

So, yeah, it'd be quite nice to use it for real today.

Yeah, it's just very special.

It's, yeah, a nice thing to have, especially when it's come from another fireman, and it's had its own story.

And it's got some more stories to come, yet, I think.

(narrator) It's not long before the fire comes 'round, and Jayne's ready to put her new shovel into action.

(upbeat music) The Strathspey Railway carries over 80,000 visitors every year, with passengers boarding vintage carriages for their journey through Britain's largest National Park.

♪ With the locomotive safely coupled to the carriages, Mike and Jayne are ready for the off.

-Okay, we're right away, Jayne!

-Okie dokie!

(narrator) Today, they're taking engine 46512, a 1952 Class II locomotive... -You happy?

-Yeah!

-Awesome!

-Woo!

(narrator) ...which last worked on the Main Line back in 1966.

(train chugging) ♪ -Am I clear this side?

-Clear on this side!

(whistle blowing) ♪ Think you've got some rock on.

(Jayme) Yeah, I've got some on!

(laughing) ♪ (Mike) Just do that every trip forever now, and you'll be right!

(Jayme) I'll have to remember what I did.

-Just put rock on?

-Put loads of rock on.

-Yeah.

-How hard can it be?

♪ (narrator) Today's first stop is at Boat of Garten Station to take on water.

(Mike) Engines use a lot of water, obviously, steam engine, so it guzzles like crazy.

So, every trip, we just fill up.

It'll probably do two or three trips, but just for safety, we keep fillin' up every time.

Obviously, we've got a big, hot fire in there.

It warms the boiler, just like your kettle.

And the steam, then, is generated, and it goes into the cylinders, which drives the wheel.

That was a great trip, wasn't it?

Loads of steam pressure, which is the main thing, loads of steam pressure, loads of water.

As a driver, I don't have to worry.

So, as we come over the hill, you've got to worry about the water disappearing out the back of the boiler and going to the front.

And it was fine, there was loads in.

Otherwise, what it does is it drops the plug, as it's called, it basically just puts the fire out as a safety mechanism, and that's not good.

That's embarrassing, isn't it?

And we've got loads of water, so I'm just gonna turn off the tap.

Perfect, there we go.

Full.

(narrator) Topped up with water, Jayne is soon back into firing action... -Fire away, Jayne.

-Okie doke.

(whistle blowing) (narrator) ...and starting to enjoy her first turn as a fully fledged fireman.

Next stop, Broomhill, and the end of the line.

♪ Next, a leap of faith from the Forth Bridge... (Debbie) That's quite high, eh, when you look down.

(exciting music) (cheering) (narrator) ...and the magical moment along the West Highland Line.

(Gary) My patch of railway probably has the best views in Britain.

So, when you're out on the track, rain, hail, or shine, you're gonna get a crackin' view of something somewhere.

-It was absolutely fantastic.

-It was, it was spell-binding.

It's magical.

♪ (curious music) (narrator) The spectacular West Highland Line has been voted the World's Most Beautiful Railway, and its star turn is the Jacobite steam train which travels the 41 miles between Fort William and Mallaig.

Ever since the Hogwarts Express first steamed across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Harry Potter fans have descended on this pretty pocket of the Highlands to witness the spectacular event.

But some visitors have been too keen to get close to the action.

So, following recent incidents of trespassers on the line, Gary Maxtone is inspecting the viaduct to make sure that today's visitors are watching from the designated viewing point.

(Gary) The viewing point (indistinct) is to give them somewhere to actually stand, get a good view of the trains as they pass over the viaduct, without them having to come down onto the tracks as they see fit.

(bagpipe playing) We took down the trees on the railway side of the fence, just at the end of the viaduct over there.

There were some quite tall ones.

It was just to let the new view point that's been built up at the top there have a good view, but if things start growing up in their way, then they might be tempted to try and get what they feel is a better shot down near the tracks, and come over the railway fence, start trespassing.

(bagpipe playing) Aye, see, the path there, that's where we cut the trees down, so we get a good view from where the folk are up there in the view point, down straight onto the viaduct.

No trees starting to get in the way of the viewing point, there's nobody trespassing either, so quite happy with that.

(narrator) As the Jacobite winds its way north, the anticipation is starting to build.

(woman) Feel so excited to be here 'cause it's a childhood memory, actually seeing the Hogwarts train go on the viaduct.

So, it's actually quite a dream come true, and it's amazing to see it right there.

Right there, isn't it, just right there!

So cool!

(man) Claudia's a massive Harry Potter fan.

(Claudia) I am, indeed.

