WATCH: Celebrating 40 years of the Grampian Transport Museum
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Back in 1979 James Gordon's passion for preservation took a new direction with the restoration of the Alford Valley Railway a process which is still ongoing to this day, with the recent revival of the site now well under way.
Saving a 2’ gauge diesel loco and track from the former Cruden Bay Tile Works, the railway stretched nearly three miles from the old Alford station platform to Houghton House Country Park.
Meanwhile, committee member and architect, Mike Rasmussen, envisioned a permanent museum.
Presenting a fully cost-effective proposal, the museum's future began to take shape.
The Grampian Transport Museum found temporary residence in two industrial units, thanks to a lease agreement with the Gordon Regional Council.
In May 1981, the temporary museum wowed visitors with its vintage vehicles, transport memorabilia, and fascinating exhibits. Run entirely by dedicated volunteers at the time, this truly showed the power of community spirit! 🙌
The success of the temporary museum caught the attention of the Regional Development Fund, securing funding that supported the construction of a permanent home.
And the support did not stop there - a generous donation brought "Saccharine," a 1914 Fowler 2’ gauge steam loco, all the way from South Africa to the Alford Valley Railway.
With the annual Cavalcade continuing to captivate crowds and Doug Murray's team of volunteers welcoming visitors and school parties, education became an integral part of the Grampian Transport Museum's mission.
Finally, in February 1983, the dream became a reality welcoming its first curator Mike Ward who retired from the post in 2021 to see the doors open to the public.
In the intervening years, the museum site has seen a number of developments, with a new frontage to the building, environmental improvements to improve energy efficiency and internal and external works at the site which continues to play host to a wide range of events outwith the motoring world, including the recent return of the 10k foot race.
On Sunday, the museum's grounds welcomed hundreds of visitors to the cavalcade, where owners were able to show their vehicles in both static and track displays covering everything from the earliest motors, classic and vintage through to steam road rollers and the Young Engineers clubs electric racers.
One of those involved in the first event was Chris Engel who said: "This important anniversary marked 40 years of excellence and achievement for what has become one of the UK's best museums.
"I was rally secretary for the first ever Alford Cavalcade which was held in July 1979 and I recall the strong feeling of success that public and vehicle owners had supported the event in great numbers. "
