The Development of Railways in Perth

Since taking a summer job with British Rail after graduating from Aberdeen University in 1986, Neale Elder has been involved in the railway service ever since and is currently Mobile Operations Manager for Network Rail.

Using his extensive knowledge and experience Neale will take us on a journey of how railways developed in Perth, looking at the early companies which all converged, almost simultaneously, upon the city, with different intentions, proposed routes and destinations, highlighting how these conflicting interests all came together and the major engineering works necessary to facilitate this, such as the Moncreiffe tunnel and the Tay viaduct. The development of the General Station will be examined and how it linked to other railway facilities in Perth, including the inter-war establishment of Perth as a stronghold of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway with its huge locomotive depot.

Neale will take us through the post WW2 development of the British Transport Commission Modernisation Plan, which saw the appearance of Perth’s power signal box (still operational today after 63 years) and the marshalling yards (which unfortunately failed to meet expectations after almost immediately succumbing to the changes under Dr Beeching) and how things developed thereafter. Neale will also provide some personal accounts of the more recent development of the railways during his working life on the railways since 1986.

The evening is open to PCT Members and to the general public on a first come, first served basis. The Talk will be preceded by Perth Civic Trust’s AGM at 6.45pm