THE ELLON GANG

As we work through the year, work on the line can get more difficult as some of our volunteers take on operational roles and we operate on more days of the week – and indeed, some of our regular volunteers take on more track walking turns to ensure that the track remains safe and no other faults which might prejudice the safe passage of trains arise. As one of those volunteeFor many years the team of volunteers known as the ELLON GANG have been touring around the railway quietly attending to all sorts of maintenance jobs, big and small, lengthy and trivial. They formed in 2009 but I first met them when they took on the mammoth job of repainting all the buildings at Boat Station. The result still looks good after five years. This job included the refurbishing of some original platform hand carts. The South Signal Box at Boat followed soon after, a job involving complete scaffolding for access to the first floor and the roof.

Another major task was the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore, involving the replacement of many rotten panels. The steps were also in need of attention, and it was found that their angle was incorrect, too steep, so Colin Frost decreed that a new set of steps should be manufactured. For this job we engaged the services of David Putnam of Dulnain Bridge. David is an expert in restoring period wood structures amongst other joinery skills. With some considerable email exchanges between David and Mike Tough, a new design was drawn up having an extra step and the correct tread spacing, quite important given the proximity to our main line! This was constructed in Iroko hardwood.

Other major and less expansive tasks completed by the ‘Gang’ include: - Red paintwork and roofline refurb working from a wagon fitted with scaffolding at Aviemore Station. Arranging the fabrication, supply and installation of the ‘Roy Hamilton’ sign. Involvement in the installation of the fixed mains water supply to the shed and piping-up the toilets to the septic tank.
Replacement Porter’s Room door at Boat. North Signal Box at Boat painted inside and out (this ended up having quite a lot of woodwork replaced). The painting of the P Way Palvan in time for the Gala last year and which was to be seen being part of the Guards Van train joy rides. Renovation of four hand carts at Boat. Involvement in the pipework and commissioning of the Water Tower at Boat. Renovation and painting of the LMS Brake Van. Arranging the fabrication of the replacement ‘Strathspey Railway’ sign near the turntable at Aviemore. Renovation and replacement of the running-in boards at Boat.

Sad to report then that the Ellon Gang are unlikely to be seen again as a team, as time is taking its toll and several members are no longer able to dedicate themselves to the arduous work. We therefore must thank Colin Frost and Ray Kenyon for leading a team that included at times, Hayden Barrett, Dan Courtier, Nick Courtier, David Crosley, Dick Davis, Jim Hardy, Peter Mandy, Jim Pittendrigh and Mike Tough. They have achieved a tremendous amount in their rime as a team.

- David Childs