Dalwhinnie Clock Restoration

For many years a clock frame sat at Dalwhinnie Railway Station, it had been painted over many times and indeed, no-one was sure there was really a clock inside? Attempts to look under the glass, which was always repainted, eventually showed a clock inside.

Jules Akel, local resident, had been patiently suggesting, nudging and writing over the past twenty-five years for an investigation of what was underneath.

A few years ago, the plan to investigate and restore the clock was taken on by the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership as a potential project (HML CRP). Sally Spaven, the Chair of HML CRP, said she would like to assist and would be delighted that Dalwhinnie Station could benefit from such a project.

The clock is the original “Slave” that would have been driven from the mechanical eight day master clock inside the station. Research with the National Railway Museum in York showed that it was likely to be an HR model, supplied by the maker W.R. Christie of Inverness, who supplied clocks between 1870 and 1880 to the Highland Railway. And indeed the clocks at Boat of Garten, on the Strathspey Railway are restored Christie clocks.

The case is pitch pine with a cast bezel and restored original dial. When dismantled the inside revealed what is probably Highland Railway green primer. All parts that could be re-used have been restored and reinstated. And the clock was also transformed to work from the station electrical source behind the scenes.

The clock was meticulously refurbished by horologist Jeremy Burr of Clockwork, Dulnain Bridge.

The initial removal of the clock was undertaken by Network Rail with the assistance of Allan Brooking so that investigations and research could begin. Funding for the restoration was made possible by the Railway Heritage Trust, the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership and Scotland’s Railway.

Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their support.

From Jules Akel

On the stroke of noon on 19th November, Akel gave a short speech outlining the events of the last twenty-five years that lead up to this day. Then the beautifully restored clock was unveiled in front of a small, happy crowd while local piper Rachael Slimon played the pipes. After a short ceremony, the party retired to The Apiary for refreshments.

Also present at the unveiling was Tim Hedley-Jones of the Railway Heritage Trust, Ciaran McGilp from Network Rail, Fee Campbell from ScotRail and Sally Spaven, Kate Howie, Angus Munday, Viv Cree and Simon Hinsley of the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership.

Sadly due to the closure of the A9 Allan Brooking NR and John Wilson ScotRail were unable to attend.

"Travelling Classroom" project - Kingussie

HML CRP had intended to run a "Travelling Classroom" project, providing schools along the Main Line with educational books, toys and games relating to railway safety and take the children on the train for a short trip. Unfortunately, this was "derailed" (if you'll excuse the pun) by Covid, so it never actually got off the ground. What was not derailed was the creation of purpose made wooden "Travelling Classroom Resource Boxes", containing the afore-mentioned collection of educational books, toys, and games intended for P1/2 Primary School children.

Although due to Covid and now the ongoing industrial action we are no longer able to take the children on the train, we were keen to ensure that they still received the resource boxes we’d created especially for them.

The pictures show Kingussie Primary School P1/2 pupils being presented with their resource boxes by Ailsa Schofield, on behalf of HML CRP. The children were also delighted to receive railway safety books kindly supplied by Alan Brooking from Network Rail, and John Wilson from ScotRail.

Pictures taken by Frances Porter, Strathspey & Badenoch Herald.

The Highland Chalet building

The Highland Chalet building on the Northbound platform at Pitlochry Railway Station dates from 1898 and is Grade A listed. Over winter 2019 and Spring 2020 it had a complete external renovation by Network Rail, supported by the Railway Heritage Trust. Cracked chimney stacks were rebuilt, chimney pots had buddleia removed, new roof coverings, replacement roof finials, all glazing was replaced and the entire building painted. We are now looking at how we can restore internally and best use the two Victorian offices in each wing of the building.

World Book Day

Today on World Book Day, March 5th 2020, we launched our “Travelling Classroom” project for P5. Using the book “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail, who had visited Pitlochry High School and wrote of her journey on the train.

We would like to thank Mary Sherriffs, School Librarian and her Assistant, Hazel Renton, both dressed glamorously as crayons for leading the session! We were joined by Michel Lintermans from the Netherlands Railway who is over visiting to see how Community Rail works on our line. The children now have to read the whole book, do some creative activities and are very excited about their train journey to Kingussie and the creative writing they will do. And so are we! Logierait and Blair Atholl Primaries are joining us and we are using our Line Guide, seen on screen as one of the learning tools.

National Rail Awards News!!!

After being judged earlier this year, we are delighted to announce that Pitlochry won the Best Medium Station in the UK at the National Rail Awards which took place on 19th September in London.

The criteria was operations, including safety, infrastructure and customer friendly presentation. Particular emphasis is placed on initiative and innovation. We are delighted for the Station staff, volunteers and Station Adopters to hear this wonderful news.

View Scotrail Press Release

Sally Spaven HML CRP Chair and Station Adopter with Jamie, one of our brilliant ScotRail staff back at Pitlochry with our plaque.

Sally Spaven and Kate Howie, Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire Station Liaison Group Convenor and HML CRP Treasurer.

Tracy Stevenson - ScotRail Community Rail and Sally Spaven

Scotland - The World's Most Beautiful Railway

We have just been advised that this series is commencing on More 4 on the 26th August at 9pm, we understand there are 6 hour long episodes. Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership were involved in the making of this series last summer and earlier this year.

HML CRP AGM at Blair Castle

Highland Main Line CRP were delighted to have Alex Hynes MD attend their AGM at Blair Castle on Wednesday 7th of August, a great opportunity to discuss and talk about the future." Many thanks to Blair Castle for use of the private library for our AGM.

ACORP Awards 2019

Highland Main Line was delighted to hear that two of our Projects have been shortlisted for a Tourism and Heritage Award.

The Heritage Line Guide which was launched last summer and "Highland Fling", our Community Rail in the City event at King's Cross Station in May 2019 have both made the shortlist.

We look forward to the Awards in Telford in October and congratulate all the other shortlisted entries.

Community Volunteer of the Year

Roy Brown (pictured below on the right) from the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership was named Community Volunteer of the Year at the inaugural ScotRail in the Community Awards yesterday. A real champion of community rail!

Neil Sinclair

You will recall following on from the AGM in September we welcomed renowned author Neil Sinclair, to give a series of talks on the Highland Main Line in our smaller communities; Blair Atholl, Dunkeld & Birnam, Kingussie and Carrbridge. Neil wrote a very good article on the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership for publication in the Highland Railway Magazine. Thank you Neil, we hope to see you again at some point.

Read article here