The Journey So Far
Since returning to full operations, calling The Stoney Express a success would be a massive understatement.
The reception has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the joy it’s brought to Stonehaven could fill a book. Nearly six thousand passengers have climbed aboard, and the train has travelled the equivalent distance from Stoney to Athens — not bad for a wee engine with a big heart. We’ve welcomed hen parties, weddings, schools, care homes, community groups, and hundreds of tourists and visitors. The list goes on, and if anyone’s been missed, we offer a heartfelt apology — every passenger has been part of this remarkable journey.
So we felt that now was the right time to say thank you again — to everyone who made this possible. In particular, we’d like to thank our train sponsors, whose support has kept the wheels turning, and of course the people and community of Stonehaven, whose enthusiasm and kindness have powered every mile.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be running a series of articles in The Bellman to spotlight our sponsors — and this week, we’d like to give special thanks to our main sponsors: Economove, The Market Bar, and Bucket & Spade.
Economove made an especially generous gesture by covering all of the fuel costs — a hugely significant contribution that kept the train rolling. Some of the Economove team, pictured below with the wee engine in the Market Square, were typically modest about their support. All they wanted to say was that they were simply delighted to help. Our heartfelt thanks go to Willie and the whole crew — your generosity kept us rolling.
The Market Bar and Bucket & Spade also made massive contributions without which we simply wouldn’t have been able to run. Bucket & Spade went the extra mile by providing ice cream for passengers on our special runs. Sadly, Lorna and Mike weren’t available for the photo shoot, so we dragged Shane out of the bar and into the frame — thanks to him for stepping up and smiling for the camera along with Driver Garry! Nice hat Shane!
And we’re not finished yet — there’s more to come, and more sponsors to thank in the weeks ahead. One supporter stands out in particular: an anonymous donor whose generosity ensured that senior citizens and those in sheltered housing or care homes could enjoy free rides aboard The Stoney Express, supporting their wellbeing in the most thoughtful way. You truly can’t get better than that. The Stoney Crew are honoured to have played a part in delivering joy, connection, and a few unforgettable journeys — but none of it would have been possible without, guess who? You.