In The Press - LocalMotion

The Dundee Courier - 14th May 2014. 

Broughty Ferry land train on track for May launch

Plans to use a land train to connect the pier at Broughty Ferry to Barnhill Rock Garden have been given the go-ahead and the service will be launched on Saturday May 24.

The 60-seat, open-air vehicle has three carriages, disabled access, and travels at 10mph.

Starting at the pier, the 30-minute circular train journey makes its first stop in Windmill Garden, continues along the Esplanade to the Glass Pavilion before arriving at the rock garden and returning to the pier.

The private venture is the idea of mother of two Elaine Stewart, who was inspired to bring a taste of her holidays home to the Ferry.

She said: “I have been on them abroad and I just thought it is something that is missing in Broughty Ferry.”

Now the director of LocalMotion Land Trains Ltd, Scotland’s only privately run land train company, Elaine fits the project around her family life and part-time job.

After researching the idea for several months, when the opportunity to buy a land train came up at the beginning of the year Elaine grabbed it.

She said: “It is a nice relaxing way to get about for tourists and locals and it is very much an attraction that will appeal to kids. It goes at a lovely sedate pace so people can take in the view.

“I have spoken to care homes in the area, who have expressed an interest to get their residents out and about in the fresh air.”

The train had its first outing at the weekend, ferrying friends and family for a test run. Elaine said she is excited to be ready to leave the platform after obtaining relevant licences and health and safety approval for the scheme.

She said: “When we were out on Sunday everyone was waving and smiling and all the children were desperate to get on.

“It has been a journey to get here but it has been a lot of fun. Now I just can’t wait to get it up and running for the public.”

The land train will run at weekends and during the school holidays every 45 minutes from 10am to 5pm and tickets are £3 for adults and £2 for children.

To find out more, visit the LocalMotion Land Trains Ltd Facebook page.