Boddam Branch

Boddam branch
Locale Scotland Dates of operation 2 August 1897 – 1945 Track gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Length 15 miles (24 km)
Legend
Boddam Longhaven Bullers o' Buchan Cruden Bay Hatton Pitlurg Auchmacoy Formartine and Buchan Railway to Maud Junction Ellon Formartine and Buchan Railway to Dyce

The Boddam Branch Line was a 15-mile branch line constructed by the Great North of Scotland Railway from Ellon railway station to Boddam in Aberdeenshire in 1897. The line was single track, with passing loops at stations.

History

The line was constructed to connect the newly built luxury GNSoR Cruden Bay Hotel in Cruden Bay to the wider rail network. From there, the line ran on to Boddam to serve local quarries. The line ran through a very rural area, from a junction with the Formartine and Buchan Railway at Ellon railway station, however the line was constructed to a high standard, with bridges throughout.

In Cruden Bay itself, the station was connected to the Hotel by the electric Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway.

Closure

The line and tramway were closed to passengers in 1932 due to lack of traffic. The hotel was served by a Rolls Royce motorcar until its closure, when it was requisitioned by the armed forces following the outbreak of World War II. After the war, the hotel and tramway were demolished completely.

The line was closed to freight in 1945, with the branch being used to store wagons until the track was lifted in 1950.

The line today

Bridge over the trackbed near Hatton station.

Unlike the Formartine and Buchan Railway, the route of the line was not preserved as it closed far earlier. Parts of the line are built on, and the rest has been abandoned and returned to nature. However, most of the route is still visible, with several embankments, cuttings and road over-bridges are still in situ along the route (however many have been backfilled to allow farm access).

All of the bridges which carried the railway have been demolished, including the substantial Cruden Bay viaduct, where some supports are still visible.

There is very little evidence remaining at station sites; most have been built on. A goods shed stood in Hatton until it was demolished in 2012.

Walking the length of the line is difficult, as some sections have been removed entirely (particularly where the line crossed the A90 and A975), and several extant sections are fenced, prohibiting access.

There are no plans to reinstate the line.