Strathspey Railway Press Release


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STRATHSPEY RAILWAY COMPANY LTD.

Scotland's Heritage Railway in The Highlands

PRESS RELEASE No 40
Date: 11.2.03


Subject: - Grantown extension plans approved


The Strathspey Railway's plans to extend their line from Broomhill to Grantown on Spey were approved by the planning committee of Highland Council at their meeting on 27th January.

Broomhill, the present terminus of the line from Aviemore, was opened by the railway only last year and is approximately 3½ miles from the site of the former West Station in Grantown. On leaving Broomhill the route of the line lies, initially, on the valley floor of the Spey, crosses the River Dulnain and shortly after begins the climb, eventually at 1: 80, towards Grantown. Three major civil engineering obstacles have to be overcome in completing the rebuild of the line. Firstly, the bridge span has to be replaced over the Dulnain, secondly the A95 Trunk Road crossing followed immediately by restoration of a section of embankment that was removed when the road was first realigned in the seventies.

Crossing the A95 was thought to be the obstacle that might scupper the entire project but plans now prepared for the new realignment of the road have made provision for a short tunnel to allow the line to gain the original formation.

News that the Council had approved the plans for the rebuilding of the line and provision of the new station have been warmly welcomed by members of the Railway's Board of Directors and by the lines many supporters.

Company Chairman, Doug Scott said, "It's a great step forward and evidence of the enthusiasm of the Grantown Community and Highland Councils for the railway's redevelopment." Ron Black, the railway's Marketing Director said, "The approval means that we can now begin, with confidence, the process of detailed planning and costing of the project."

Reopening of the route will not come cheap. While details of what this will be can now be obtained the cost involved in getting to Broomhill, £460,000 in round figures, is something of a guide.

However, this part of the route was relatively uncomplicated and did not require any of the major civil engineering work to be undertaken on the last lap to Grantown. Sourcing of funds and materials for the project will take some time to complete, although the railway already has a considerable quantity of sleepers in stock, so evidence on the ground will not be visible in the immediate future.



Press Enquiries: - Strathspey Railway - Ron Black 01389-752214

e.mail: - publicity@strathspeyrailway.co.uk

Registered in Scotland No. 49011 Registered Office:
Aviemore Station,
Dalfaber Road,
Aviemore,
Inverness-shire,
PH22 1PY


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