A group that wants to bring trains back to Scotland’s north-east corner needs to raise more than £160,000 to buy the tracks for the first phase of the ambitious project.
Retired train driver and engineer Bill Scatterty unveiled proposals last year to reinstate a 10-mile track between Portsoy and neighbouring communities.
Last night, he revealed an agreement has now been reached between his group – North-east of Scotland Railway – and a local landowner.
The group now needs to raise £162,000 to purchase the remains of the abandoned Tillynaught line with the long-term vision of transforming it into a working heritage attraction.
Last night, Mr Scatterty said the project is still in its early stages but renewed a call for volunteers.
“We’re determined to get this thing going no matter what,” he added.
“We’ve met various people and groups who want to offer us help when the project is finished, but we need help now – not when it’s done.”
The section of railway line was closed in the 1960s and since then most of the track has been ripped away to make way for farming land.
“But some of the track bed is there,” Mr Scatterty said.
“It’s a tourist thing we’re doing.
“It would be standard gauge track and we’re on the lookout for old engines. Electrification means some diesel engines are being retired.
“We might try to get a steam engine in the next few years.”
The first phase of the project would refurbish the remaining tracks at Tillynaught Railway Station.
Eventually, it could be extended into Elgin and east towards Banff.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the group should call Mr Scatterty on 07540 110 026.