RAILWAY ENTHUSIASTS from all over Britain are expected to visit Brechin for the Caledonian Railway’s annual Diesel Gala.

The event gives the public a rare chance to enjoy a ride behind the railway preservation society’s collection of heritage locomotives which date back to the 1950s and 60s.

This year the Caledonian Railway has teamed up with Fettercairn Distillery to make the gala the best yet.

The event, scheduled for the holiday long weekend of May 5-7 will see the return of a locomotive last used in the area around 1989.

“Nearly 18 years ago to the day this locomotive was working passenger trains between Montrose and Aberdeen, so it’s a great triumph to have it running here in the local area again,” one of the Caledonian Railway’s volunteers said.

The Class 37 locomotive, which has been restored by volunteers, will be named Old Fettercairn in a ceremony during the weekend. The name is in recognition of Fettercairn Distillery who sponsored essential repairs to the loco’s engine.

“We are very grateful to the distillery for helping us with our latest project. Most of our funding comes from donations from individuals or from the railway, and this will allow this engine to run for years to come,” said the volunteers.

All the diesels at the railway worked regularly in Scotland until their withdrawal by British Railways in the early 1980s. Since then many of the locomotives have been bought by individuals and moved to private sites around the UK.

Years of hard work by volunteers of the Caledonian Railway has secured one of the largest single collections of these locomotives.

The first diesel, a Class 27, was moved to the Brechin headquarters in 1988 and since then the railway has acquired another six.

More information can be found at www.caledonianrailway.co.uk or by telephoning 07969 291335.