Restored train to be re-installed in park next week

06 February 2017

A former working train is to be re-installed in a city park next week after having undergone a £60,000 refurbishment including a bright new look for its carriages.

Mr Therm and his carriages, which are stationary and are used as play sculpture, were dismantled last May and have been getting repairs and will be painted before being installed back into the play area at Seaton Park.

They are to be installed on the afternoon of Wednesday 15 February, weather depending, and people in the area are welcome to come along and watch the specialist team in action.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure vice convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “It’s very exciting that Mr Therm is coming back home to Seaton Park after his £60,000 refurbishment.

“He has been missed in the park as he’s such a well known attraction for many children but he looks fantastic after the work carried out - with one or two new features too.”

Mr Therm was used for transporting coal from Aberdeen harbour and with the closure of the former gas plant in the 1970’s. Mr Therm was transferred to Aberdeen Council for preservation, where the engine was placed in the play area at Seaton Park in 1974.

Aberdeen City Council worked with Friends of Seaton Park on the project.

Friends of Seaton Park Chairwoman Sheila Gordon said: “"It will be great to have Mr Therm and carriages back in the park as everyone has missed him.

“I am really looking forward to hearing the happy sounds of children playing on Mr Therm again."

Chris Bain, External Relations Director at Aberdeen Harbour Board which has contributed money to Friends of Seaton Park, said: “Aberdeen Harbour has been proud to support Friends of Seaton Park in their efforts for the Mr Therm project.

“The locomotive is a part of the harbour’s history and its preservation, not only for historical reasons, but also for all the fun it affords local children. It is exactly the kind of project that our Community Action Fund is designed to support.

“To see it return to Seaton Park, restored and ready to take its place in the play area, is testament to the Friends of Seaton Park, who have worked so hard to help to achieve this.”

David Ogilvie, Managing Director of the contractors firm David Ogilvie Engineering which carried out the work, said: “We have been delighted to be part of Mr Therm’s refurbishment.

“Originally built in Kilmarnock by Andrew Barclay & Sons, all our staff based in Kilmarnock have taken a great interest and enjoyment in taking part and watching the extensive works come together bit by bit as Mr Therm is a piece of Scottish engineering and railway history.

“We are really excited to see everyone’s reactions when he’s reinstalled proudly back in Seaton Park for all to see.”

The refurbishment is part of Aberdeen City Council’s £130,000 spend on Seaton Park.