Peak Rail

Last updated

Peak Rail
Peakraillogo.png
Commercial operations
Original gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Operated byPeak Rail
Stations4
Length4.3 miles (6.9 km)
Preserved gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Commercial history
Opened1863
Closed1968
Preservation history
1987Acquires Darley Dale and track relay work begins
1991Light Railway Order granted
1992Re-opened
1997Extended to Rowsley South
2 July
2011
Extended to Matlock
Headquarters Rowsley South Railway Station

Peak Rail is a heritage railway in Derbyshire, England, which operates a steam and heritage diesel service for tourists and visitors to both the Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales.

Contents

The heritage railway line is over 3+12 miles (5.6 km) in length and, as of April 2016, operates train services from Matlock station (shared with Derwent Valley Line services from Derby via Ambergate) via the site of Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale to Rowsley South.

Peak Rail intends to extend its operational services northward to Bakewell when resources allow, extending to a total of 4+14 miles (6.8 km). Beyond Bakewell, the railway trackbed is used by the Monsal Trail.

History

First preservation attempts with the Buxton Steam Centre

The Buxton Steam Centre of the Peak Railway Preservation Society as it was in March 1990 before closure Peak Rail Buxton Station-01, 1990.jpg
The Buxton Steam Centre of the Peak Railway Preservation Society as it was in March 1990 before closure
Peak Rail
miles
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148.43
Monsal Trail
(proposed extension to Bakewell)
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Rowsley Yard
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148.29
Rowsley South
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147.47
Church Lane Crossing
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147.26
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147.15
Darley Dale
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Station Road Crossing
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South Yard (shunter depot)
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146.75
Bridge 40 (Warney Brook)
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Old Road
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145.39
Bridge 35 (River Derwent)
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145.32
Matlock Riverside
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Peak Rail
Network Rail
boundary
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Cawdor Way
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Network Rail run-around loop
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Matlock National Rail logo.svg
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Matlock station with a Peak Rail train hauled by Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 68013, 21st July 2012. The platform on the right is the one used by trains on the Network Rail network Matlock station with Peak Rail train hauled by Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 68013, July 2012.jpg
Matlock station with a Peak Rail train hauled by Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 68013, 21st July 2012. The platform on the right is the one used by trains on the Network Rail network

In 1975, the Peak Railway Preservation Society was established and opened a site at the now-closed Buxton Steam Centre with restoration facilities and a 300-yard (274 m) operating line. Proposals were put forward to extend the operating line onto the single track freight line towards Peak Forest, but were not met with success. However, a bridge was purchased and installed over Charles Street to reconnect to British Rail's Ashwood Dale route. The bridge was never used as the whole site was sold to Buxton Water who built a factory shortly after Peak Rail moved to Darley Dale using funds from the sale. The factory was demolished in 2011 and the site is vacant again and so available should Peak Rail ever reach Buxton.

The BBC reported in 2014 that the station site was proposed for redevelopment. [1]

The Buxton Advertiser reported in June 2019 that Peak Rail intended to reoccupy the Buxton site and start a new Buxton Branch within two months with the first priority being to clear the site. [2] The Peak Rail Association news quotes the support of the local MP [3] however the builder of a new development is causing difficulties with access. [4]

Closure of the Buxton Steam Centre and relocation to Darley Dale

In the 1980s, Peak Rail relocated its headquarters to Darley Dale and by 1991 the railway had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale.

In 1997, the line was extended within 12 mile (0.8 km) south of the Derbyshire village of Rowsley itself. A new station was constructed next to the site of the former loco shed at Rowsley South. The station was capable of holding long incoming charter trains and had a car park to accommodate a large number of cars and other vehicles. The station at Rowsley South has also been used for local charity events and cycle races, as well as steam and vintage vehicle rallies. With its location on the edge of the Peak District, the railway joins other attractions in the area, including Bakewell, Haddon Hall, Chatsworth House, the Rowsley shopping village, the village of Rowsley and the Cauldwell's Mill museum.

Extension to Matlock (Network Rail) station

After the construction of the Matlock by-pass, and the new Sainsburys supermarket in the former Cawdor Quarry, a new track alignment and track layout was installed between Matlock Riverside and Matlock (Network Rail) station to provide a new connection to the national network.

Discussions regarding access to the Matlock down platform have resulted in an agreed 50-year lease, including the re-connection of the Network Rail and Peak Rail metals. The rails were originally disconnected due to a rearrangement of Network Rail track as a part of other redevelopments in the area south of the present Matlock Riverside station. The extension to Matlock re-opened on 2 July 2011.

Future developments

In 2004, Derbyshire County Council published a study which concluded that reopening the former line for a local service was technically feasible and that the track bed should remain clear of development, but it was not an economic possibility in the near future.

Expansion towards Bakewell

Negotiations for the lease of the 1 mile (1.6 km) of trackbed to the north have resulted in the offer of a 99-year lease, from Rowsley South to Rowsley village. However, the extension is dependent on the required finance being raised or bequeathed.

