Deeside railway is making tracks

First Phase of Aberdeen-Ballater restoration completed and group planning next 5,000ft of line

By Leanna MacLarty

Published:

Volunteers who are restoring a historic Deeside railway line have reached the second phase of the project, five years after building work began.

More than 4,000ft of track has already been laid by members of the Royal Deeside Preservation Society who are restoring a section of the old Aberdeen-Ballater line.

The group is preparing to start on the second section of work which will extend the line by another 5,000ft.

The campaign to re-instal the old line was started by local railway enthusiasts in 1996.

It was in 2003, when funds had been raised and planning permission granted, that work began on the first section of track at Milton of Crathes.

A railway platform has been created on the site which will hold a former station building, from Oldmeldrum.

Director of the group’s operating arm, the Deeside Railway Company (DRC), Jon Tyler, said the group is ready to take on the second of third phases of the project. “It’s been excellent so far,” he said. “The first phase is now revenue earning and we are very happy with that. We have to be finished the second phase by September 2010. Everyone is still very enthusiastic about the project.” The bid hit a setback in June when councillors accused the restoration group of failing to comply with planning conditions.

DRC had applied for permission to build a temporary shed to house a refurbished Victorian steam locomotive which could become the star attraction for visitors.

Members of Marr area committee delayed the application until “outstanding issues and concerns” had been resolved. These include an accusation that the rail enthusiasts have not built a replacement footpath near Milton of Crathes, a condition of permission for the restoration work.

The volunteers are growing “frustrated” at the local authority’s failure to meet with them to resolve the issue, said Mr Tyler.

“We are trying to get these negotiations with the planners going again without success,” he said.

DRC has received three differing requests for resurfacing the path and cannot proceed with the work until they find out which one to comply with, he added.

A council spokesman said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances a meeting between planning officers and the applicants had to be cancelled due to illness.

“We will be contacting the applicants in the near future to discuss all aspects of the development.”