In 1902 the Great North of Scotland Railway Company relocated their locomotive construction and repairs works from Aberdeen to a 15-acre greenfield site at Inverurie. A bridge plate on the footbridge at Inverurie Station suggests that it may have been one of the first tasks
Only ten locomotives were ever built at the Works. These locomotives which were 4-4-0 tender engines of GNSR classes V and F were manufactured between 1906 and 1921. Last surviving GNSR loco Gordon Highlander is currently with SRPS at Bo’ness.
The works remained open for locomotive repair throughout London and North Eastern Railway and into British Railways ownership, finally closing in 1969.

Today the works are remembered in the name of the local football team – see https://inverurielocos.com/ - and of the café called The Coco Works on Inverurie Station. Leased to the oil industry and to a paper man-ufacturer, the works buildings were used for storage until being acquired in this century by a developer for refurbishment as housing.
The Garioch Heritage Centre keeps the memory of the Loco Works alive, all under the watchful eye of the original 20-ton crane. It can be found behind the Aldi store, in a building with a distinctive ‘sawtooth’ roof which was once the Carriage and Waggonworks building.
Entry is free. The Centre is a treasure trove of artefacts, photographs and information relating to the Gari-och – the heart of Aberdeenshire – many displayed in a series of exhibits in the light and spacious upstairs gallery (accessible by lift).
The Centre is staffed by volunteers happy to share their local knowledge. Visitors can also seek refresh-ment in Cafe Loco at the Garioch Heritage Centre where tea, coffee, scones and light lunches are served (last orders 3.30pm).
The Downstairs Gallery regularly hosts special exhibitions for which there may be a small entry charge.

Photo © Bill Harrison (cc-by-sa/2.0)