Plans to redevelop a stretch of railway in the heart of Strathspey are steaming ahead following a funding green light from the areas local enterprise company.

The track between Boat of Garten and Broomhill is to be upgraded bringing the Strathspey Railway Company (SRC) one step closer to its goal of completing the 14 miles of track which links Aviemore to Grantown on Spey.

SRC chairman Doug Scott, said: "Our main aim is to preserve the railway heritage in the central Highlands through operating steam hauled passenger services.

"We completed the re-laying of the line to Broomhill three years ago using track sections acquired from other parts of Scotland. This is normal railway practice, but we need to renew the sleepers and ballast to bring the line up to the standard required for passenger operation.

"The work which involves renewing 750 sleepers and laying 5,000 tonnes of ballast on the four miles of track will be carried out by experienced SRC volunteers. Some 5000 metres of line-side fencing will also be constructed as well as safety fencing alongside the adjoining farmland. The station at Broomhill has been rebuilt to the original Highland Railway design and is almost ready for visitors.

"The work is due to begin in the late spring and we are aiming to have our trains on track by next summer."

The Strathspey Railway Company is the only privately owned steam railway in the Highlands. They purchased the track between Aviemore and Grantown from British Rail in 1971 and have been running a steam hauled train service between Boat of Garten and Aviemore since 1978.

Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network are supporting the £96,000 re-development project with an investment of £48,000.

Development manager for MBSE Neil Sutherland said: "Last year around 40,000 people visited the railway and this re-development will further enhance what is already a major tourist attraction and help secure a number of permanent and seasonal jobs in the area.

"The ride will now be longer for visitors and this section of track will open up stunning views of the river Spey and the Cairngorms.