Grants boost for Ferryhill engine shed restorers

ABERDEEN’S award-winning Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust has been given £70,000 to restore a Victorian engine shed.

Last year, the trust, which was formed in 2007 to restore the Grade A-listed Ferryhill shed turntable next to Duthie Park, not only landed the 2019 principal award from the Aberdeen Civic Society, but also won the Stagecoach Volunteers Award at the 40th National Railway Heritage Awards in London.

The restoration of the turntable facilitated the visits to steam-hauled charters to the Granite City.

The latest windfall in the form of grants from the FCC Communities Foundation, the National Lottery and the Garfield Weston Foundation will help fund the restoration of the shed.

Trust chairman Dr Jon Tyler said:“these grants will provide the trust with an opportunity to complete the repairs to the 1850 engine shed roof.

“The trust will be opening to the public on certain days, allowing people to visit the enhanced amenities at Ferryhill.”

Details of the public open days will be published on the trust’s website at www.frht.org.uk.