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Urgent
Volunteers are wanted for the Torphins Gala Commiteee, the future of Gala Day could be at risk if not enough volunteers come forward.

Contact Dave Cowie on 013398 82065.


Great North of Scotland Railway

The Company was set up in the railway mania of 1845/46 to build a line from Aberdeen to Inverness. The original plans envisaged a double track line which would have cost 1.5 million pounds, quite a tidy sum in those days and way beyond the means of the people of the area to raise.


Railway Trail, Adjacent Torphins Park
Several branches were planned at the same time to bring the advantages of railway transport to the whole area. What happened in fact was that the GNS eventually built its line as far as Keith and the rest of the route to Inverness was built by a separate company, later part of the Highland Railway, promoted by the people of Inverness and the surrounding area who would have nothing to do with the Aberdeen folk who promoted the GNSR.

Another early company operating in the area was that of the Deeside Railway, which opened to Banchory in September 1853 and was later extended on to Aboyne and then Ballater, passing through Torphins and Lumphanan in December 1853. It had originally been intended to go via Kincardine O'neil, but as the route would have required two bridges over the Dee and more land purchases, this route was abandoned. The route from Ballater to Braemar was never completed as planned after Queen Victory objected, fearing disturbance at her estate in Balmoral.

The Deeside Railway was a Royal line from the early days. Queen Victoria travelled from Banchory in 1853 and travelled by royal train until three months before she died in 1901. The last Royal train was October 1952, with Queen Elizabeth travelling to Aberdeen from Ballater.



Torphins Former Railway Station


The Deeside railway ceased operations in 1966, and the station in Torphins has long disappeared. Today there is still some physical evidence of the railway remaining, including the bridges, other buttresses, as well as the name of Station Road.

Torphins itself contracted following the demise of the railway, but only briefly, before expanding, like so many of Aberdeenshire's settlements, following the beginning of the North Sea oil boom in the 1970s.

Royal Deeside Railway

THis registered charity (SC027686) started to restore part of the line in 2003, Trains often run Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays in July, and Saturdays & Sundays in August. and perhaps Wednesdays in August too if crews can be put together. First train is at 12.00 hrs and every 30 minutes thereafter until last departure at 16.30 hrs. Journey time circa 20 minutes.

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, crisps, biscuits,etc available in the buffet coach and lots of things you didn't know you needed in the shop - even some "Practical Mechanics" magazines from the 1906s.


-Bon Accord- in Steam
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Deeside Steam & Vintage Club

The Annual Rally of the Deeside Steam & Vintage Club is held on a Saturday & Sunday in August at Milton of Crathes (adjacent to the Royal Deeside Railway), Crathes, Banchory.
Gates normally open at ~ 10:00 A.M. on both days
2011 Admission charges:
  • Adults at 6.00 pounds
  • Children & OAPs at 5.00. pounds
  • Family tickets (2 Adults & 2 Children) are 18.00 pounds.
Car parking is free.


Sandy and Heather Mair's, (Montrose), Traction Engine 2011
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