Ferryhill Motive Depot Offices with Water Tower, Polmuir Avenue, Aberdeen

Long rectangular 7-bay single storey brick-built range, granite (built up with concrete block to western elevation) with sandstone quoins and cornice, at northern end. Granite section reported to have formed former water tower for the motive works. Brick ranges may have housed offices/ stores. Now lies to the immediate East of the rail track leading to the A-listed turntable to the south of the site. Appears on the 1st edition OS map (1:2;500 series) published 1868.

The site was majority disused for approximately 40 years before charitable body Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust acquired the management of the complex from Network Rail and Aberdeen City Council. The Trust has repaired and returned the A-listed turntable back into use with the engine shed also repaired and now utilised as workshop space for the charity.

Ferryhill was Aberdeen's first engine shed, and an article about the opening of the Aberdeen Railway in the 'Illustrated London News' of 20 April 1850 has an engraving showing the original shed and station. Its location was significant, being within the V junction where the famous Deeside line branches off the main line south to Dundee. The depot was built for servicing a pool of locomotives owned by three early Scottish railway companies: Aberdeen Railway, the Scottish Central Railway and the Scottish Midland Junction Railway. It is thought that by the 1860s the Caledonian Railway took over the development of the site but use of the site was shared with the North British Railway. By the 1930s the site was used by the London and North Eastern Railway and latterly became a diesel engine depot for British Rail. The site closed on 26 December 1987. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

27 May 2022: Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust nominates the building for the Register as a long-term disused former office range running roughly north to south, adjacent to the B-listed Engine Shed. Aberdeen City Council confirm the building is considered to be listed by curtilage to the Engine Shed. For Investigation.

30 June 2022: External inspection accompanied by the Director of Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust.

The long rectangular run of buildings was subject to extensive damage through vandalism, including fire damage, whilst the site of the motive works was disused. The brick-built sections are roofless, the granite block has a rusting corrugated-iron covering. Brick walls are subject to widespread spalling, dampness and extensive mortar loss. Whilst walls are relatively plumb (possible bulge to eastern elevation) there are multiple areas of loose bricks evident. The granite-built section is in better condition but the sandstone elements are deteriorating. Saplings grow in close proximity to the western elevation. No rainwater goods remain. The interior to the brick range is overgrown with vegetation. One bay has been cleared and test pit dug to check drainage. One chimney stack remains extant, plumb and with can intact.

During the extended period of disuse vegetation established across the former motive works. The Trust has worked to clear much of the brambles and other vegetation but this remains an ongoing process.
Whilst the wider motive site was disused for circa 40 years, vandalism was an ongoing issue. The trust has installed fencing and other security measures around the site since acquiring the complex of buildings. Vandalism does however remain an issue. The Trust reports the drainage has been an ongoing issue across the site. Given the industrial use of the complex, ground contamination is also likely to be present.

The Trust is proposing to repair and bring the range back into use as interpretation/ educational space for visitors to the works, for which conditional consent has been approved (220334/DPP & 220335/LBC). A replica water-tank is proposed to be re-instated and the brick range will be used to display the Trust's smaller collection items, in compliment to the larger collection across the remainder of the complex. Moved to At Risk.