Community takes on revival of Alford Valley
Scottish 2ft gauge line the Alford Valley Railway is set to return to operation after five years of closure, thanks to the efforts of the local community.
The line, just over three quarters of a mile long and adjacent to the Grampian Transport Museum in Aberdeenshire, is being brought back to life by local enthusiasts who have formed the Alford Valley Community Railway.
The group has now signed a 25-year lease with Aberdeenshire Council, which owns the line. This follows the AVCR last July winning a slice of a £2 million fund to help drive economic recovery and support regeneration across the county, and then securing £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund towards refurbishment of the station building.
Local enthusiast James Gordon built a 1.9-mile long line on the former standardgauge London North Eastern trackbed in 1980, using equipment salvaged from the New Pitsligo peat moss railway. A second line, the present one, was added in 1984 and the original route closed, and it ran until 2017 when deteriorating track forced closure – the line was featured in NGW161.
Karl Stevens, permanent way manager and Trustee of the AVCR, told NGW that progress has been rapid. “We have been open for four weeks and lots of vegetation has been removed by volunteers and local businesses who want to take part,” he said.
“It’s great to hear stories of when the railway was working and most of the community have taken part in bringing it back to life,” Karl added.
The ACVR now has a four-phase rebuilding plan, starting with refurbishing the Alford station building with new lights, insulation, wiring and future proofing against power outages.
Above: Trackbed clearance at
Alford is producing a clear image of progress in restoring the line.
Right: The railway revival is very much a local community project.
This will then form a base for open days to boost revenue.
Phase 2 will involve the engine shed, followed by refurbishment of Haughton Park station at the other end of the line, and then permanent way maintenance.
“Phase 1 is waiting for contractors to start, phases 2 and 3 are funded and awaiting the same contractor to start, while a start on phase 4 has to wait until the end of October due to our unique proximity to a golf course,” Karl said.
The line’s stock was generously bought by a local sponsor and has sat in the shed since the closure. Four locos are on site, including Alan Keef-built steam-outline 0-4-0DH ‘James Gordon’ (63/2001), named after the original builder of the line.
“Two are now started and move, another was a rebuild and needs further inspection prior to starting while our original engine, which has sat outside in the kids play park for 20 years, is being brought inside to renovate over the winter.”
The youngest carriage, also built by Alan Keef in 2005, requires servicing while a vehicle originally converted from a tram car is in need of some work to it. There are also plans to convert the line’s third vehicle to a restaurant car for special afternoon trains.
Details of progress will be posted on the line’s website at www.avcr.org.uk and on its Facebook page.
“There is lots to do but nothing is impossible and just needs time and effort which we have in abundance,” Karl added. “Now we are up and running we will have regular updates and we hope to see you next year for a visit.”