I had sight of an early draft of a rail timetable for the new services around Aberdeen. Hourly trains calling at all local stations (including Portlethen) throughout the day. A lot of debate to be had though before this becomes reality in a couple of years. The timetable was shown to members of the transport partnership Nestrans this afternoon.

We also saw the latest plans for the Kintore railway station, which should open in December 2018. It will cost some £11m of which £1m should come from Aberdeenshire Council, £2m from Nestrans, and £8m from the Scottish Government (a crucial and deciding factor). It is expected to attract between 300,000 and 400,000 passengers a year by the mid 2020s. For comparison Laurencekirk has about 100,000 passengers a year.

If it is a success I am hopeful that Newtonhill could see our station reopen too.