What do we find at this Abandoned Railway in Scotland?

Hello everyone,
On one of our trips to Scotland, we stumbled across this abandoned, overgrown railway. Lawrie being Lawrie, just had to have an explore - so join the adventure for what he finds!

** LMM was given access to the site by the relevant authorities. LMM does not trespass and strongly condemns anyone who accesses sites without prior and correct permission.**

A video featuring:
Lawrie - Presenter, Overjoyed to be exploring a lost railway,
Matt - Cameraman, genuinely interested to be exploring.

A video edited by Lawrie.

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[TheHatMusic]

EDIT: This was posted to highlight that LMM did have permission to access the site. It is not a statement about the legality of trespass, simply to ensure that this information is visible to anybody who cannot easily see the extended video description.

Just to stress the point in the video description, LMM was given access to the site by the custodians of the Alford Valley Railway. There was no trespass carried out, the site is overgrown, but it is in the charge of the Alford Valley Community Railway and is not an abandoned site.

If anybody does wish to see the site, the best way is to get in touch with the Alford Valley Community Railway via their website (link in the video description), and become a member. Every contribution of time or funds will help them reach their goal of reopening the railway once more, so anybody who does want to see it, we would urge you to get involved and help make something epic happen!

[thehistoricscot]

The Alford Valley Railway is now open to the public and fully working again, thanks to the long hard work of the Alford Valley Community Railway members.

[stephencameron]

Hi Laurie, many years ago, the Alford Valley Railway had a real steam locomotive in the shape of a Bagnall 0.4.2 by the name of "Saccharin", after it left, the next I'd heard, it was on a heritage site in England somewhere, where it is now, I don't know, anyway, stay safe, all the best from Scotland, Stephen.

[johnmac]

most impresive thing about the opening 2 mins ?? the camera-person walking backwards, keeping Lawrie in shot & not falling over .. nice work Matt

[stephenwilliams]

I love that shed, its absolutely amazing. Hopefully they can make a go of it.I'm jealous of all the little railways you guys have, here in Canada most of the abandoned lines got turned into bike paths.My grandmother and grandfather had a cottage in Quebec, north of Montreal and I remember as a kid hearing the trains running, now its gone and replaced by bikes.I was however fortunate enough my dad worked for VIA rail and the department he headed was responsible for the restoration of all the silver stainless steel Budd cars that run.

[IliaChakarovGaming]

Should make a new series " exploring with Lawrie"

[murrayduncan]

I enjoyed your video, good to see the AVR highlighted and even better news that Aberdeenshire Council have finally signed the lease with the revival group. I enjoyed your reaction to the tasteless twee appearance of the locos, combined with the lurid emerald green paintwork & the embarrassing names, the AVR could be mistaken as the ‘Brigadoon Railway’.
I have been visiting the line on & off since 1980 when the original line ran through the nearby Haughton Park, the platform there still exists minus track.
The ‘new’ line from Alford Station to Haughton Park was opened in 1984. By this time the Fowler 0-4-2T ‘Saccarine’ was there, but I believe that it was to big to negotiate the dog leg curves on the line & would only run as far as the first bend at the end of the golf course. I spent a day on the footplate of this loco in August 1988, I’m not really too sure if it was then really safety compliant.
To give you some idea of the state of operations back then, the loaded passenger train would depart with it’s very young looking crew, whilst the Fowler would then follow it up the line for a jolly ( yes, another train ‘in section’), returning in time for the service from Haughton Park to return.
Both lines did operate together for one or two seasons I believe, there was a link line that ran on from the run round down an incline (with an oak tree as a buffer stop), with a set of points allowing access for locos & stock to the Haughton Park line. Around 1989/90, the old tramcar bodied coach ran away when the loco buffered up to it, being stopped by the oak tree.
It should also be pointed out that trains originally ran west from Alford Station past the engine shed, however, a go-cart track was built next to the adjacent motor museum & the tracks cut through this, methinks the go-carts took priority over the railway. Therefore, a new deviation was required to take the railway east & then head past the motor museum to the section next to the golf course.
My last trip on the line was at Christmas 2012 when we took our then 5 month old on his first ‘Santa Special’. It was good, I have always felt that this is an excellent little railway for young families & I am looking forward to seeing it return, but minus the kitsch aspects & road trailer couplings. And another thing…. I hope the revivalists realise that a Facebook only policy for publicity is not the best way forward!
The end of this rant, I promise, it’s ‘A’ford’, no ‘L’ pronounced, but definitely a rolling ‘R’.