Monsal Trail

Derbyshire County Council and the Peak Planning Board supported a scheme to develop the trackbed from Bakewell to Blackwell Mill as a cycle track, the Monsal Trail. With a stated aim to extend to Rowsley as part of the White Peak Loop Trail, the plans make no mention of the proposed railway extension beyond Rowsley village toward Bakewell. [6]

Signalling on the railway

Signalling diagram for the Darley Dale and Church Lane area Peak rail signal diagram.png
Signalling diagram for the Darley Dale and Church Lane area

There are four signal boxes on the route. Two boxes control the only two level crossings on the old Midland Railway main line route from Manchester to London St Pancras. The crossings are both in the Darley Dale area on the Peak Rail line. The third signal box at Rowsley is being commissioned to control the sidings and be a public viewing exhibit. This is the former Bamford signal cabin from the Hope Valley. There are plans at Rowsley South railway station for refurbishment and future operational use. The fourth cabin at Riverside came from Luffenham. It controls the Matlock connection to the national network.

Ex-Luffenham signalbox now Matlock Riverside Riverside box.jpg
Ex-Luffenham signalbox now Matlock Riverside
Darley Dale signalbox Darley signalbox.jpg
Darley Dale signalbox
In suitably snowy Derbyshire weather Church Lane signalbox controls the level crossing. Church Lane signalbox.jpg
In suitably snowy Derbyshire weather Church Lane signalbox controls the level crossing.
The unique LMS turnover style lever frame which works points and signals via a doublewire method of operation. Rowsley turnover lever frame.jpg
The unique LMS turnover style lever frame which works points and signals via a doublewire method of operation.

Two train running

In late February 2007, the railway's 'Two-Train Running' project was completed and approved by HM Railway Inspectorate. Through improvements to infrastructure and signalling, this project allows two trains in steam on the line, using a refurbished and extended passing loop at Darley Dale. Each section of the railway is worked by a train staff, each with a key to operate the ground frames and electrical signal releases at the signal boxes and the ground frames at Rowsley South, Rowsley North, Darley South Yard sidings and Matlock Riverside.

Darley Dale footbridge

In mid-2009, the original ex-Midland Railway Darley Dale footbridge was purchased from the Midland Railway - Butterley with an aim towards restoration and eventual repositioning at its original location at Darley Dale. Part of this project requires the removal of the unused signal box structure to facilitate the erection of the footbridge. Fundraising for this project began in late 2009 and In 2024 investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The footbridge at Darley Dale station will be restored & The project is being led by the Derwent and Wye Valley Railway Trust.

Operating groups at the railway

Several railway preservation groups are based at the railway, often working in support of and in co-operation with Peak Rail. These include:

For further details see Rowsley South.

Motive power

Steam locomotives

No. 68013 'Royal Pioneer' in service in 2012 PeakRail.jpg
No. 68013 'Royal Pioneer' in service in 2012

Operational

Undergoing overhaul

Stored

  • GWR 5205 Class 2-8-0 T No. 5224, built in 1924. Owned by Pete Waterman. Moved in 2015 from Crewe Heritage Centre and will be overhauled on site.
  • GWR 5600 Class 0-6-2 T No. 6634, built in 1928. Owned by Pete Waterman. Moved in 2017 from the Severn Valley Railway following its restoration from scrapyard condition never commencing, is due to be restored to working order.

Diesel locomotives

Operational

Undergoing overhaul/restoration

  • Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 DM E1 'Castlefield' no. D1199. Built in 1960.
  • BR 0-6-0 DM Class 04 no. D2205. Built in 1953.
  • BR 0-4-0 DM Class 06 no. 06003. BR Blue. Built in 1959.
  • BR 0-6-0 DH Class 14 no. D9525. BR Green. Built in 1965.
  • BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37152. BR Railfreight livery. Built in 1963.
  • BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50030 Repulse BR large logo Blue. Built in 1968.
  • Yorkshire Engine Co 0-6-0 DH no. 2940 of 1965 "Libby"

Stored

Diesel Multiple Units

Operational

  • BR Class 108 nos. 51950 and 52062. Built 1959/1960.

Undergoing overhaul/restoration

Former residents

Steam

Note that the locations given may not be current as locomotives move between railways from time to time.

Diesel

See also

References

  1. "Buxton water factory site £35m shops plan unveiled". BBC News. 30 August 2014.
  2. McVay, Ben (20 June 2019). "Peak Rail heritage train operator hopes to have Buxton branch open within the next two months". Buxton Advertiser. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019.
  3. "PRA Buxton Branch News". Peak Rail. 25 June 2019.
  4. "Plan to reopen steam rail line in Buxton blighted by builder". Buxton Advertiser. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019.
  5. "Design of (now completed) cycle path between Rowsley and Darley Dale showing route of Peak Rail phase 1 extension" (PDF). John Grimshaw Associates. August 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  6. "Extending the Monsal Trail: Bakewell to Rowsley via Haddon Hall Tunnel (Archaeological Survey)" (PDF). John Grimshaw Associates. March 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  7. "Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway". Peak Rail. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

53°09′37″N1°35′39″W / 53.1603°N 1.5941°W / 53.1603; -1.5941