The Deeside Railway was a passenger and goods railway between Aberdeen and Ballater in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Opening in 1853 to Banchory, an extension reached Aboyne in 1859. A separate company, the Aboyne & Braemar Railway, built an extension to Ballater and this opened in 1866. By 1855 there were five services a day over the 43+1⁄4-mile (69.6 km) long line, taking between 1 hour 50 minutes and 2+1⁄2 hours. The line was used by the Royal Train for travel to and from Balmoral Castle from 1853 and a special 'Messenger Train' ran daily when the Royal Family was in residence.
The disused line, east of Ballater, in 2008
Deeside line timetable - summer 1963
A wire fence strainer on the Deeside line near Peterculter made by Harper and Co, Ironfounders, Aberdeen.
Reproduction of a royal carriage used by Queen Victoria at Ballater railway station
Aberdeen railway station is the main railway station in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is the busiest railway station in Scotland north of the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is located on Guild Street in the city centre, next to Union Square.
Aberdeen Station in 2022
A 1913 Railway Clearing House Junction Diagram showing railways in the vicinity of Aberdeen (present station shown here as JOINT PASS. STA.)
The entrance to the station, seen in 2006, before redevelopment as part of Union Square. The Station Hotel can be seen in the background.
Signage at Aberdeen station in May 2012, showing National Rail double-arrow logo