Hammerson, the developer of the £250 million Union Square development in the heart of Aberdeen, has donated track from the former goods yard which is now Union Square.

More than three-quarters of a mile of track has been gifted to the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society and will soon be laid, which will partly link the Banchory and Crathes rail stations.

Jon Tyler, Deeside Railway managing director, said: "After hearing the goods yard next to Aberdeen Station was to be developed, we wrote to Hammerson asking if we could take some of the track and we were delighted when Hammerson agreed to this request.

"As the society is a charity, we are always extremely grateful for donations. Such a large amount of track with sleepers now allows us to steam ahead and hopefully complete the rail link much sooner than originally planned".

Guy Wells, development manager for Hammerson's Union Square said: "We were naturally happy to assist the local Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society with its request and help reuse track for a local and worthwhile cause.

"The recycling of rail track for the society is an example of one such initiative which Hammerson's sustainability policy was intended to benefit".

For over 100 years, the Deeside Railway carried passengers and goods from Aberdeen into the heart of Royal Deeside. Although the Deeside Railway was one of the most scenic and picturesque lines in the Aberdeenshire area, the line was mentioned in the Beeching Report of 1963 as a loss-making railway, closing to passengers on February 28 1966.

Goods traffic to the Culter Paper Mills kept the line open for freight until December 30 1966, when Class B1 Steam Locomotive No. 61180 became the last steam train to run on the Deeside Railway.

Arnott Young Ltd were given the task of dismantling the line and by 1972 the tracks of the Deeside Railway had been lifted.

A portion of the line is now being brought back to life by the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society, allowing families and enthusiasts alike a view into the fascinating way of life in the Victorian Era.
For more information on the railway, visit: www.deeside-railway.co.uk