Peak Rail

Peak Rail
Commercial operations
Original gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Preserved operations
Stations	4
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Commercial history
Opened	1863
Closed	1968
Preservation history

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

The railway is currently 5 miles in length and, as of November 2011, operates trains between Matlock station (shared with Derwent Valley Line services from Derby via Ambergate) and Rowsley South.

However Peak Rail intends to extend its operations northward to Bakewell as time and resources allow. The first stage of this extension may be a short length of line to a proposed new station at Rowsley North.

The Bakewell extension project would include full restoration of both the old Haddon tunnel and Coombs Road viaduct as well as the reinstatement of numerous bridges along the way. Bakewell station remains largely intact.

Although the railway could operate (single track) alongside a part of the Monsal Trail (just like the Avon Valley Railway in Gloucestershire), once safety checks for that could be resolved.

History

Peak Rail

Legend Miles 148.43 Monsal Trail Rowsley Yard - Rowsley South 148.29 Rowsley South 147.47 Church Lane Crossing - Darley Dale 147.26 North Yard - Darley Dale 147.15 Darley Dale Station Road Crossing - Darley Dale South Yard - Darley Dale 146.75 Bridge 40 over Warney Brook Old Road - Darley Dale 145.39 Bridge 35 over River Derwent 145.32 Matlock Riverside (closed for regular operations) Cawdor Way - Matlock Network rail run-around loop Matlock Derwent Valley Line

First preservation attempts with the Buxton Steam Centre

In 1975, the Peak Railway Preservation Society opened the Buxton Steam Centre with restoration facilities and a 300 yard operating line. They also operated a successful restaurant ("The Palatine") in two railway carriages on site. Proposals were put forward to extend the operating line onto the single track freight line towards Peak Forest, but were not met with success.

Closure of the Buxton Steam Centre and relocation to Darley Dale

By 1991, the railway had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale. In 1997, the line was extended within a half-mile 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, with a car park large enough to accommodate a large number of cars and other vehicles. The station at Rowsley South has also been utilised for local charity events and cycle races, as well as steam and vintage vehicle rallies.

Due to 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

With the construction of 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. At Matlock Riverside a newly refurbished signal box is also being erected to facilitate movement between Peak Rail and the restored former down platform at Matlock (Network Rail) station. The extension to Matlock (NR) was opened on 2 July 2011.

Future expansion towards Bakewell

Peak Rail are currently intending work on extending the railway towards Bakewell; "this would include a new Rowsley North (a proposed north equivalent of Rowsley South) and Haddon halt (located between the proposed Rowsley North and old Haddon tunnel) serving the nearby Haddon estate" along the way. (Plus disinfilling the trackbed whole of the platforms to allow trains to pull into the site properly once the line reaches the site, and requiring a few bridge "replacements/re-instatements" along the way.)

This is likely to happen after either 2013/14, once finances could possibly allow; within the future Peak Rail could allow its heritage railway services go directly for "The Bakewell Show", an event which has taken place each and every year in August since 1819.

Special events

The railway operates special events as well as the normal timetabled services. These special events include themed "Halloween" and "Santa Specials" for children and families; the "Warring Forties" event, with battle re-enactments of World War Two skirmishes involving military vehicles and re-enactors on the site; Diesel Galas; and local music festivals.

A restaurant service, appropriately called "The Palatine" operates on given days throughout the season, whilst at Darley Dale there is a museum of the line's local history.

With the Bakewell extension project (currently being intended) the railway could also go directly for The Bakewell Show by providing a vintage bus service from the bakewell station site to the show itself in the future.

Proposed (future) stations

There has been a proposal for Peak Rail to extend the line north to the Rowsley village proper "to a proposed Rowsley North", and then to Bakewell railway station via a possibly proposed Haddon Halt.

Now that the Peak Rail/Network Rail reconnection project is complete, work on extending via Rowsley North and Haddon Halt towards Bakewell is likely to begin once finances allow. This would include restoring the old Haddon tunnel and Coombs Road viaduct to their former use (Plus, disinfilling the platform whole in which to reallow trains to enter the site when the railway reaches the site) once planning permission is soon granted.

