Royal Deeside Railway
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57°03′23″N 2°25′45″W / 57.0564°N 2.4292°W
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The Royal Deeside Railway is a British railway. It was formed in 1996 by a group of volunteers with the intention of reclaiming part of the former branch line from Aberdeen to Ballater. Originally constructed between 1853 and 1856 by the Deeside Railway Company, the line was regularly patronised by the Royal Family and other VIP visitors to Balmoral. However due to its dwindling numbers the line was eventually closed by British Railways in 1966. After many years of hard work by dedicated volunteers, the first ever steam-hauled passenger services on the newly reclaimed line were operated in 2010.
The Royal Deeside Railway currently runs a passenger train service that stretches over 1 mile of track from Milton of Crathes to Birkenbaud Crossing (soon extending to a new station; Riverside Halt). All services call and terminate currently at the Milton of Crathes, each journey taking between 20-30 minutes for a return trip. Services are operated using rolling stock including former Aberdeen Gas Works Steam Engine "Bon Accord" and British Rail Class 03 diesel shunters that haul three British Rail Mark 2 passenger coaches in BR Crimson and Cream livery, with a fourth coach currently being restored.
The Royal Deeside Railway also has the original British Rail "Gemini" Battery Railcar (BEMU) which was converted from diesel engine to batteries and specifically tested on the old Deeside Railway Line in the 1960s. The BEMU currently requires a complete electrical overhaul, however it is sometimes used as a passenger coach, offering an alternative to the Mark 2 coaches.
Current
Since the inception of the Royal Deeside Railway, the intention by the volunteers was to create a running line that would run from Banchory to Milton of Crathes.
After initially constructing a platform at the Milton of Crathes, a station building became necessary to cater for increasing numbers of passengers. A station building was donated from the old Oldmeldrum Railway which was reclaimed and rebuilt and is now the railways major hub at Milton of Crathes[1] and the headquarters of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society (RDRPS). The station itself consists of a single platform and two tracks (which form a locomotive run-round loop and headshunts), a small shop, museum and a ticket office. A car park is available with disabled access.
Most of the track the Railway currently has in it possession came from the now closed Guild Street yard next to Aberdeen station. This means that the railway line itself dates back to the 1950s with some sections even older. While some of the wooden and concrete sleepers are no longer safe to use, solutions are being explored to see if the concrete sleepers can be repaired and reused.
Future
A major challenge to future plans for the extension towards Banchory, was the original 1800's railway bridge known as the Bridge of Bennie which carried the Deeside Way cycle and footpath after closure of the old line. The old bridge needed strengthening for railway traffic to cross and a new bridge was needed for the cycle path. The new Deeside Way bridge was lifted into place on the 15th December 2020,[2] but delays due to Covid19 restrictions mean both new and old bridge currently remain closed to the public. With the expansion to Banchory currently on hold, this will form the end of the running line creating a passenger service between the Milton of Crathes and the newly constructed Riverside Halt.
As well as constructing a new station, new track has been laid on the main line, including a brand new loop line and new siding space. The new station allows passengers to disembark the train and walk the mile back to the Milton of Crathes or continue further along the Deeside Way towards Banchory. A new passing loop at the Riverside Halt will allow for more authentic train movements. It will also add storage space to house the current railway stock such as a crane and wagons.
Longer term ambitions for Banchory include a new station, signal box, carriage shed, added improvements to passenger experiences and improvements to the Deeside Way.
Locomotives
- Steam locomotives
- Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 807 "Bon-Accord". Operational (Ex Aberdeen Gas Works).
- Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST No. 2139 "Salmon". Boiler ticket expired 1 January 2019, a contract overhaul is being arranged.
- Diesel locomotives
- Multiple units
- BR BEMU unit 79998+79999. Operational (as hauled coaching stock)
See also
References
- ^ 57°03′23″N 2°25′45″W / 57.0564°N 2.4292°W
- ^ Hall, Jamie (28 September 2020). "Next phase of north-east bridge project completed". Evening Express. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
External links
- The Railway website
- Bon Accord Locomotive Society website
- Visit Banchory website
- British Railways in 1960: Aberdeen (Ferryhill Jn.) to Ballater
- The Banchory and Crathes Light Railway Order 2012 (SSI 2012 No. 345)
- RAILSCOT - the history of railways in Britain[1]
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