Alford Valley Community Railway

About the museum

The first Alford Valley Railway was a branch line from Kintore on the Aberdeen to Inverness main line. It opened on 30 July 1859 and was taken over by the Great North of Scotland Railway. Passenger trains stopped running on 31 December 1949 and freight trains on 31 December 1965.

A 2 ft narrow gauge railway was opened in 1979 by a local railway enthusiast, James Gordon. In 1984 the line between the centre of Alford and Haughton Country Park opened, using the original station platform. It carried visitors until 2017, when it closed because of concerns about the condition of the track and the rolling stock.

A group of local volunteers began to investigate taking over the railway in 2019. A community benefit society was registered in 2020 and a charity in 2021, and in August 2022 the society signed a lease with Aberdeenshire Council. Volunteers then refurbished the line and the station, and the railway runs again as a community-owned attraction, with seasonal timetables, special events such as a Halloween train and a Santa Express.

Highlights

• Original Alford station platform in use again
• 2 ft narrow gauge ride to Haughton Country Park
• Community-owned railway run by volunteers
• Halloween and Santa Express special trains

Founded

1979

Operated by

Alford Valley Community Railway Ltd

Admission & discounts

2026 fares (excluding special events): adult £3.00 single or £6.00 return; concession (60+/student) £2.50 single or £5.00 return; children aged 5 to 16 £1.50 single or £3.00 return; children under 5 free. Members receive a 20% discount. Tickets are sold on the day on a first come, first served basis, and a single carriage takes about 35 passengers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The railway lists disabled parking at Alford station. Train carriages are wheelchair accessible, according to a Doors Open Days listing for the railway, and ear defenders are available on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's fares and a family ticket are offered, and the railway runs a Halloween train and a Santa Express with a visit to Santa.

Getting there & parking

Alford station is off the A944 in Alford village (brown signposts). Satnav postcode for the station is AB33 8AD. Haughton Park station is off Montgarrie Road (satnav AB33 8NA), following the brown signs for Haughton Country Park.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The station can be booked for private events, and groups can ask by e-mail; a rates and terms document is available on the website.

Plan your visit