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01/01/2024 Are plans to bring trains to Peterhead and Fraserburgh on track? [Press and Journal] The Press and Journal caught up with the Campaign for North East Rail to find out what they've been up to in 2023, and what we can expect from them this year. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Peterhead: A North British Loco Type 2 at Peterhead, in June 1964. Brian Haslehust 17/06/1964 Fraserburgh: Standard tank 80021 leaving Fraserburgh with a train for Aberdeen on 12 August 1958. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 12/08/1958 Press and Journal Formartine and Buchan Railway
01/09/2023 Study to explore rail reinstatement between Aberdeen and Buchan [BBC News] Campaigners want to see trains running to Buchan again, more than 50 years after the service ended. (Permalink) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Fraserburgh: Fraserburgh in the summer of 1964, with an NBL Type 2 awaiting departure. A Cravens diesel unit can also be spotted beneath the station canopy. Brian Haslehust 23/08/1964 Ellon: Drivers view approaching Ellon in June 1974 - the trackbed and platform that once served the Boddam branch can be seen on the right. John McIntyre 01/06/1974 Peterhead: D5323 prepares to take the Formartine and Buchan Railtour out of Peterhead on 24 May 1969. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965, although freight operations at the busy fishing port contin ... Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/05/1969 BBC News Grampian Online
31/01/2023 Concern over Buchan rail link being omitted from Scottish Governement transport strategy [Grampian Online] MSP Douglas Lumsden has hit out at the omission of a potential Buchan rail line from the Scottish Government's national transport strategy. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Ellon: Railtour at Ellon station looking south in April 1979. Ian Dinmore /04/1979 Grampian Online
22/01/2023 Four years on and still no Ebikes hires on the Formartine and Buchan way [Grampian Online] An eBike hire scheme in Aberdeenshire which was instigated in 2019 has yet to start and concern remains over delays in a similar system at Kintore. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Formartine and Buchan Way Kintore Ythan Viaduct: The viaduct at Ellon over the River Ythan is now on The Formartine and Buchan Way. John Gray 23/08/2017 Maud: The Fraserburgh platforms at Maud Junction looking south towards Aberdeen on 27 May 2012, with trees and shrubs continuing to encroach. Difficult now to imagine passengers for the Broch and Peterhead, ... Brian Taylor 27/05/2012 Strichen: GNSR D40 4-4-0 62261 enters Strichen from the south on 20 May 1949. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 20/05/1949 Grampian Online
21/10/2022 MSP secures SNP commitment to North East rail [The Scotsman] The prospect of bringing rail back to Peterhead and Fraserburgh has made a significant step forward after Karen Adam MSP secured unanimous support from delegates at the SNP's 88th Annual Conference earlier this month. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Politics The Scotsman
08/10/2022 North-east rail campaign gets green light with £165,000 feasibility study [Press and Journal] The campaign group behind a north-east rail revival is being awarded up to £165,000 over four years in a major boost for the ambitious plans, the Press and Journal can reveal. (Permalink) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Fraserburgh: 80021 arrives at Fraserburgh on 16 July 1955 with a train from Aberdeen. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1955 Press and Journal
16/08/2022 Boost for Buchan railway bid [Scotsman] A tourism forum has given its backing for bringing rail back to Fraserburgh and Peterhead. SNP MSP Karen Adam held the second virtual meeting of her ambitious initiative, 'Making the Most of the Coast: Tourism Forum' earlier this month. Stakeholders of Ms Adam's Tourism Forum welcomed leaders of the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER). Attendees were able to pose questions to CNER on the viability of the campaign and what benefits bringing rail back to the towns could bring. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh: Fraserburgh in the summer of 1964, with an NBL Type 2 awaiting departure. A Cravens diesel unit can also be spotted beneath the station canopy. Brian Haslehust 23/08/1964 Peterhead: A North British Loco Type 2 at Peterhead, in June 1964. Brian Haslehust 17/06/1964 Ellon: Photostop at Ellon on a railtour in the 1970s. Ian Dinmore // Scotsman
09/08/2022 Leaders support bringing rail back to Buchan [Grampian Online] MSP Karen Adam held the second virtual meeting of her ambitious initiative Making The Most Of The Coast: Tourism Forum last Wednesday. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Making The Most Of The Coast: Tourism Forum Grampian Online The National
