The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rail heritage fades from view
Today’s main photo is a wonderful image from the golden age of steam.
Taken by JL Stevenson, the picture captures the heyday of the long-disappeared railway line at Bankfoot in Perthshire.
It shows a scene at the village’s former station bulding and platform, and was supplied by Auchtergaven history buff and poet Thomas Brown, who writes: “The photo was taken on October 11 1958 from the road leading to the local churchyard.
“The loco is a Fowler 4F No 44258. On that day it was the first passenger train to arrive at Bankfoot for so many years pulling an enthusiasts’ special. It drew a large crowd from the village.”
Thomas, who lives at Bankfoot’s Garry Place, has spent a lifetime gathering information about the old Bankfoot Light Railway, which came under the auspices of the former Caledonian Railway company.
He says: “Passenger trains ran for 26 years from 1906 to 1931, but during those years buses were gradually making an impact.
“It was a serious rivalry and eventually buses were to be the end of the passenger trains. The end came on April 13 1931 when the last passenger train left Bankfoot – a sad occasion.
“When passenger trains ran a small tank locomotive was stationed at Bankfoot with its engine shed and water tank. From 1931 to closure in 1964 it was a goods line only which served the farming community.
“As a young lad – and as with so many Bankfoot yougsters – my association with the railway was from 1950 to 1964. My regret is not taking photos, but we thought the railway would always be there.
“Dr Beeching had other plans, cutting lines all over the UK. Bankfoot was in his sights and the axe fell.
“In its last months an occasional steam rail tour would visit with enthusiasts, but alas it fell silent with just the memories left.
“I am proud to say the only time a diesel locomotive ran on Bankfoot’s metals was after the day of its closure when the rails began to be removed.
“In all its years from 1906 to 1964 steam
ran supreme to Bankfoot and we should be proud of its legacy.”
Thomas has helpfully provided some additional information on a particularly noteable and iconic iron horse that once drew in to his home village’s sidings.
He says: “One of the most interesting locomotives to arrive on January 13 1962 was a B1 4-6-0 engine and one of very few which ran on the Bankfoot metals, which had been given the unique name Lord Balfour of Burleigh No 61246. Many of the 0-6-0 locos which pulled goods trains were unnamed.”
Thomas believes the loss of Bankfoot’s once-lofty Auchtergaven and Moneydie Parish Church in a devastating fire in February 2004 has only served to add to the poignancy of the railway’s decline.
He concludes: “One of the sad facts about the line looking north from the level crossing was the station scene dominated by the former parish church on its hill.
“It was a feature of every photo and that made it unique. Sadly remains of the line can be found almost nowhere in Bankfoot nowadays. Nothing remains to say.”