News
TRH open a replica of Queen Victoria's train carriage at Ballater station
8th April 2008
The Prince of Wales relived his childhood train journeys in Scotland today when he officially opened a reproduction Victorian railway carriage with The Duchess of Cornwall.
Their Royal Highnesses, known as The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, opened the saloon carriage in the village of Ballater, Royal Deeside, on the day of their third wedding anniversary.
The railway carriage, commissioned by VisitScotland is an authentic reproduction of a Victorian saloon carriage, as used by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to journey between Windsor and Ballater in 1869.
The 15 tonne carriage, which is 10.5m long, 2.5m wide and 3.8m high was installed at Ballater in January 2008.
The Prince, who played a key role in ensuring the project was successful, and The Duchess were given a tour of the inside of the carriage, before he unveiled a commemorative plaque.
The Prince said: "I am thrilled that at last this project has come to fruition because it was seven years ago that I came to open the restored station, which had been looking quite sad for a long time.
"I have incredibly special memories of arriving and departing from here as a child. It is wonderful to see it brought back to life.
"I hope it will make an enormous difference to Ballater and this part of Scotland in terms of its attraction."
The project was commissioned by VisitScotland. Its area director for Aberdeen and Grampian, Ian Dunlop, said the Prince's enthusiasm was obvious from his comments today.
He said: "He asked a lot of questions about the physical building, and his interest in railways and Victoriana was obvious.
"He has been a great help throughout this project, opening doors to people who have knowledge about railway heritage.
"It is a very proud day for us all, and we are delighted they chose their third wedding anniversary to come here."
The Prince, who wore a kilt of Gordon Highland tartan, and The Duchess, wearing Balmoral tartan, spoke to well-wishers who had gathered outside to greet them.
Josephine Hazley, from Ballater, said, "They were more than pleasant, and when I wished them a happy anniversary, he said 'thank you for remembering'."
The Prince and The Duchess' engagement today brings to an end a two-day visit to the north of Scotland, which yesterday took in Banffshire and Morayshire.
The 15-tonne railway carriage was installed at the Old Royal Station in January.
Ballater originally became known as the nearest settlement to Balmoral Castle, which lies eight miles along the River Dee to the west.
The Deeside Railway brought the railway to Ballater in 1866 when it built a station there.
It was regularly used by royalty visiting the area and other guests, and it is thought many of Europe's royalty passed through Ballater railway station in the 19th Century.