(man) So, we're just here to soak in some of the experience and the beauty of the nature.

(man) I mean, there's about seven different places you can go and see the train come by.

I think this is the first one.

So, we're gonna have to come back six more times just to be able to see it from all the different angles.

(narrator) Satisfied that everything is in order, and that the assembled Harry Potter fans have found safe vantage points, Gary clears the line.

(train chugging) ♪ C109, Gary Maxtone Network Rail rater, turn Glenfinnan local engineers, lanes clear and safe for trains, over.

(man) C109 Southern England (inaudible) engineers, lanes clear (muffled radio).

(majestic music) ♪ (Gary) My patch of railway probably has the best views in Britain.

Wherever you're walkin' about, it's not many places in the West Highlands you can find something of a rubbish view.

So, when you're out on the track, let's say, rain, hail, or shine, you're gonna get a crackin' view of something somewhere.

(narrator) For Gary, it's just another day at the office.

But for the thousands of visitors who witness the spectacle every year, it's a memorable experience.

-Blown away, it's amazing, yeah.

-It's so beautiful!

It was just even more beautiful than we thought it was going to be.

It was a fantastic view, especially when you compare when you see it on TV.

You think, "Oh, it's just a movie."

To actually see it in real makes it more real.

Seeing all the steam and everything is really fantastic.

(Claudia) I felt very, very excited, to be honest.

I never thought that I would be here.

And actually, we weren't counting to be here when the train-- We didn't know what time, basically it's schedule.

So, it was even more, I felt even more excited.

(man) It was absolutely fantastic.

(woman) It was, it was spell-bindin'.

It's magical.

♪ (intriguing music) ♪ (narrator) Heading out of Edinburgh on the line north to Aberdeen, you'll cross one of the most staggering engineering achievements of the 19th century, the Forth Bridge.

♪ Nearly two and a half kilometers from end to end, and made from 53,000 tons of steel, it took seven years to complete.

A true emblem of Scotland, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, its graceful image has been printed on everything, from souvenir tea towels, to 20 pound notes.

But it's a towering height that's brought people flocking to the bridge today.

(upbeat music) Hundreds of daring fundraisers have gathered for a rare chance to abseil this national landmark.

(cheering) Among them, Amy and Rogan, from Aberlour Children's Charity.

(Amy) I'm quite scared.

(Rogan) Yeah, lookin' at it now, I think we've been quite calm and collected up until now.

But, yeah, it's quite a height.

And we've seen the trains go over.

And, yeah, so it'll be a challenge.

(Amy) Once you're standing underneath it, it's a lot bigger than you see on the telly.

But I'm really lookin' forward to doin' it as well.

And raising money for our charity is spurring us on.

(anxious music) ♪ (narrator) Over 1,100 fundraisers abseil from the bridge every year to raise money for Scottish charities, descending an eye-watering 165 feet from the steel platform to the soft, sandy beach below.

(inspiring music) For one person abseiling today, scaling the 300 plus steps to the top will be a challenge in itself.

(indistinct speaking) Debbie Matthew is raising money for Chest, Heart, & Stroke Scotland.

(Debbie) I had a stroke three years ago, so this is hugely special for me.

This is my third year anniversary challenge.

I've still got no feeling in my foot, so the first challenge is the stairs, and then the abseil itself.

So, it's huge for me today.

Chest, Heart, & Stroke have been amazing, and I want to give them something back.

So, yeah, a bit emotional now.

♪ (narrator) Rooting for Debbie are husband Johnny and their son Finley.

(Johnny) She's been quite nervous the past, maybe week, -week an a half?

-Yeah, maybe week and a half.

I think they're really pleased, and they're really proud of me, what I'm doing.

I don't think they can quite believe it either yet.

And I've pledged to raise £1,000, and I've smashed it.

So, um.

(motivating music) (narrator) Once the harnesses and helmets are on... -The color suits you.

-Oh, thanks!

(narrator) ...it's show time!

(man) Roll up, roll up!

(man) Let's do this!

(instructor) Okay, guys, let's go!

(cheering) (narrator) From a slightly giddy 165 feet above the Forth, the views are breathtaking.

♪ (woman) Oh, wow, look at the view up here, it's amazing.

(narrator) Meanwhile, Debbie's nearly conquered her first hurdle of the day.

I'm almost at the top, so that's huge for me.

I'm really excited.

And this has been a huge challenge for me.

And this was my first thing I wanted to do, and I've just about done it.

(upbeat music) (man) The faster it goes, the faster you go.

You cannot go too fast.

-Ready, Amy?

-Yes!

-Enjoy!