08/08/2022 Would you like a Buchan railway? [Grampian Online] A public meeting will take place on Wednesday in Peterhead to discuss the vision to return trains to the Buchan coast. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Lonmay: Mormond Hill (ye Mormond Braes) seen from the brake van of the daily Fraserburgh-Aberdeen goods on 27th March 1973. David Spaven 27/03/1973 Udny: EE Type 1 no D8031 stands at Udny station on 15 August 1960 at the head of the Peterhead - Aberdeen goods. The locomotive had been delivered new to Kittybrewster shed at the beginning of the year. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/08/1960 Newmachar: View north from the footbridge at Newmachar station on 15 August 1960 as B1 4-6-0 no 61352 waits at the platform with empty stock on its way to Ellon for storage on the stub of the Boddam branch. The ... G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/08/1960 Grampian Online
02/07/2022 Video: Possible routes for new north-east railway showcased as chamber boss asks why not? [Press and Journal] New trains from Aberdeen to Ellon and onwards to Peterhead and Fraserburgh can help deliver a 'just transition' and unlock economic growth across the north-east. (Permalink) Aberdeen Campaign for North East Rail Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Ellon: Photostop at Ellon on a railtour in the 1970s. Ian Dinmore // Press and Journal
25/06/2022 Peterhead and Fraserburgh rail links a great idea, says Transport Minister [Press and Journal] Scotland's transport minister said reopening Peterhead and Fraserburgh rail links would be a 'great idea' while on a visit to the north-east yesterday. (Permalink) Campaign for North East Rail Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Jenny Gilruth Peterhead Maud: The morning sun illuminates 5308 shunting Maud Junction on 27 March 1973 prior to heading the daily goods from Aberdeen onwards to Fraserburgh. David Spaven 27/03/1973 Fraserburgh: 80021 arrives at Fraserburgh on 16 July 1955 with a train from Aberdeen. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1955 Peterhead: Looking back along the platform at Peterhead in May 1949. The locomotive is B1 no 61345, one month old at the time. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 19/05/1949 Press and Journal Campaign for North East Rail Formartine and Buchan Railway
25/05/2022 Rebecca Buchan: New north-east train lines would boost our towns and the green effort [Press and Journal] Reinstating the north and north-east's lost railway lines would be costly, but we could lose out on so much if it doesn't happen. (Permalink) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Opinion Peterhead Fraserburgh: The railway goods offices at Fraserburgh, built in 1953, still survive in 2012 and are now under the ownership of the local authority social work department. My father rented the office at the bottom ... John Williamson 12/08/2012 Ellon: Looking north at Ellon on 15 May 1959. The Station Hotel is just visible on the left of the picture. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/05/1959 Peterhead: View over the buffer stops at Peterhead on 24 May 1969 showing D5323 at the platform with the Formartine and Buchan Railtour preparing to return to Aberdeen. Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/05/1969 Press and Journal
13/04/2022 SNP transport minister to visit north-east amid push for Buchan rail links [Press and Journal] Jenny Gilruth is expected to meet with campaigners and north-east Conservative MSP Liam Kerr at Dyce Station on June 24 to discuss the proposals. The Scottish Governments major transport review failed to include reinstating the Buchan and Formartine rail link within its recommendations. This is despite a feasibility study being promised as part of the co-operation agreement between the SNP and Greens. (Permalink) Dyce Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Maud Peterhead Politics Fraserburgh: A mixed train preparing to leave Fraserburgh for Aberdeen in April 1955. Locomotive in charge is BR Standard 2-6-4 tank no 80004, delivered new to Kittybrewster shed two and a half years earlier. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 11/04/1955 Udny: EE Type 1 no D8031 stands at Udny station on 15 August 1960 at the head of the Peterhead - Aberdeen goods. The locomotive had been delivered new to Kittybrewster shed at the beginning of the year. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/08/1960 Newmachar: View north from the footbridge at Newmachar station on 15 August 1960 as B1 4-6-0 no 61352 waits at the platform with empty stock on its way to Ellon for storage on the stub of the Boddam branch. The ... G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/08/1960 Press and Journal Formartine and Buchan Railway
14/03/2022 Holyrood hears Formartine line 'should not be excluded' from 20-year rail strategy [Grampian Online] Relaying north east rail lines should not be excluded from Scotland's long-term transport strategy if carbon net zero objectives are to succeed. (Permalink) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Peterhead: B1 4-6-0 61134 leaving Peterhead on 4 July 1951. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 04/07/1951 Maud: The NBL Type 2s were, for a few years following dieselisation, the staple locomotive on Buchan line trains. In this photograph, having attached a portion off the 3.20pm ex-Peterhead see image [[37410] ... Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 01/05/1965 Ellon: NBL Type 2 D6148 arrives at Ellon with a northbound train in July 1963. Colin Miller /07/1963 Grampian Online
