The team behind an ambitious bid to reopen a north-east railway line as a multimillion-pound tourist attraction have appealed for volunteers to help them to keep steaming ahead.
The campaign group, led by former train driver Bill Scatterty, unveiled plans to use second-hand track to reopen a 10-mile stretch of line between Banff and Portsoy.
The scheme would be run as a heritage line, like the successful Royal Deeside Railway near Banchory. Mr Scattery has suggested buying used track from rail firms in England and Wales to complete the project.
The Portsoy line closed in the 1960s.
Now Mr Scatterty and his group, North-East of Scotland Railway, have appealed for fresh volunteers to come forward and help them to keep the scheme moving forwards.
“We’re working a lot right now and we need someone who can come on board to help us out to keep it going,” he said. “We’ve been to see the planning department already and we’re in the process of trying to buy the infrastructure at Tillynaught.”
Mr Scatterty said the next major step for the campaign group is to secure grant funding to help realise their dream and buy the former station on the line at Tillynaught. He also appealed to any companies or private investors who would consider helping to resurrect the line.
“If anyone wants to help us out money-wise that would be fantastic. There are only three of us right now and we need some more volunteer help.”
He added that most of the track bed along the stretch is still “in situ” but that the Banff end of the line will likely prove the most complicated to build.
“We’re just trying our best day to day. We’re determined we can get a grant to reopen the railway.”
Mr Scatterty has asked anyone who wishes to volunteer with the group to contact him on 07739 650 069 or 07540 110 026.