-Thank you so much!

♪ (narrator) 200 trains thunder across this bridge every 24 hours, and there's no let up in the schedule today.

-How mental is this?

-Pretty mental.

♪ (woman) Woo!

(cheering) (woman) Woo!

We did it!

Hooray!

(Amy) We just jumped off that!

Oh, that was just amazing.

The adrenaline rush is just like boo!

(yelling) (narrator) Each year, the abseilers raise more than £400,000 for charity.

(anxious music) (Debbie) It's quite high, eh, when you look down.

(narrator) It's Debbie's turn to take the plunge.

♪ (man) You can do it, Debbie!

♪ (cheering) (narrator) It took over four and a half thousand men seven years to build this bridge, a landmark that's stood firm since 1890.

Debbie's managed to conquer it in just 90 seconds.

(Debbie) When I was up there actually about to jump off, a train did go over, it was a bit rattly.

You can hear it really, really loud, actually.

The ropes start to move, and you start to jiggle about.

So, yeah, that's about surreal, looking up and seein' the train.

And there we go, we've got one now.

(Johnny) I just can't imagine coming off of there myself.

I'm just so proud of her.

(Finley) It's amazing!

Like, I probably wouldn't do it.

But, yeah, I'm very proud of her.

(inspiring music) ♪ (narrator) Next, destination Aviemore, as the Highland Line restaurant is revealed.

(woman) Oh, wow!

Hey, that's great!

(whistle blowing) (narrator) And the verdict is in after Jayne's first turn as a qualified fireman.

(Mike) Nightmare!

Yeah, it was terrible, our trip.

I mean, I'd just sack her straight away, but you know.

(train chugging) (calm music) ♪ (narrator) On the Highland Main Line, Sally and Kate, from the Community Rail Partnership, are paying a visit to local entrepreneur, Lorraine, who has been hard at work refurbishing a restaurant on Aviemore Station.

♪ She had taken away our line guide, which really extolls the heritage of the Highland Main Line, and she just absolutely nailed it with her ideas.

She had just totally understood what people are looking for in a restaurant on a railway station.

(narrator) They've been so impressed by her plans, that as well as seeing the completed restaurant, they're hoping Lorraine will join them on the Community Rail Partnership.

(Kate) Certainly hoping that she'll be our representative in Aviemore.

She is just the right person.

She's got lots of energy.

She's there on the station itself, which must be a plus.

And we're keeping our fingers crossed that she's happy with that too.

-Oh, look at that!

-I haven't been doing--Oh, wow!

Hey, that's great!

(Lorraine) So, I've done some great work outside, but we've done even more work -inside as well.

-Oh, have you?

-Good?

-Thank you.

(Lorraine) So excited to show you -after all this time.

-Oh, wow!

What a transformation!

This is amazing!

(Lorraine) And the restaurant itself, we've got a couple great railway themes.

And the first one, actually, I have to show you is the carriage doors.

-I know, I love that.

-And we got some great sign writers up from Glasgow, actually.

These are going to be our most favorite tables, especially for children, because you've got the trains coming in and out all day long, all night long.

(Kate) And I love these colors.

-Thank you!

-I love these colors together.

(Lorraine) And then, we've picked up the old railway travel posters, just trying promote and support the Highland Main Line.

And we've just continued the railway theme with the old luggage, and just trying to create a sort of carriage theme as well.

(Sally) Did you have trouble buying the vintage luggage?

(Lorraine) No, I had great fun, though.

(Sally) I can imagine, I can imagine!

(Lorraine) Do you know what has been really great for me is just the people that we've met -along the way.

-The response.

(Lorraine) Yes, uh-huh.

(narrator) Lorraine's efforts have clearly impressed.

So, Sally pops the question she's been waiting to ask.

(Sally) As we think you've done an amazing job here, we were wondering if you would like to be part of our Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership and join the team 'cause we'd love to have you onboard.

(Lorraine) That's lovely, thank you so much!

I don't even have to think about it twice.

I would really love to!

Thank you very much!

It's a pleasure to be asked to join the team.

-That's great.

-Thank you.

(Lorraine) No, I'd love to!

Have you got a list for me?

(Sally) Absolutely, always got a list.

(Kate) That's tomorrow.

(Lorraine) Gin and tonics today, then?

-Yes, yes, yes, yes.

-Celebration today.

(Sally) I'm delighted that Lorraine's coming onboard as part of the CRP team.

I think from day one when we met her, she had this shared vision and an aspiration for both the railway station and for Aviemore community.

And I think she's gonna be a fantastic asset to our group.

