On Saturday 10th April, Stranraer, in South West Scotland, witnessed the historic event of a steam locomotive returning to the town - the first time a steam-powered train has run on the Stranraer to Ayr section of line since 1967.
The double-headed steam train was powered by two Stanier Black Fives, as part of the Railway Touring Company's 9 day tour of the UK, under the name of "Great Britain III." It is hoped that this could become a regular event in this largely forgotten part of Dumfries and Galloway, boosting tourism in the area.
Because of the tourism potential, the Stranraer to Ayr Line Support Association (SAYLSA) organised a welcoming party of Wigtownshire based businesses, including the Whithorn Trust, Stena Line and Cream o' Galloway.
There were also two pipers on hand to greet tourists.
Whilst the train was stationary, SAYLSA distributed leaflets on local attractions such as Castle Kennedy Gardens, the Dark Skies Park, Wigtown Book Festival, Bladnoch Distillery and the Whithorn Story to passengers on the train carriages.
Also supporting this initiative are the Wigtownshire Chambers of Commerce, who have plans to lay on coach trips from the station in Stranraer to visitor attractions and scenic areas of the region if railway tourism proved to be a success in the area.
A similar scheme in Yorkshire attracts thousands of people to the area each year.
Steam returning to Stranraer was only a dream for SAYLSA 3 years ago, when Managing Director of the Railway Touring Company (RTC), Nigel Dobbing said he would consider the option.
Fast forward to 2010 and that dream became a reality with the RTC extending the tour by a day in order to include the Stranraer to Ayr section of line.
On this glorious sunny day, around a thousand people gathered at Stranraer station to watch Stanier Black Fives 44871 and 45407 pull in 11 carriages.
The atmosphere was buzzing. Every bridge, level crossing and station in the area was crowded with hundreds more spectators.
A significant number gathered at Dunragit where the staff of West Coast Railways had to perform a shunting manoeuvre to move one the engines to the back.
From Ayr onwards, the train was pulled by both Stanier Blacks in order to tackle two steep climbs between Girvan and Barrhill. Whilst in Stranraer, the engines took on water and carried out some more shunting, to move both engines to the front again for the steep climb on the return journey.
It is hoped that the success of this event will be replicated when steam trains return to the Stranraer line on October 2nd - this time using engines 70013 (Oliver Cromwell) and 45305 (Black Five).
This new boost in tourism may be short lived though if plans by D&G Council and SWSTRANS go ahead.
As part of Stranraer's regeneration, the existing station is due to be demolished and rebuilt as a modern interchange a few hundred yards away, unable to accommodate steam trains.
By proving that the tourist trains can provide a boost the local economy, local businesses hope to be able to stop this action and continue enjoying the benefits of steam railway tourism for many years to come.
Mike Harrison is a web professional and photographer, who also happens to be webmaster for Visit Stranraer and the Rhins [http://www.visittherhins.co.uk/] - a tourist information site for this largely forgotten but very beautiful part of South West Scotland.
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