The Royal Deeside Railway is a standard gauge steam and diesel hauled heritage railway, in a beautiful setting running alongside the River Dee. The line is currently about one mile long and the return journey lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
At the Milton of Crathes, we have an award-winning Victorian station, a railway carriage tearoom, a shop with ice creams etc., all with a wonderful view of the surrounding hills. The Milton of Crathes complex includes craft shops, a restaurant and art gallery. For a short aerial video of the east end of the railway, click HERE.
THE RAILWAY IS CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Meantime, construction work contines at Riverside Halt and the Bridge o' Bennie
PRESS RELEASE
Deeside Way to be Temporarily Closed
for
8 Hours During the First Week of December
The Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society has announced that their Bridge of Bennie Project will reach a conclusion in the week commencing the 30th November.
After several years of careful planning and a massive amount of hard work by a small and dedicated team of volunteers the RDRPS will finally begin the installation of their new Deeside Way Bridge over the Bennie Burn, Banchory next week.
This will involve the delivery of the 16m long, 23 tonne bridge to the site on a McIntosh Heavy Lifting, Echt 34 wheel low loader. The new bridge will then be lifted onto the new reinforced concrete abutments by Global Port Services of Aberdeen using a Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1, 250 tonne crane, in a single lift.
As access to the site is restricted both vehicles will have to reverse approximately 500m along the Deeside Way from the “Lay-By” to the new bridge site - a delicate and hazardous operation. The final lift operation is a slow and a delicate procedure requiring maximum concentration. As public safety is paramount it will be necessary to completely close the Deeside Way and the adjacent Riverside Path to the public for the duration of the installation process in-order to comply with Health and Safety Regulations.
The extent of the closure will be from the new platform at the Railway’s work area know as the “Lay-By” in the east to approximately 30m west of the Bennie Burn site. Closure times will be kept to a minimum. The RDRPS expect the lifting operation to take place between 30th November and the 3rd December, depending on weather conditions as we require a windless and dry day.
Safety marshals and warning signs will be posted at the east and west ends of the affected section of the Deeside Way to advise the public of progress and to ensure public safety.
The bridge will finally open to the public in early 2021.
The RDRPS apologise for any inconvenience to the public.
The RDRPS would like to acknowledge the following organisations and people who have helped with this project;
The Leys Estate
McIntosh Heavy Lifting and Plant ltd., Echt
Global Port Services, Aberdeen
Messrs Fairhurst Consulting Civil Engineers, Aberdeen
Messrs CHAP Construction, Westhill
Aberdeenshire Council
With generous sponsorship from;
McIntosh Heavy Lifting and Plant ltd.
The Barrack Charitable Trust
Viridor Credits
And many private individuals.
For more information please contact;
RDRPS Project Manager Mr Fergus McGhie on 07554 011825
or
RDRPS Planning Manager Mr Michale Rasmussen on 07968 196888