Banchory railway station

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Banchory
Banchory 1961.jpg
September 1961
LocationBanchory, Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Coordinates57°03′02″N 2°29′26″W / 57.0505°N 2.4905°W / 57.0505; -2.4905Coordinates: 57°03′02″N 2°29′26″W / 57.0505°N 2.4905°W / 57.0505; -2.4905
Grid referenceNO 705957
Platforms2
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyGreat North of Scotland Railway
Post-groupingLondon and North Eastern Railway Scottish Region of British Railways
Key dates
8 September 1853 (1853-09-08)Opened
28 February 1966 (1966-02-28)Closed to passengers
18 July 1966 (1966-07-18)Closed to goods
Deeside line timetable, summer 1963
Leaflet advertising train services on the Deeside line, 1962

Banchory railway station was situated on the Aberdeen and Ballater branch (the Deeside Line). It was situated at 16 miles 72 chains (27.2 km) from Aberdeen, and was the terminus of the railway from its opening on 8 September 1853 until extension to Aboyne in 1859. The branch was extended to its final terminus at Ballater in 1866.

The station was reconstructed in 1902, and was substantially built, with stone main buildings and generous platform awnings. There was a goods yard on the down side of the line. The station was host to a LNER camping coach in 1935 and 1936, possibly one for some of 1934 and two coaches from 1937 to 1939.[1] At least part of the station buildings were used to provide camping apartment accommodation for holidaymakers from sometime in the 1950s until the early 1960s, there was accommodation for four people.[2]

By the time of closure all passenger services on the branch were worked by diesel multiple-unit trains, after an experiment with battery-electric railcars in 1958 – 1962. Latterly there were five passenger services in each direction, with an additional train in the summer months. The passenger service was withdrawn from 28 February 1966, and goods services continued until final closure on 18 July 1966.[3]

In 1961, towards the end of the line's life, an additional halt was opened at Dee Street, about 800 yards (730 m) west of Banchory station and closer to the High Street and the town centre.

The Royal Deeside Railway, a heritage line, have established an operating base at Milton of Crathes about three miles east of Banchory, and are working to extend their line into the town.

Routes[]

Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Milton of Crathes
Line closed, station open 		  Great North of Scotland Railway
Deeside Railway 		  Dee Street Halt
Line and station closed

References[]

  1. ^ McRae, Andrew (1997). British Railway Camping Coach Holidays: The 1930s & British Railways (London Midland Region). Vol. Scenes from the Past: 30 (Part One). Foxline. p. 11. ISBN 1-870119-48-7.
  2. ^ McRae, Andrew (1998). British Railways Camping Coach Holidays: A Tour of Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Vol. Scenes from the Past: 30 (Part Two). Foxline. p. 33. ISBN 1-870119-53-3.
  3. ^ Farr, Alfred Derek (1968). The Royal Deeside Line. David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-4273-2.
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