The Alford Valley Railway, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, began as a standard gauge branch line of the Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR). Construction started in 1856, and the line officially opened in 1859, connecting Kintore to Alford with intermediate stations at Kemnay, Monymusk, Tillyfourie, and Whitehouse. The railway played a vital role in transporting granite from local quarries and served both passenger and freight needs. The line’s summit near Tillyfourie required a mile-long cutting through hard granite, showcasing the engineering challenges of the time.
Passenger services ceased on 31 December 1949, and freight operations ended exactly sixteen years later in 1965. The original station at Alford was eventually demolished, but the site remained historically significant. In 1979, local enthusiasts proposed a narrow gauge railway to complement the nearby Grampian Transport Museum, which opened in 1983. By 1980, a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line was operational, initially running from Haughton Park through Murray Park Woods. In 1984, a new route from Alford Station to Haughton Park was opened, using the original platform and passing alongside Alford Golf Course.
The narrow gauge railway featured locomotives and rolling stock salvaged from industrial sites, including peat moss railways. Notable engines included “Saccharine,” a steam locomotive built in 1914 and restored from a South African sugar plantation, and “James Gordon,” named after the group’s chairman. The railway also operated diesel engines acquired from the Severn Water Board and repurposed tram-carriages from Aberdeen. A small museum was established in the reconstructed station building, preserving the legacy of the original line.
In 2017, the railway closed due to concerns over track and rolling stock condition. However, a community-led revival began in 2019, supported by Aberdeenshire Council and local organizations. Alford Valley Community Railway Ltd was registered as a Community Benefit Society in 2020 and became a charity in 2021. After securing a lease in 2022, volunteers refurbished the station and rolling stock, aiming for carbon neutrality and energy efficiency. The railway officially reopened to passengers in August 2023, marking a new chapter in its history.
Today, the Alford Valley Railway stands as a testament to community spirit and heritage preservation. It offers scenic rides between Alford and Haughton Park, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities. The railway’s blend of Victorian origins, industrial reuse, and modern sustainability makes it a unique attraction in Scotland’s heritage landscape.
This summary was generated using AI based on publicly available sources, including Alford Valley Railway – Wikipedia, Alford Valley Community Railway official site, and Undiscovered Scotland.
