Half-century since ‘axe-man’ Beeching’s rail network cuts

This month marks the 50th anniversary of savage cuts to the country’s rail network which meant the end of the line for routes from Aberdeen to Ballater and Fraserburgh, among others.

Several services in the north and north-east were closed, including Inverness to Wick, Elgin to Lossiemouth, Maud to Peterhead and Aviemore to Elgin – via Inverness.

The reductions brought a new phrase to the English language – Beeching Cuts – named after Dr Richard Beeching, who had taken over as British Railways chairman in 1961.

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