15/02/2022 North East journey time and Formartine rail improvements 'hit the buffers' [Ellon Times] The SNPs new transport minister has been challenged over North East rail developments hitting the buffers following a statement on the rail network's imminent nationalisation. (Permalink) Aberdeen and Inverness Line Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh: B12 4-6-0 61529 leaving Fraserburgh on 19 May 1949 with the 9.10 am train for Aberdeen. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 19/05/1949 Peterhead: Looking back along the platform at Peterhead in May 1949. The locomotive is B1 no 61345, one month old at the time. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 19/05/1949 Ellon Times
31/08/2021 Let's back the campaign to #connectPeterhead to the rail network [Buchan Observer] The Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) has officially launched #connectPeterhead calling for the town to be reconnected to the national rail network. (Permalink) Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Buchan Observer Formartine and Buchan Railway Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway)
26/08/2021 SNP-Greens deal boosts Peterhead and Fraserburgh rail hopes [Buchan Observer] The campaign to connect Peterhead, Fraserburgh and other North-east towns to the rail network has been boosted by a commitment by the SNP and Green Party to improve the area's public transport. (Permalink) Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Buchan Observer
24/08/2021 Railway campaign group say 'Ellon isn't far enough' [Northsound 1] The Campaign for North East Rail group have launched #ConnectPeterhead as they look to convince the Scottish Government to extend the railway to the Blue Toon. (Permalink) Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Peterhead Cruden Bay: The GNSR coat-of-arms seen at the former Cruden Bay Hotel, circa 1961. David Murray-Smith //1961 Ellon: Looking north at Ellon on 15 May 1959. The Station Hotel is just visible on the left of the picture. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/05/1959 Peterhead: D5323 prepares to take the Formartine and Buchan Railtour out of Peterhead on 24 May 1969. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965, although freight operations at the busy fishing port contin ... Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/05/1969 Northsound 1 Formartine and Buchan Railway Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway)
16/08/2021 How to cut half a million car journeys and 32k tonnes of carbon in a year? A new regional railway is the answer [Evening Express] Plans to revive forgotten railway stations around the north-east wont just benefit rural residents, but could actually help save the planet. (Permalink) Aberdeen Boddam Branch (Great North of Scotland Railway) Cruden Bay Dyce Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Hatton Newmachar Peterhead Pitmeddan Cruden Bay: The GNSR coat-of-arms seen at the former Cruden Bay Hotel, circa 1961. David Murray-Smith //1961 Newmachar: View north from the footbridge at Newmachar station on 15 August 1960 as B1 4-6-0 no 61352 waits at the platform with empty stock on its way to Ellon for storage on the stub of the Boddam branch. The ... G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/08/1960 Ellon: Drivers view approaching Ellon in June 1974 - the trackbed and platform that once served the Boddam branch can be seen on the right. John McIntyre 01/06/1974 Evening Express
10/08/2021 Cross-party rivalry put aside to call for reopening of railway line [Ellon Times] Two MSPs have put put cross-party rivalry aside to call for the reopening of the railway line between Ellon and Dyce. (Permalink) Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Re-opening Ellon: The annual Railway Relay Race from Peterhead to Ellon took place on 6th August 2017. This is a minor road crossing and the remains of a bridge abutment half way between Auchnagatt and Ellon whe ... Alan Cormack 06/08/2017 Ellon: Looking north at Ellon on 15 May 1959. The Station Hotel is just visible on the left of the picture. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 15/05/1959 Ellon: Classic BR uniforms glimpsed at Ellon from the 12.25 Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train on Saturday 1st May 1965, with driver and secondman hanging out of the NBL Type 2 at the front (yes, a diesel locomotive ... Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 01/05/1965 Ellon Times
03/08/2021 Bring back the old Dyce to Ellon railway, Tories and SNP say [Evening Express] Reopening the railway between Ellon and Dyce is a 'realistic and achievable' prospect according to a Tory MSP, who has teamed up with an SNP MSP on the issue. (Permalink) Dyce Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Udny: The level crossing at Tillyeve on the Buchan line, between Newmachar and Udny. The gates and posts are in surprisingly good condition given that passenger traffic ceased in 1965 and the line closed co ... Brian Taylor 14/11/2015 Dyce: Handing back the token at Dyce after returning from Fraserburgh with the Buchan Belle railtour on 01 June 1974. John McIntyre 01/06/1974 Ellon: Photostop at Ellon on a railtour in the 1970s. Ian Dinmore // Evening Express
