All aboard for railway festival
Crieff Lines arrives at community campus this weekend
The Crieff Lines Railway Festival is on track to delight train and local history fans at Strathearn Community Campus this weekend.
50 years ago on September 8 the last goods train left Crieff for Perth and the line from Crieff to Perth via Methven Junction closed for good on September 11,1967.
Organiser David Ferguson said: “Although marking 50 years since closure, the festival is an opportunity to look at the railways serving Upper Strathearn (PerthBalquhidder and CrieffGleneagles) in general and the benefits they brought to the area through the number of tourists coming and increasing trade across the area.”
All the events during the festival are free of charge.
On Friday at 7pm there will be an author’s talk from John Young on ‘ Branch Lines of Strathearn - Tourists, Tatties and Trains’ plus photographic presentations on the lines in general and the demise of Crieff Station. There will also be a pop-up museum of local railway relics.
Saturday sees a day of activities from10am to 4pm.
A miniature railway from the Scottish Model Engineers Trust will give rides for all ages and visitors can browse stands from Caledonian Railway Association, Scotrail Alliance, Strathallan Community Rail Partnership, Friends of the West Highlands, British Transport Police, RailFuture Scotland, Scottish Railway Preservation Society and Culture Perth and Kinross.
Perth and District Model Railway Club will exhibit a large model railway layout. There will also be a Meccano model of a steam engine and storytelling for children in the library.
Visitors can also pick up a leaflet for a trail that follows where the lines ran through Crieff and what is left of them to see today.
A static display of vintage cars and a bus will also be on show, road transport having a large part to play in the demise of the rail service.
Guided walks are on the timetable for Sunday. Meet at the Campus at 9.30am.
There are two to choose from: Robbie’s Box to Lady Mary’s Walk through Crieff is a mainly gentle walk on tarmac, around 2-3 hours, led by Alan Dorman of the countryside ranger service.
Dalchonzie siding to St Fillans is a mainly gentle walk with steeper sections towards the end, three miles long and possibly 4- 6 hours duration. It is proposed to have transport to return to the starting point.
Those int ending attending John Young’s talk or participating in either of the walks need to book their space by contacting strathearnreception@pkc.gov.uk or telephone 01764 657700.
The festival is part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.