Volunteers at an Angus tourist attraction have asked for support to repair the ravages of the big freeze.
Almost six months after the worst winter in decades, Brechin’s Caledonian Railway has suffered a delayed start to its season because of severe frost damage to the platforms at the 163-year-old station.
The extended spell of bitter weather led to crumbling edges on the platforms at the station, leaving those who run the railway with no option but to close the attraction to visitors because of the risk to passengers.
The railway’s season of Sunday opening should have been up and running by now, and there are hopes that some work already under way will allow the doors to open soon for passengers to enjoy the popular steam rides.
However, the scale of the frost damage has left the railway with a financial headache, which might stretch to £15,000, and officials are hopeful that Angus Council may be able to deliver some help in getting the works complete as quickly as possible.
Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville and Angus Alliance leader Bob Myles visited the railway to see the scale of the winter damage for themselves.
Caledonian Railway chairman Andrew Webster said, “We are trying to cobble together funding to undertake the work and have actually started on it, but we cannot run properly until the railway is inspected and everything is declared okay.
“We have bought new flags, which will have to be laid by a contractor, and what we hope is that the council may be able to advise us on whether money may be available to assist.
“We hope to start running at the end of this month, but that may have to be delayed, or run on a truncated section.”
The railway attracts around 20,000 visitors a year, with Sunday steam days joined on the timetable by special events, including the hugely popular Thomas the Tank-themed event.
“The railway is all operated by volunteers and we are totally reliant on them to run in, and whatever monies we can bring in,” added Mr Webster.