Railway enthusiasts can rekindle memories of the famous Deeside Railway, with a special exhibition marking 50 years since its closure.
Historic photographs, timetables and memorabilia from the former Aberdeen to Ballater route will be on display at the St Peter’s Heritage Centre in Peterculter when the centre reopens today.
The railway was a popular mode of travel for the royal family, who used it, prior to its closure half a century ago.
It was constructed between 1853 and 1856 and closed by British Railways in the 1960s.
Chairman of St Peter’s Heritage Trust, John Troup, said he hoped that lots of visitors would enjoy the new exhibition and expressed his view the original closure had been short-sighted.
He added the railway was an important part of past Culter life, particularly as much of the material for paper making was delivered to a mill in the village by rail.
He said: “I think it should jog quite a lot of memories from people who used to use the railway or worked on it.
“I think it was quite a sad thing when it finished because people saw it as an important way of travelling up and down.
“If Doctor Beeching hadn’t come along [and closed the railway], it would have been a really superb tourist route and a good commuter route.”
A model railway also forms part of the centre in the former church building and there are pictures looking back on Culter school’s history, dating from the late 19th century.
Mr Troup said: “We have exhibits of school photos from the 1890s to the present day which is a unique collection.”
The centre is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.