22/06/2021 Further improvements to get underway on the Formartine and Buchan Way around Ellon [Grampian Online] Phase 2 of the works will cover the section between Station Road heading northwards to Ness Circle and will involve a closure lasting three weeks. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Formartine and Buchan Way Grampian Online Formartine and Buchan Railway
15/06/2021 A whistle-stop tour along the Formartine and Buchan Railway line [Press and Journal] Calls to reopen the Formartine and Buchan Railway, one of the lines lost to Dr Beeching's cuts have been gaining momentum in recent months. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Maud: GNSR D41 4-4-0 no 62231 backing onto the Fraserburgh portion of a train at Maud on 30 July 1948. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 30/07/1948 Fraserburgh: 80021 arrives at Fraserburgh on 16 July 1955 with a train from Aberdeen. G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 16/07/1955 Peterhead: D5323 prepares to take the Formartine and Buchan Railtour out of Peterhead on 24 May 1969. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965, although freight operations at the busy fishing port contin ... Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/05/1969 Press and Journal Formartine and Buchan Railway
25/05/2021 Gillian Martin seeks meeting with Cabinet Secretary to discuss creating new rail line between Dyce and Ellon [Press and Journal] Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has written to the new Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson to discuss extending the rail network in her constituency. (Permalink) Dyce Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway Dyce: Handing back the token at Dyce after returning from Fraserburgh with the Buchan Belle railtour on 01 June 1974. John McIntyre 01/06/1974 Ellon: Classic BR uniforms glimpsed at Ellon from the 12.25 Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train on Saturday 1st May 1965, with driver and secondman hanging out of the NBL Type 2 at the front (yes, a diesel locomotive ... Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 01/05/1965 Press and Journal
29/04/2021 Campaign for North East Rail's commitment to cycle paths [Ellon Times] Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) has confirmed its commitment to retaining cycle paths on the Formartine and Buchan Way and the Deeside Way. (Permalink) Campaign for North East Rail Deeside Railway Deeside Way Formartine and Buchan Railway Formartine and Buchan Way Maud: The Fraserburgh platforms at Maud Junction looking south towards Aberdeen on 27 May 2012, with trees and shrubs continuing to encroach. Difficult now to imagine passengers for the Broch and Peterhead, ... Brian Taylor 27/05/2012 Ellon: Approaching Ellon in June 1974. John McIntyre 01/06/1974 Banchory [2nd]: 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, ... Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1965 Ellon Times
29/04/2021 Election 2021: Full steam ahead on reopening railways [Grampian Online] The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said it should be full steam ahead on plans to reopen railway lines including Deeside and Peterhead. (Permalink) Deeside Railway Formartine and Buchan Railway Politics Scottish Liberal Democrats Grampian Online
09/04/2021 North-east campaign to reinvigorate rail services and connections is up and running [The Fraserburgh Herald] A new push to see railways return to the North East forms part of a concerted effort by the Campaign for North East Rail. (Permalink) Banchory Deeside Railway Formartine and Buchan Railway Fraserburgh Peterhead Fraserburgh: NBL Type 2 no D6141 about to take the 3.15pm train for Aberdeen out of Fraserburgh station in September 1963. Fraserburgh locomotive shed stands on the left. K A Gray 02/09/1963 Peterhead: D5323 prepares to take the Formartine and Buchan Railtour out of Peterhead on 24 May 1969. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965, although freight operations at the busy fishing port contin ... Robin Barbour Collection (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/05/1969 Banchory [2nd]: 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, ... Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1965 The Fraserburgh Herald Campaign for North East Rail Formartine and Buchan Railway
08/01/2021 Trailblazing Peterhead Prison railway line ferried criminals to a place of hard labour [Press and Journal] It was the first state-owned passenger carrying railway in Britain; a product of Victoriana which ferried criminals to a place of hard labour in the north-east of Scotland. (Permalink) Formartine and Buchan Railway Peterhead Prison Peterhead Prison Railway Press and Journal
09/02/2017 Major road and rail improvements for Buchan take step forward [Press and Journal] Multimillion-pound proposals to reintroduce a railway line north of Aberdeen and upgrade the regions busiest road have taken a step forward. Transport partnership Nestrans is currently considering how to overhaul road and rail links in Buchan and has now appointed two consultancy firms to explore how the project could be delivered. American engineering firm Aecom has been commissioned to review the rail infrastructure, while transport consultant group Systra will investigate how the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead could be improved. (Permalink) A90 Formartine and Buchan Railway Press and Journal