Bakewell Extension Phases

• Phase 1 (of the Bakewell Extension project) is restoring the section of track (Rowsleys South & North) and extending to Rowsley North.

• Phase 2 would be reinstating old bridge above a road, restoration of track to as far as (a proposed Haddon Halt) and then extending to Haddon Halt.

• Phase 3 would then be on restoring both the old Haddon Tunnel and Coombes road viaduct before relaying track to as far as a few metres close to the edge of the Bakewell station site.

• Phase 4 might then see removal of infill between the platforms and then relay into the old station site and then restoring the site to its former use and glory.

However Peak Cycle Links wish to open this section and have designed their own bridges over the A6 and Church Lane at Rowsley that give little reference or possibility of reopening the line to Bakewell.

Operating groups at the present railway

Several railway preservation groups are based at the railway, often working in support of and cooperation with Peak Rail, such as:

• The Heritage Shunters Trust, which has a large collection of former British Railways and private company shunters
• The Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway, which operates narrow gauge trains over a short running line by the picnic ground at Rowsley
• The London Midland and Scottish Carriage Association, which restore examples of L.M.S and other coaching stock
• The Renown Repulse Locomotive Group, responsible for the restoration of two former British Rail Class 50 locomotives
• Andrew Briddon, who has several of his locomotives based upon the railway
• Other locomotive and stock owners who are restoring wagons and stock upon the line

For further details see Rowsley South.

Motive power

Steam locomotives

Operational

• RSH 0-6-0ST No. 7136 (Carries No. 68013 "Royal Pioneer". Previously No.WD150)

Undergoing overhaul

• RSH 0-6-0T No. 7597 "Zebedee" - Work ongoing at Rowsley South Yard, boiler in very good condition.

Diesel locomotives

Operational

• BR 0-4-0 Class 01 no. D2953 [1]
• BR 0-6-0DM Class 03 nos. 03099 and D2199
• BR 0-6-0DM Class 04 no. D2284
• BR 0-6-0DM Class 05 no. D2587
• BR 0-6-0DH Class 14 no 14 901 (D9524) (until late 2010)
• BR 0-6-0DH Class 14 no. D9525
• BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31270
• BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37152
• BR 1Co-Co1 Class 44 no. D8 "Penyghent" [2]
• BR Co-Co Class 47 no. 47635
• BR 0-6-0DE Class 97/6 no. 97654
• Thomas Hill Vanguard 4wDH "Charlie" (No. 265V of 1976) regular works train loco.

Undergoing overhaul/restoration

• BR 0-6-0DM Class 03 nos. D2118, 03113 and D2139
• BR 0-6-0DM Class 04 no. D2229 and D2237
• BR 0-6-0DE Class 11 no. 12061
• BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37188
• BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50030 "Repulse"
• Yorkshire Engine Co 0-6-0DH no. 2940 of 1965 "Libby"

Stored

• BR 0-6-0DM Class 03 nos. 03027 and 03037
• BR 0-6-0DM Class 04 nos. D2272 and D2324
• BR 0-6-0DE Class 07 no. 07013
• BR 0-6-0DH Class 14 nos. D9500 and D9502
• BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50029 "Renown" (Cosmetically restored)
• North British 0-6-0DH 27932 of 1962
• Brush Traction 0-6-0DE BT803 of 1979 (formerly with Tyne & Wear Metro and Channel Tunnel construction)

Signalling on the railway

Signalling diagram for the Darley Dale and Church Lane area

Ex-Luffenham signalbox at Matlock Riverside

There are currently 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 is currently out of use, and came from Bamford in the Hope Valley. There are plans to move this structure to Rowsley South railway station for refurbishment and future operational use. The fourth is also currently out of use and came from Luffenham. It will control the Matlock areas.

Church Lane Crossing

The Church Lane Crossing Box controls the section from Darley Dale to Rowsley South under the one train staff key method, as well as the level crossing at Churchtown. Originally, this signal box came from Gorsey Bank level crossing on the nearby Wirksworth branch.

