Published on:
09
May 2008
Hundreds of rail fans from all over Europe are expected to join crowds of enthusiastic locals at points along the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line as it re-opens on Thursday 15th May.
The line will be officially opened on the morning of 15th May by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson and Provost Derek Stewart. The ceremony will take place in the station car park and be attended by around 300 invited guests.
To mark the occasion the guests will make the maiden journey to Stirling aboard a steam train hauled by the Great Marquess and by the Royal Scots Grey for the return trip.
The train has been provided by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society who are running three pleasure trips in the afternoon. Tickets for these journeys were snapped up quickly and the hundreds of ticket holders should use the free park and ride bus service which is being provided by the Council on the day. Buses will run from Morrisons car park to Alloa Station.
There will be ample opportunity for those not lucky enough to have a ticket for the steam train, or the official opening, to join in the historic occasion.
The Council is recommending that sightseers and rail enthusiasts congregate at a 'viewing point' near Clackmannan Cricket Club with parking at Pavillions Business Park. Access to the platform at Alloa Station will not be permitted to anyone other than invited guests on 15th May.
Anyone wishing to see the arrival of the steam train at Stirling Station should note that access to station platforms will also be restricted and that the station will be operating as normal and may be busy at times.
Visitors and locals are also encouraged to view the commemorative exhibition 'This Line is now OPEN for TRAFFIC..' organised by the Council's Museum and Heritage Service. The exhibition will be on display to VIP guests in the launch day marquee on the morning of Thursday 15th May and in the afternoon will move to the Lesser Hall in the nearby Speirs Centre in Primrose Street. The exhibition will also be open to the public in Greenfield House Reception from 16th - 17th May. This includes the afternoon of the Community Fayre, which is taking place in Greenfield Park from noon-4pm on Saturday 17th May.
A map showing the location of the recommended viewing point for the steam train on 15th May is available on request. Free parking is available at the Pavilions Business Park.