[andrewentwistle]

Wow what a great find made by Lawrie. It is certainly every boyhood dream to find an abandoned railway line & engine shed. I would definitely love to see more videos like this one.

[MyMarlinman]

Hi, Really enjoyed your visit to Alford Valley Railway. I travelled on this Railway some years ago.I was told that the old carriage was originally a 19th century horse drawn tram. Very ornate. Such a shame to see it all shut down. I hope they manage to re open it in the near future.

[rodneyvail]

I feel like I was a kid again on a adventure .I always enjoyed exploring old abandoned buildings .I have mixed emotions nowadays driving by vacated farms .There is a sadness of the past simple life of freedom and independence .Thank-you for the journey .

[thescotlandeffect]

The Alford valley railway was a great attraction back in the eighties, so sad to see it in such a poor state.

[radioman]

I rode of this railway in around 2010 after visiting the little museum just across the road. It was great and really enjoyed it. Sad to see it became abandoned/closed down and I hope it rekindles as it was amazing! Good luck to them!

[lxdesign]

Hey there, this is a great video, reminds me of my trip back in June, where I explored abandoned sections of the White Pass & Yukon Route between Carcross and Whitehorse here in Canada. Which is also a narrow gauge railway. I am involved in the YDHR in Ontario .... and I appreciate the lack of volunteers, especially those with mechanical capabilities - we are trying to keep things running, but its an uphill challenge between the maintenance on equipment and the massive amount of work that the track needs.

[sodor_dan-da-man]

Potential new series and restoration project for you Lawrie. But far to travel to daily but still a potential.

[sawyerawr]

your comment about the eerieness of the workshop kind of reminds me of the East Broad Top here in the US: the narrow gauge line put its engines away one night, then the next day, a miner's strike shut the railroad down for good. it's effectively abandoned in place, with part of it running as a tourist line...until it was shuttered again in 2011(?). All isn't lost however: the railroad is back and slowly rebuilding...in fact, their first steam engine to be rebuilt, no. 17, hasn't run since 1956, and still had ash in the pan and flues. Perchance she is not dead, indeed.

[davidcann]

It's so sad to see this railway not running, I have been a visitor with my family a number of times in the past, so many happy memories of trips on the line. I really hope that funds become available to get it working again, thanks for the video....

[SansXut]

Had a small look into the railway after watching this, really shows how much Vegetation can take over so easily

[westlondontransportwildlif]

I had a walk along the Penrith to Keswick Railway in the Lake District and I walked the part from Threlkeld to Keswick which has been turned into a trail. There are marker posts, bricks dotted around, some magnificant bridges and Keswick station is still intact and is now part of a hotel. Expoloring abandoned railway lines is always exciting because you never know what you might find. Great video!

[mitter]

Brings back fond memories, holidayed there often as a tween, the nearby house and estate park at the other end of the railway had a caravan park, and I remember disco dancing, aged 10, so 1980 is correctñ the railway line was an attraction, and was back often with mum and dad, wasn´t so far, couple hours drive and we would just wander the estate and country side, as kids left to do our own thing. Haughton house as it was then known, rode on the line as minature railway in the park

[BusBadger]

You'll be delighted to know, the Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk has been operating with trailer hitch couplings since it opened in the early 90's ;p