Full steam ahead as railway group takes over formal control in Alford
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Members of the Alford Valley Community Railway (AVCR) have seen one of the main goals of their long term plan for the revamp of the heritage railway come to fruition.
AVCR have this week announced that after much hard work and commitment by the board and its associates, they have finalised the 25 year lease between themselves and Aberdeenshire Council and now have the keys to the railway station, engine shed and railway line.
Group secretary Yvonne Buckingham said: "This is fantastic news and we can now start the hard work of physically bringing this much loved and treasured attraction back to life.
"We would like to extend our thanks to Aberdeenshire Council and Marr Area Office for their support during this long journey.
"We would like to express our appreciation for the support received from Grampian Transport Museum Trust, Alford Golf Club and Donside Community Council.
AVCR are also delighted to announce that they have a benefactor who has purchased the majority of rolling stock so they will be able to bring back to use Hamewith, The James Gordon and carriages and in addition The Braw Lass is on permanent loan from a second benefactor.
She continued: "AVCR are extremely grateful to these individuals for their ongoing support.
"Finally we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the community of Alford and the surrounding areas for their unshakable faith in the project."
An ownership transfer request to Aberdeenshire Council was approved back in January and follows months of work and plans in an effort to renovate and reopen the former Alford railway station and engine shed and to lay a new narrow gauge line, up to and including, the small terminus at Haughton Park.
The railway will primarily run as an attraction for the benefit of the local community and visitors in conjunction with other separate existing community facilities in the Alford Station area and in Haughton Park.
The project will be phased with four elements starting with the station, engine shed and turntable, Haughton Park terminus and then finally the most significant phase being the one-and-half miles of track.
At a meeting of the Marr area committee this week, councillors heard the application, and Councillor Gwyneth Petrie said: “It’s good to see this coming forward and being established by the group
In July last year, AVCR was one of 14 local projects aimed at improving communities and places across Aberdeenshire which shared in more than £2 million in new funding to help drive economic recovery, improve town centres and support regeneration activity.
To hear about future activities visit www.avcr.org.ukor go to their Facebook Page
