Ambitious plans to extend a Highland heritage railway will reach a vital milestone later this month, when a bridge is laid over the River Dulnain.
A huge rail-mounted crane is coming north to install the bridge over the river and keep Aviemore-based Strathspey Railway on track for eventually reaching Grantown.
The Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust announced yesterday that the major step in the Rails to Grantown project is planned for February 14.
A steel bridge structure, donated by Network Rail in 2008, which used to cross Merry Street in Motherwell will be installed over the River Dulnain.
A massive rail-borne Kirow 1200 crane, operated by Colas Rail, will lift the bridge beams into position, and 39 Engineer Regiment based at Kinloss, plan to assist with later bridge work. This crane can lift up to 125tonnes, and each of the main bridge beams, over near 90ft span, weighs 14.5tonnes.
Once in place, Strathspey Railway staff and volunteers will make plans to lay track across the bridge and over the Muckrach Estate lands towards the planned tunnel under a re-aligned A95. Grantown will then be just one mile away.
Trust chairman David Fraser said: “We are indebted to a number of companies, both local and national, who have been able to help at reduced or no cost at all. The sight of the bridge going in will resoundingly confirm that the railway is on its way back to Grantown with just one more big hurdle, the A95, and we hope that Transport Scotland can make the tunnel and road re-alignment happen soon.
“Our local politicians are united in support for this project to succeed.”
Trust community representative Basil Dunlop said: “I am really excited about this. The day we get the trains back to Grantown will be one which is great news for the town. People and businesses here will clearly see that we intend to see this happen.”
Trust Engineering Member Mike Tough said “Our staff and volunteers have some preparation to do to facilitate the operation of the Kirow 1200 crane and placement of the main beams. It will be such an encouraging sight to see the bridge going in and thereafter we’ll get some more track in over the bridge and onward to Grantown.”