Boddam Branch
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The Boddam Branch Line was a 15-mile branch line constructed by the Great North of Scotland Railway from Ellon railway station to Boddam in Aberdeenshire in 1897. The line was single track, with passing loops at stations.
History
The line was constructed to connect the newly built luxury GNSoR owned Cruden Bay Hotel in Cruden Bay to the wider rail network, and ran on to Boddam to connect to the local quarries. The line ran through a very rural area, from a junction with the Formartine and Buchan Railway at Ellon railway station, however the line was constructed to a high standard, with bridges throughout.
In Cruden Bay itself, the station was connected to the Hotel by the electric Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway.
Closure
The line and tramway were closed to passengers in 1932 due to lack of traffic. The hotel was served by a Rolls Royce motorcar until its closure, when it was requisitioned by the armed forces following the outbreak of World War II. After the war, the hotel and tramway were demolished completely.
The line was closed to freight in 1945, with the branch being used to store wagons until the track was lifted in 1950.
The line today
Unlike the Formartine and Buchan Railway, the route of the line was not preserved as it closed far earlier. Parts of the line are built on, and the rest has been abandoned and returned to nature. However, most of the route is still visible, with several embankments, cuttings and road over-bridges are still in situ along the route (however many have been backfilled to allow farm access).
All of the bridges which carried the railway have been demolished, including the substantial Cruden Bay viaduct, where some supports are still visible.
There is very little evidence remaining at station sites; most have been built on. A goods shed stood in Hatton until it was demolished in 2012.
Walking the length of the line is difficult, as some sections have been removed entirely (particularly where the line crossed the A90 and A975), and several extant sections are fenced, prohibiting access.
There are no plans to reinstate the line.