FERRYHILL RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST
(Incorporating Ferryhill Men’s Shed)
ABOUT US
The Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust was established in 2007 to take over the remaining buildings and turntable of the former Ferryhill locomotive depot and to restore and transform the site into a working heritage railway site, and Museum for the north-east of Scotland.
Brief History of Ferryhill Engine Shed-BR Code 61B
The Aberdeen Railway Company built the first part of the shed before the opening of their railway from the south in April 1850. The shed continued through ownership by the Scottish North Eastern, Caledonian and LMS railways before final closure by BR in 1987. Although owned by the Caledonian Railway, the North British Railway used the shed’s facilities, a practice continued by the LNER.
The shed had an extension built in the 1860s and a further one in the 1880s to bring it to its present size. The Caledonian Railway expanded the site in the early twentieth century into adjacent fields, built a large additional shed and installed the 70ft turntable. They converted the original shed for wagon maintenance. The area of the additional new shed is now a housing development leaving the original shed, sidings and turntable.
Network Rail (NR) now owns the site that contains the sidings and turntable. Aberdeen City Council (ACC) took over the shed and area to provide storage for their equipment. They no longer have a use for the building but retain the use of part of the site. We are currently in discussion on obtaining a lease for the rest of the site, currently network rail owned.
The turntable is now a Grade ‘A’ listed structure and the shed Grade ‘B’. The turntable is on “The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland” (www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk). The shed is brick-built, unusual for Aberdeen, and is one of the few remaining railway structures in the area. Built before 1850, it is a building from the dawn of the railways and its Grade ‘B’ reflects this importance.
VISIT FRHT
Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust
Polmuir Avenue, Aberdeen, AB11 7WH
We are open during our Turntable turn days, these are listed below, keep an eye out on our social media for more updates to this!
Currently no Turntable Turn Days scheduled as of 03/2026 – please visit later for further updates
We have our easter opening day on Sunday 5th April 2026, we will be open from 11am to 4pm. We will be providing easter egg hunt, turntable demonstrations, site tours and our museum will be open too!
Our Volunteers are on site. Opening Times
Tuesday 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 6pm – 10pm
Thursday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm
Easter Open Day
Celebrate Easter with a fantastic family day out at the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust Easter Open Day!
Join us on Sunday 5th April 2026, from 11am to 4pm, for a fun-filled day at our historic railway site. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or simply looking for a great way to spend Easter with the family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Explore a secret site near the centre of Aberdeen and discover the important role the railway played in the city’s industrial and social development. Step back in time as you experience a unique piece of local heritage unknown to most of the public.
Enjoy turntable demonstrations, workshop displays, and guided site tours, offering a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing restoration work and our fascinating collection. Visit our museum to learn more about the history of railways in the area.
For younger visitors, don’t miss the Easter egg hunt, alongside plenty of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
