Alan Stuart, a Dundee civil engineer whose passion for railways led him to work in the industry and become a director of the Strathspey Railway Company, has died at the age of 48.
Born in Inverness, the only son of Marjorie and Donald and brother to Gillian and Susan, he was brought up in Monifieth and attended Invertay Primary and Monifieth High.
He developed a keen interest in railways and, with his sisters, they became known locally as “the railway children” as for long periods they could be seen hanging over their garden fence watching and waving as the trains sped by at Monifieth.
Mr Stuart went to work for civil engineering firm Torith, starting as a technician on DC Thomson’s Kingsway extension in Dundee.
After gaining an HNC at Kirkcaldy College, he worked on many of the company’s water service contracts and progressed to manage a range of challenging infrastructure projects.
These included the treatment works at Glencarse and Newburgh reed beds, and a phase of the recently completed Grassy Beach walkway in Dundee.
Mr Stuart’s interest in railways led to him become a volunteer at Strathspey in Aviemore, and he rose to be made a director of the company which runs steam and diesel locomotives in one of Scotland’s most scenic areas.
His practical knowledge of civil engineering proved invaluable, both in infrastructure maintenance and in the safe removal and relocation of otherwise redundant railway track.
This material was gifted to the Strathspey Railway Company and came from such diverse locations as Kincardine Power Station and Strome Ferry.
It was then re-laid on the Aviemore to Boat of Garten line at a time when it was being extended north through to Broomhill and south to the town’s mainline station.
Leaving Torith in 2008, Mr Stuart attained a lifetime ambition to work on the national rail network, starting with Network Rail on the Airdrie to Bathgate project and most recently moving on to the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Project, where he was promoted to construction manager responsible for site works associated with bridge modification.
He also enjoyed hill-walking and attending lectures on various aspects of engineering.
Holidays, when taken with like-minded colleagues, were invariably by rail, when he travelled to Europe to view how continental steam railways operated.
His enthusiasm and drive underpinned many of the achievements in his life.
His partner Shona, his relatives and many friends will miss him greatly.
Mr Stuart’s funeral will take place at Parkgrove Crematorium on Tuesday.
A celebration of his life will be held in Aviemore at a future date.