Caledonian Railway

Are there plans to extend the CR east of Bridge Of Dun in the future?

 

The trackbed beyond Bridge of Dun is complete as far as Hillside, in sight of the mainline. However, between Hillside and Kinnaber Junction a housing estate has been built, so there is no chance of a return to Kinnaber.

There is another possibility: from Dubton (the intermediate station between Bridge of Dun and Hillside), the (original) Caledonian Railway had a branch to Montrose which ran around the back of the town alongside the present-day golf course, terminating near the docks. Montrose Caley station still exists, converted quite tastefully to an old people's home. Although much of this formation has been built over or used for roads, the intial part is basically intact (Save 50 yards of missing low embankment) from Dubton Junction to the old underbridge where the Caledonian's line dived under the North British (ECML) route.

It would therefore be theoretically possible to extend the modern-day Caledonian Railway back to this point, doubling the length of its line to 8 miles. However, you would end up with a station next to an industrial estate on the Northern edge of Montrose with no Network Rail interchange and some distance from the town centre. Given the precious few volunteers at Brechin are fully comitted to maintaining and upgrading the existing four-mile section any extension is extremely unlikely to happen unless some massive funding suddenly gets awarded.

 

For many years a Carflat wagon, B745232, built on the underframe of BR Mark I CK 15778 has lain at Cleland on the Edinburgh - Glasgow Central route via Shotts. Apparently it has recently been removed and has reportedly found its way to the Caledonian Railway. Anyone able to confirm whether this is correct?

 

Would they have their own station at Montrose?

 

One project moves on despite the difficult circumstances. The built of the new diesel maintenance and storage depot at Bridge of Dun. It will unify the two separated diesel workshops of the Railway. The freed space will be used for storing carriages.
More pictures and information on their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/TheCaledonianRailway/?ref=py_c
There's also the Brechin Railway Preservation society which covers also many news from the railway: https://www.facebook.com/brechinrailwaypreservationsociety/

At least some positive news

 

Only viewable with a Facebook account

 

I've just read it and I'm not a Faceache member.
Ray.

 

I’ll try again

 

Plans to reinstate the canopies at Brechin announced. This would make it one of the finest stations in preservation: https://caledonianrailway.com/brechin-canopy-project

 

There is a appeal for the Brechin Station Canopy. It aims at the reinstation of the canopy, where supporting columns are preserved.
https://caledonianrailway.com/brechin-canopy-project

 

Railway looks to have very nearly finished a new 12-loco motive power shed/workshop - hugely impressive!
https://www.facebook.com/TheCaledonianRailway/posts/4047946018602922

 

Looks very impressive.

Its a shame they weren't able to buy that Belgian Steam Locomotive all that time ago. True it may been a wreck but at least it was a Caledonian design engine, so at least it could been placed on display.

 

The more impressive fact is that they are making provision as regards Loco and Carriage maintenance and protection from the elements so restorations are not wasted. Far better to stick with the current line than struggling to extend all the way to Montrose whilst at the same time fighting a loosing battle with maintenance of coaches and locos.
Canopies at Brechin would be the icing on a well run cake.

 

That is a seriously impressive achievement by any heritage railway's standards, it will be even better as the internal fitting out continues.

 

"You must log in to continue." Any reason for restricting the info to people with facebook accounts?

 

I don't think that's the railway's fault, but something to do with your browser, I can view it just fine if I open the link in Google Chrome Incognito on my laptop.

 

I get the same message - and I'm using Google Chrome.
Ray.

 

Looks like quite a positive development. Would they get a lot of their vehicles undercover?

 

The CR has a lot of stock. From memory, at least 6 mk1s, 3 mk2s, and fifty-odd wagons. Plus 7 type 2 diesels, one type 3, and assorted shunters. There may be a couple of class 20s there now too. I expect this means they'll get all the coaching stock and the diesels undercover; the operational/under overhaul steam engines have always been undercover at the old coal shed at Brechin.