Royal Deeside Railway

A Class 03 hauled consist on the Royal Deeside Railway

Royal Deeside Railway
Deeside Railway former route to Ballater Banchory Silverstripe carriage shed Bridge of Bennie West Lodge Yard Birkenbaud crossing Milton of Crathes Deeside Railway former route to Aberdeen

The Royal Deeside Railway is a Scottish heritage railway located 16 miles west of Aberdeen on part of the original Deeside Railway Line.

Formed in 1996 by a group of volunteers, the intention of the group was to reclaim part of the former branch line from Aberdeen to Ballater. The first ever steam-hauled passenger services on the newly reclaimed line were operated in 2010.

Originally constructed between 1853 and 1856 by the Deeside Railway Company, the line was regularly patronised by the Royal Family and other very important personalities (VIP) visiting Balmoral.

However, due to its dwindling passenger numbers the line was eventually closed by British Railways in 1966.

Also, 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) that all services call and terminate at the Milton of Crathes with each journey taking between 20-30 minutes for a return trip.

This rail 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 have 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 which 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 closed Oldmeldrum Railway which was reclaimed and rebuilt and is now the railways major hub at Milton of Crathes 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 Railway Station. This means that the majority of the railway line 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 for future plans for the railways extension towards Banchory, was the original 1800's railway bridge known as the Bridge of Bennie which now carries the Deeside Way cycle and footpath after closure of the old line. The Deeside Railway wished to reuse the original railway bridge, however in order to do so, the Bridge of Bennie required strengthening for new railway traffic to cross. By using the original Bridge of Bennie, a new purpose built bridge would be required in order to continue the Deeside Way. The new Deeside Way bridge was lifted into place on the 15th December 2020, but delays due to COVID 19 restrictions, difficulties arose that has meant the new bridge currently remains closed to the public, therefore the original Bridge of Bennie must remain open for the Deeside Way.

With the expansion to Banchory therefore currently on hold, a new station - Riverside Halt - 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. A brand new loop line is currently under construction at the soon to open Riverside Halt, along with two new buffer end siding spaces. These new siding spaces will hold the majority of rolling stock that is currently not in use including the BEMU, Crane and more. The new Riverside Halt 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.

Longer term ambitions for and including Banchory railway 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
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2037 / 03037. Stored Unserviceable.
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2094 / 03094. Operational.
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2134 / 03134. Operational.
• Multiple units
  • BR BEMU unit 79998+79999. Operational (as hauled coaching stock)

See also

• Milton of Crathes railway station

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]