Edinburgh’s Waverley Station is the starting point for the 134-mile journey on the East Coast Main Line to Aberdeen, featuring steam and diesel traction from 1931 onwards.

Scenes at Waverley and Haymarket stations are followed by a journey on the Costorphine branch, before Edinburgh is left behind and the Forth Bridge is reached. Superb aerial views of the Bridge, plus last day scenes of the Forth ferries, are a prelude to reaching Fife. Scenes at Inverkeithing and Kirkcaldy – with rare film of the Kirkcaldy Harbour Branch - are followed by detailed views of Thornton Junction’s station and locomotive depot.

Returning to the main line, film of Leuchars Junction and the St. Andrews’ branch is followed by scenes of the Tay Bridge and Dundee, filmed between 1931 and 1981. The programme continues north to Arbroath, Montrose and Kinnaber Junction, plus views at nearby Bridge of Dun. Leaving Kinnaber Jct., Stonehaven and Laurencekirk are seen, with steam still an everyday sight!

A fascinating array of steam, diesel and even electric traction indicates arrival at Aberdeen, the northern terminus of the ECML. The city’s depots at Ferryhill and Kittybrewster are visited, plus nearby Inverurie locomotive works and views around Aberdeen include the city’s electricity works with its battery-powered shunter in action. Finally, a journey on the Deeside branch to Ballater concludes the programme.