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While the main focus of the Strathspey Railway is running steam trains for the paying public, a small but dedicated group of volunteers has been restoring other items of heritage interest in spare moments between working on the loco fleet and improving locoshed infrastructure and facilities.

The current project is a Ruston Hornsby 48DS diesel shunter of 1948 which worked at Longmorn distillery until 1980 (even though Dr Beeching had closed the adjacent main line in 1967). Because it was presented to the Strathspey Railway repainted with advertisements for Queen Anne blended scotch whisky, it is known to most people as “Queen Anne”.

To find out more about our aims, follow this link or click the [About] button above.

This Blog was started over 5 years after the project began, so most of the initial blog entries are retrospective.

Wednesday 4 May 2016

Liberation from Aviemore Speyside (2010)

In autumn 2010, Queen Anne was liberated from an isolated piece of track beside the disused Aviemore Speyside station.

This was possibly the first time the loco had actually moved in more than 25 years.  It had arrived at the Strathspey Railway in 1980, and was used for a few years before being abandoned.

Ruston 48DS Queen Anne being lifted from its section of track.
Queen Anne being lifted from its section of track.
Mind those chains on the cab roof.... Oh well, we can easily straighten that bit out.

Ruston 48DS Queen Anne Back on the Rail Network
Back on the "Rail Network"
The Smith Rodley crane puts QA back onto the track in Aviemore yard, assisted by Colin, Tom and someone else.

Ruston 48DS Queen Anne outside the locoshed coupled to a bigger Ruston - 165HP BR Class 97/6 No. PWM651
QA outside the locoshed coupled to a bigger Ruston - 165HP BR Class 97/6 No. PWM651
QA waits to be put under cover in the locoshed, where it is warm and dry (a bit of poetic licence there).  Note the severe corrosion and the fact that the exhaust pipe is not covered.  But at least the loco is complete.
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