(bright music) (spirited music) (narrator) Aviemore Station is also home for the Strathspey Railway, which runs through the Cairngorms National Park on ten miles of the old Speyside line, which ran along the River Spey.

Maintained and operated by volunteers, today is a big day for Jayne Emsley, who is working her first turn on the footplate since she passed out recently as a qualified fireman.

(train rattling) Jayne had a tricky morning when the cold conditions hampered efforts to get the fire going.

(Jayne) I'd like this to stop being so smoky.

I'm getting edgy.

(narrator) But the fire soon came 'round, giving Jayne the chance to use the shovel she was gifted.

(Jayne) It's just very special.

It's a nice thing to have, especially when it's come from another fireman.

It's had its own story, and it's got some more stories to come, yet, I think.

(narrator) Out on the line, it's full steam ahead for Jayne and driver, Mike.

The earlier stress of getting the locomotive fired up has disappeared.

(Mike) How are the nerves?

Like, ah!

That's brilliant!

(Jayne) Don't matter about this mornin' now.

(Mike) Exactly, you know.

And sometimes, good to get the, not mistakes, but the negatives out of the way.

(Jayne) Yeah.

(Mike) 'Cause then you can just relax after that.

It's already gotten bad, it's not gonna get any worse.

It's only gonna go up after that.

(Jayne) Yeah, exactly.

(Mike) You know, and it's once you get them first days out of the way, you can just start relaxing and fire properly then.

-You're just like.

-I know!

I felt, when I passed out at Bo'ness, I felt I learned more about firing than I'd learned when I was training.

(Mike) Yeah, it's like passing your driving test, you learn more.

(narrator) As Jayne and Mike hit the open track on the former Speyside Line, there's time to enjoy the views.

(Mike) Ah, it's great light, isn't it, just on the hills.

-Beautiful light.

-Just so beautiful.

(Mike) Yeah.

(calm music) (narrator) A steam locomotive whistling through the Cairngorms is a timeless part of Scotland's railway heritage.

(Jayne) It's so nice because even if someone's not really into steam, everybody has to react when they see it, don't they?

-Everybody's like... -They just love it, yeah.

I don't know what it is, I mean, nobody ever says about what the essence of it is.

-I don't know what it is.

-People just love it.

(Jayne) Yeah!

(wheels whirring) (narrator) Broomhill Station became Glenbogle Station when it featured in the TV series, Monarch of the Glen, and it marks the end of the outbound run on the Strathspey Railway.

Once the locomotive has repositioned to the other end of the carriages, it's Jayne's job as fireman to recouple the engine for the run home.

We've just run around the train, so that we can pull everything back to Aviemore.

So, we're just hooking back on to the coaches.

There's no way of turning the engine at this end of the line, so we just run 'round.

All right, so it's all coupled up, everything's connected.

So, we're good to haul everything back now.

Yeah, that was a really good run.

So, it was on the mark, against the injector.

I'm really happy, so, yeah, I had a big smile.

(laughing) ♪ (narrator) On the return journey, the locomotive pulls the train backwards to Aviemore, which marks the end of Jayne's first run, but there's another trip to fire before she completes her first turn, and can reflect on her first day as a qualified fireman.

♪ (Mike) Nightmare!

Yeah, it was a terrible out trip.

I mean, I'd just sack her straight away, but you know.

(laughing) No, did really good.

Loads of steam, loads of water, that's what makes the driver happy.

We were perfect!

I didn't have to keep lookin' over, worrying.

I knew that I had steam, I had water, and that's the main thing.

So, hopefully, keep doing that for the next 25 years, and she'll be great.

Perfect!

I think once we got over the crossing, all my butterflies kinda disappeared, and, yeah, I just got into it, really enjoyed it.

It was just so nice to just look at the pressure where it should be, and then just kinda take a bit of a time-out to look at the views, and the hills and everything as well.

Everything about it is just magic.

(train chugging) (upbeat music) ♪ (intriguing music) (narrator) Next time, the art of railway travel... Why would you travel by car, when you can travel like this?

(narrator) ...painting castles by rail... (man) It is a stunning spot, brilliant spot to sketch.

(narrator) ...signs of the times, the secrets of Scotland's railway heritage are revealed... (man) They've chalked the score at the end of the day.

It looks as though Celtic got stuffed on that occasion.

(narrator) ...and protecting the line along Scotland's scenic railways.

(man) You kinda forget exactly where you are.

You know that you're in the middle of all this fantastics here because you've got a job to do.

(man) We are dead lucky, let's be honest.

It's a great job in a great location.

♪ (energetic music)