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The Stoney Express: Photos capture tour train’s return ahead of summer boom

The beloved train which takes tourists all across Stonehaven had been off the tracks since 2019.

The Stoney Express makes its way through Stonehaven. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
The Stoney Express makes its way through Stonehaven. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

The beloved Stonehaven tour train – The Stoney Express – returned in a colourful celebration today after being out of action for more than six years.

Under the sound of pipes – and the occasional toot toot – the vehicle welcomed all ages aboard, with dozens more lining up to see the distinctive blue land locomotive.

The tour train was first launched in 2014.

But despite its popularity, it was put out of action in 2019 and remained hidden in a storage unit in the years that followed.

Passengers ready to board the train. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

And after three years of efforts to bring it back, volunteers today had tears in their eyes as they witnessed The Stoney Express tooting along the town streets once again.

Crowds of smiling faces gathered along the streets to wave it on as it embarked on its fifth journey of the day around Stonehaven.

The Stoney Express welcoming people aboard. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Starting in Market Square, the train took happy travellers around the town, before stopping at the harbour allowing passengers to take in the breathtaking views.

The experience was made all the more special with the sounds of the Dunnottar Pipes and Drums band, which played from the back of the train throughout the journey.

Our photographer Darrell Benns was there to capture the monumental day.

Happy travellers aboard the train. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Pipers at the back of the train. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
The Stoney Express took passengers to the harbour. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Happy families aboard the train. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
It was a big day. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

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