Over the last few years the Yarrows Heritage Trust (YHT) has undertaken a number of projects to improve the condition of, and access to, the built and natural heritage. YHT have been instrumental in developing heritage assets in and around Thrumster village. We have recently completed the restoration of Thrumster railway station for use as an information and exhibition centre and created an adjacent community garden and woodland.
We are a group of enthusiasts trying to bring together an archive of the history and heritage of the area and we seek assistance from people (volunteers) willing to contribute their knowledge and time in the research of the area’s history and to engage in the development of pathways, woodlands and links to the areas rich heritage.
You can contact us in person, by phone or email; see our contact us page for details.
Some facts and figures from back then
The maximum speed of the trains was 25 mph.
| Fare per mile | lb of luggage free | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st class | 3d | 120 |
| 2nd class | 2d | 90 |
| 3rd class | 1d | 60 |
And here’s a poem written in the local vernacular at the time of the closing of the line thought to have been written by Tia Grant (who became Mrs Ryrie). Possibly an entry in a vernacular poetry competition set by SWRI:
A Sad Poem on the Lybster Train
Some sing o’ ships and flying bombs
‘At hurtle through ‘e air;
Some lek til praise e’ racehorse
‘E greyhound or e’ hare
But o’ a’ ‘e things that ever sped
In air, or land or sea
There’s only wan ‘at I wid choose
‘E Lybster train for me.
Hid wisnae chust an ornar train
At rins wi a’ ‘e shither
At’ hes til wait in sidings
Til mak room for anither
Hid hed a line all til hidsel
Hid hed five stations too
An deil a thing til hould hid back
Except an anteran coo.
Hid didnae gie a scrap for win’
Or hail or time or rain
But chooged away contented lek
Til Week – an back again
Hid wandered on hid’s canny way
Though “Speed” was some fouks’ cry,
But fa wid want til tear til Week
So long as Week was dry?
E trains ‘at run doon in ‘e sooth
Are no ‘e trains I lek
For if ye want til catch them
Ye nearly brak yer neck
But wi’ ‘e Lybster trainie
Ye didna need til mind.
If Cheordie saw ye comin’
Ye werna left behind.
Hid carried kings and commoners,
Fenders and fountain pens
An’ doos an’ dougs an’ doormats
An’ coos an’ clockan hens
We took hid jest for granted
Thocht hid wid aye rin on
But fortune wis against us
An’ noo wer train is gone
They said hid didna pey hid’s wey
They said hid wisna worth
To those in high authority
Hid cumbered up the earth,
An noo, in place o’ a’ hid’s dird
An cheerful homely din,
There’s nothing bit ‘e scorrie’s cry
An’ weary whistlan win
But foremost in ma memories
O’ pleasure or o’ pain
I’ll gie a place o’ honour til
Ma poor wee Lybster Train.