Date: 21/01/2012

Historic railway signs from the former Deeside line could fetch more than £40,000 today when they go under the hammer, half-a-century after being bought for just a few pounds each. A set of 12 station signs, charting the former branch line’s route between Cults, in Aberdeen, and Ballater, will be among almost 400 lots on offer at a Railwayana Auctions UK sale in Stafford. Auctioneer Neil Booth said the mementos of the railway line which carried generations of the Royal Family from Aberdeen to annual holidays at Balmoral Castle would be sold individually.

Related images

An oft repeated scene at Banchory on the Royal Deeside line in the summer of 1965, where an Aberdeen - Ballater DMU has arrived at the westbound platform. Pupils from Banchory Academy board the train, while a Royal Mail van is parked further along the platform. Note the mail tarriffs of the day displayed on the side of the van, showing postcards at 3d and letters at 4d. Banchory station closed with most of the line in February 1966. [See image 12407]
Location: Banchory [2nd]
Company: Deeside Extension Railway
//1965 Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven)

What is now 'The Deeside Way' passing the former station at Cambus o' May in November 2005. The view along the old trackbed is east towards Aberdeen.
Location: Cambus o^ May
Company: Aboyne and Braemar Railway
05/11/2005 John Furnevel

View across the platforms at Dinnet station in June 1963 looking towards Aboyne.
Location: Dinnet
Company: Aboyne and Braemar Railway
/06/1963 Colin Miller