When, on 1 January 1923, the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNoSR) merged with other railways to become the London and North Eastern Railway, it owned 333+1⁄3 miles (536.4 km) of line. Its main line, from Aberdeen in Scotland to Elgin via Keith, served branches to Fraserburgh and Peterhead, Alford, Oldmeldrum, Macduff, Banff, Boat of Garten and Lossiemouth. The GNoSR operated two routes to Elgin, one via Moray Firth, known as the Coast line, and another via Keith and Craigelliache; these connected with the Highland Railway at Keith and Elgin for services to Inverness. Another line, used by the reigning monarch when they travelled to Balmoral Castle, connected Aberdeen with Ballater.
