Proposal to rebuild the line to Ballater

[Bald Rick]

It would probably be cheaper to offer potential Ballater line users a free taxi service for life. It would certainly be more flexible for most of them

It would definitely be cheaper, better for almost all passengers, and far better for the environment.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

But a car starts at the minute the occupants want to start, from the place they want to start, and goes as close as possible to where they want to be. A trip by rail (or bus) needs to factor in the frequency of the service (and its reliability) and places it will pick up and drop off. The comparison of a car drive from the centre of Ballater, or Banchory, to the centre of Aberdeen with a train trip is largely irrelevant unless the user can work to the timetable and wants to leave and arrive very close to the stations.

The prospect of sufficient likely volumes to justify a fraction of the expense seems unlikely, even to Banchory.

The success of the Border Railway is due to it operating through a more populous region (Galashiels 16,000, Banchory under 8,000) and the ability to achieve some quite high speeds. Nevertheless it received massive public support and will require further support as long as it runs. Fare income from a few 2 car trains that might possibly be busy, and a lot more that are almost empty, won't make a business case. It takes a huge weight of other factors to overcome that.

It would probably be cheaper to offer potential Ballater line users a free taxi service for life. It would certainly be more flexible for most of them

And a frequent bus service, to which both Ballater and Banchory already have: the 201 operated by Stagecoach North Scotland. It goes even further Ballater too! (to Braemer)

 

[JKF]

What the crayonistas are failing to suggest is the Braemar-Aviemore tunnel under the Cairngorms which would then allow through services to Inverness. That then allows them to play the ‘useful diversion route’ card. A disappointing lack of ambition guys.

 

[Bald Rick]

What the crayonistas are failing to suggest is the Braemar-Aviemore tunnel under the Cairngorms which would then allow through services to Inverness. That then allows them to play the ‘useful diversion route’ card. A disappointing lack of ambition guys.

It wouldn’t even need much of a tunnel. Straight up Glen Dee, short tunnel under Braeriach, and then down to Aviemore. It would actually be a shorter line from Ballater than to Aberdeen, it could serve Balmoral directly, and the very popular walking ‘start point’ at Linn of Dee, which are by far the two most popular traffic generators in the area, so would reduce all the congestion on the roads there. I mean, yes, it would involve bulldozing through a National Park, but the benefits are massive, anyone can see that.

Hold on, I forgot the

 

[A0]

What the crayonistas are failing to suggest is the Braemar-Aviemore tunnel under the Cairngorms which would then allow through services to Inverness. That then allows them to play the ‘useful diversion route’ card. A disappointing lack of ambition guys.

Indeed and I'm similarly disappointed that none of them have suggested wiring it at 25kv and using Class 365s which are currently un-used

 

[Tobbes]

Indeed and I'm similarly disappointed that none of them have suggested wiring it at 25kv and using Class 365s which are currently un-used

365s? Appalling lack of ambition - 442s with a new AC traction package and pantographs....

 

[Glenn1969]

Given that the candidate backing it didn't win I take it this plan will be quickly forgotten after the election?

 

[Tobbes]

Given that the candidate backing it didn't win I take it this plan will be quickly forgotten after the election?

Presumably. But the SNP's failure in Aberdeen West does suggest that they'd want to keep this bubbling along in the next wee while.

 

[jacobmartin]

I think it's a great idea but they should be really careful with that.