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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.

About

The youngest locomotive 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”.

Queen Anne being liberated from an isolated piece of track beside Aviemore Speyside station in 2010
Queen Anne being liberated from an isolated piece of track beside Aviemore Speyside station in 2010

The other locomotive is an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST of 1936 which worked at Balmenach distillery until 1968.  When presented to the Strathspey Railway it still carried its “Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd” livery.


Balmenach at Boat of Garten 2002
Balmenach at Boat of Garten 2002

It is intended to restore to these locomotives to something approaching museum condition in their as-delivered form.  While Queen Anne can be restored to working order, “Balmenach” would need substantial external funding to overhaul the boiler, but all other parts could be fully restored.  The cost to the Strathspey Railway is minimal, as materials used are mainly either surplus off-cuts or supplied free of charge by the restorers themselves.  Up to January 2016, the only costs for Queen Anne were £400 for new liners, head gaskets and piston rings, and a £100 donation from the “Friends of Broomhill” for repairs to one of the cylinder heads.


While the object is to restore to original condition, small improvements to the design will be made to facilitate future maintenance, for example by using stainless steel bolts where corrosion is likely, and using modern filters for the engine in place of the relatively ineffective felt and wire gauze originals.

Queen Anne in May 2011 almost completely stripped down
Queen Anne in May 2011 almost completely stripped down

It is hoped that these locomotives could form a key part of educating visitors to the heritage of the Strathspey Railway and its whisky connections.  They could also be used at special events for brakevan rides and “driver for a fiver” as well as featuring in any whisky-themed events.


Finally, many thanks to those volunteers who have given their enthusiastic suppor and encouragement to the project by helping with dismantling, cleaning, painting and other odd jobs.