Scotland’s oldest miniature railway has been in the blood of the Kerr family for more than 75 years, and now, following the death of his father, a 15-year-old boy is set to move to the fore.
Angus schoolboy John Kerr was just 10 when his father Matt died suddenly at the age of 62 in 2006.
The former proprietor of the hugely popular Kerr’s Miniature Railway in Arbroath had been known across the county, and indeed Scotland, as “Mr Miniature Railway,” having taken the role on from his father before him Matt senior.
In memory of his father, John has now stepped up to take on the position and is preparing for the coming season to open tomorrow morning.
“That is what he wanted,” John said. “Someone who was able to keep the railway going. So I am trying to follow that up.
“I have always been interested in railways and that was why my father was so well-known he was the man who ran the railway in Arbroath.”
The confident young enthusiast is ably assisted by his mother Jill and a team of volunteers who help run the attraction on a not-for-profit basis.
While the track has remained the same, times have changed since 1935 and a fare that used to cost 3d per adult and 2d for children has recently been forced to increase dramatically.
Rocketing fuel prices mean 50p will be added to last year’s adult tariff, which will now be set at £1.50.
John said, “Sadly, even the railway is being affected by the inflation of fuel, as prices are being raised to £1.50 for adults.
“However, the child price will stay at £1, with children under two travelling free.
“Last year we found we couldn’t cover our cost in the same way as usual and were having to spend a lot more on unleaded and diesel for the engines.”Easter openingThe railway will be open for two weeks over the Easter holidays and then every weekend until July, when Angus schools break-up for summer.
Trips will run throughout the holidays until the end of August when the service will revert to weekends only until September.
Volunteers have spent the winter on a range of tasks including an overhaul on engine “King George VI” known as Bertha. It is being painted and lined in Great Western Railway colours by a local air brusher, Bob Falconer.
John said, “We have fitted the loco with many new parts to make her more reliable and given her boiler a big clean out.
“She should be in use this year quite frequently as steam engines do not like to sit around doing nothing. We’ve also fitted all the passenger coaches with new couplings which should make your ride a bit smoother this year.”
The railway launched its new website in January and now also has a Facebook site, giving up-to-date information and pictures taken by either passengers or volunteers.
Volunteers, including two new members, have recently replaced sleepers, renewed points and designed a bespoke flag to show the track is open. Tickets have had a revamp and are printed to look like they are from the early days of rail.
Planned and built by Matthew Kerr sen, the railway was an instant hit when first opened, carrying 11,350 passengers in its first season. By 1955 the railway had become so popular that 60,000 people were hauled up and down the line.
Numbers decline in the 1960s and 70s, threatening it with closure, but the hard work and enthusiasm of Matt jun rekindled its popularity and in 2001 it was awarded a four-star grading from the Scottish Tourist Board.
A full timetable and opening times are available at www.kerrsminiaturerailway.co.uk.