Undiscovered Scotland

 

Trains came to Alford in 1859 when the Alford Valley Railway arrived from Kintore, linking Alford with the Aberdeen to Inverness line. Just over a century later the major round of cuts to Britain's railways in 1966 included the closure of this line, and Alford's railway history came to an end.

Or, at least, it would have done if it hadn't been for the efforts of a determined group of volunteers. In 1979 local enthusiasts started working up an idea to launch a 2 foot gauge passenger line to tie in with the planned Grampian Transport Museum, which opened in Alford in 1983. By 1984 volunteers had laid 3 kilometers of line linking Alford railway station with Haughton Park Station, which they named after Alford's old line. In 2017 Alford Valley Railway sadly closed due to concerns over the condition of the track and rolling stock.

In 2019 a local community volunteer group supported by Aberdeenshire Council, Marr Area Partnership and Donside Community Council got together to investigate via a feasibility study, the possibility of taking on the railway as a community project.

Alford Valley Community Railway Ltd was registered as a Community Benefit Society in 2020. Community benefit societies (BenComs) conduct business for the benefit of their community. Profits are not distributed among members, or external shareholders, but returned to the community. 24 June 2021 saw the railway become a registered charity thus allowing the group to potentially take over the premises.

12 August 2022 saw, after much hard work and commitment by the Board and its associates, a finalised Lease being signed between AVCR Ltd and Aberdeenshire Council and the official handing over of the keys.

Alford Station building was the initial focus of the project with the to refurbish the building in a carbon neutral manner with energy efficient heat sources and insulation. In the background the rolling stock was brought up to scratch and the track received a significant staged overhaul which continues on an ongoing basis. Loco James Gordon and the Jubilee Coach is in regular operation for the benefit of the public and the local community. Loco BraLass is used for maintenance and the Wee Highlander has sprung back into life for occasion use and display. Hamewith will be next to receive some attention.

The turntable may be one of the oldest surviving turntables on a branch line and the only to have historically carry standard and narrow-gauge track. Rail enthusiasts may like to become involved in its restoration in the coming years.

Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers that made this happen. If you would like to volunteer at AVCR Ltd in whatever capacity please email avcrvolunteering@gmail.com

AVCR Ltd relies on volunteers and can only operate if they have enough of them. Please check the Facebook page before you travel for the latest information.