Two enthusiasts behind ambitious plans for a brand new north-east heritage railway are hoping to get their proposals on track.
Gordon Kirtley and Bill Scatterty are aiming to create a line between their proposed base in Turriff and Inveramsay, a distance of around 19 miles.
They also hope to extend it to take a section from Tillynaught junction station up to Portsoy.
A final total for the project has not been reached, but it would involve lying miles of track along routes that have lain dormant since the 1960s.
But Mr Kirtley and Mr Scatterty, a former British Rail train driver, are not put off by the cost and the huge amount of infrastructure work that would be needed.
The pair would also need to discuss their plans with the people who own the land they want to build on.
They have put together a business plan, are in the process of applying for charitable status and have already held talks with a local MSP.
Mr Kirtley, who runs the Crafty Modeller shop in Fraserburgh, said they have been speaking to those behind similar attractions as well as the national tourism body.
He said: “We have been speaking to the people at the Speyside Railway.
“They are expanding all the time and that is good for us because we now know some of the pitfalls they have got through that we won’t have to go through.
“It is about applying for funding and making sure you have got people from the community on board.
“Visit Scotland said there is a possibility for funding for us, but they didn’t mention the amount.
“At the end of the day the north-east hasn’t got a massive amount of tourism and I think it could be hugely increased by having a couple of engines running up and down a track.”
North-east MSP Lewis Macdonald held talks with the pair earlier this week and he is lending his support to the project.
He said: “It was very interesting and productive to meet with Gordon and Bill.
“I have agreed to investigate some of the land ownership issues for them at the Scottish Parliament and with the Scottish Government.
“Just to make sure they got access to what they need in terms of who owns what and any rights that might apply on the old railways that they are interested in.”
To found out more about the North East Heritage Railway visit
https://www.facebook.com/gdk1805/
