The Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust - Charity No. SC040039

The FRHT became a charity in 2008 to restore to use the adjacent sites which are owned respectively by Network Rail and Aberdeen City Council.
A restored turntable would provide the essential turning facility for the largest steam locomotives in the UK, and thus promote Aberdeen as a destination for steam rail tours. Provision can also be made for locomotive fuel and water and basic maintenance on the site.
The ambition for the Trust is to turn the shed into a working museum. The FRHT owns a number of items of workshop machinery that it uses to provide maintenance facilities for the steam locomotive at the RDRPS railway at Crathes, near Banchory. The FRHT also owns material handling equipment that will assist in any restoration. A Wickham Trolley, used for track inspection, is under restoration. There is a proposal to use this on one of the sidings to provide rides.
There are a number of ex-GNSR carriages stored in the shed. The proposal is that visitors to the shed would be able to observe restoration work on these coaches and thus encourage participation.
The Aberdeen Model Railway Club (AMRC) shares the site. It is hoped that their presence would be an additional attraction for visitors.
The Ferryhill site is next to Duthie Park, which has recently been upgraded and brings many visitors to Aberdeen.

Progress

The Trustees have a short-term lease arrangement with ACC that allows work on the shed. In the past few years, volunteers have repaired some of the building, particularly the roof to make it watertight. However, there remains major work that will require the use of outside contractors. Currently the FRHT is assessing this work with the help of an architect to provide a full report of the scope of this work and its cost.
Concurrently, the FRHT is negotiating with various grant agencies to finance this work. In addition, the Trust hopes that viewing this website will be an encouragement to you to become a Member thus provided funds and expertise to help the Trust to achieve its ambition.
This website provides a facility to download a membership application form and show contact details of the Officers.
Negotiations with Network Rail for the lease of the turntable are nearly finalised. This will allow work on the turntable to commence using a promised grant.