Church Lane operates the only current example of preserved "Josslock" motor points. This is an electro-hydraulically worked electro-pneumatic point machine, whereby a standard electro-pneumatic point is driven by a hydraulic power pack.

Darley Dale Crossing

The Darley Dale signal box controls the section from Darley Dale to Matlock Riverside under the one train staff key, as well as the other level crossing at Station Road. This signal box is based on an L.M.S. ground level design, and was erected in 2007 to replace the older Midland style cabin which had become life-expired.

Darley Dale station and passing loop

The passing loop at Darley Dale is crossed using the Absolute Block method, with the signal box at the other end releasing the signal of the opposite signal box to allow trains to enter the applicable up or down loop line.

It is possible to run two trains at a time on the railway, passing in the loop at Darley Dale station. 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.

Other signal boxes and ground frames

Another unused signal box at Darley Dale is located on the up platform (originally located at Bamford). It was originally located there when the railway first reopened to work the level crossing at Station Road, but for several reasons it was not brought into use (limited box to public highway visibility being amongst them). There are ongoing plans to remove this signalbox to Rowsley South, where the twenty nine lever frame will be reconditioned to initially control the loco shed sidings and yard as a shunt frame, before going on to encompass the station area and any alterations to the track layout to the station's northern end when the line extends towards Rowsley village.

Recoveries

Redundant signal box being recovered from the old Buxton Steam Centre

Over the years, many signal boxes have either been recovered, donated or sourced for the railway from such locations as Gorsey Bank, Lymm Station, Lymm Lane crossing and Hindlow. Lever and ground frames were sourced locally from the Midlands and North Western regions from places such as Whaley Bridge and Dunford Bridge. Not all structures were obtained complete; some were acquired with the cooperation of other heritage railways along joint recoveries.

Ongoing projects

As of December 2011, the structure for the engine shed project was finished externally, with only small internal additions required to some areas, including the workshop. On 1 May, the former Mold Junction turntable was brought back into use at Rowsley South, and was officially opened by Pete Waterman.

Negotiations for the lease of a further mile of trackbed to the North have resulted in the offer of a 99-year lease on the trackbed from Rowsley South to (a proposed Rowsley North) at Rowsley village, and the site of the former station. 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 Peak Rail/Network Rail track reconnections project is now complete.

In late February 2007, the railway's 'Two-Train Running' project was completed and approved by the HM Railway Inspectorate. Through improvements to infrastructure and signalling, this project allows two trains in steam on the line, utilising a refurbished and extended passing loop at Darley Dale. This enhancement has allowed the working of freight and passenger services on special event days, with multiple passenger services to follow in future operating seasons.

The signalling engineers are currently working on several projects:

1. Token machines between Rowsley south and Church Lane signal box, to allow the locomotive shed at Rowsley to be used to full potential. Only a ground frame remains to be connected to a trap point on these works.
2. Moving the redundant ex Bamford signal box to Rowsley South, to be used initially to control the exits from the sidings and locomotive shed. Then, when the line extends northwards, the track alterations to the north of the site can be incorporated within the signalling needed here. This will replace three ground frames which would need to be altered for the extension works. In the future, the shunt frame could be signalled if required to act as another passing loop signal box to add capacity.
3. Plans for working into Matlock National Rail station are nearly complete. A method of signalling these operations is progressing to its conclusion and will be in place soon. The ex Midland "Luffenham Junction" signal box is being restored for use at Riverside as a shunting frame to control the loop. Structural timberwork is currently being replaced and restored so that it can go into place as a completed unit when needed.

Darley Dale footbridge

In mid 2009, the original ex-Midland Railway Darley Dale footbridge was purchased from the Midland Heritage Railway at Butterley with an aim towards restoration and eventual repositioning at its original location at Darley Dale. Part of this project will require the removal of the currently unused signal box structure to facilitate the erection of the footbridge. Fundraising for this ambitious project began in late 2009 and continues onward till further notice.

Future developments

No.WD 150 'Royal Pioneer' at Matlock Riverside in June 2007

The former Manchester main line can be considered in four sections:

From London via Derby to Ambergate Junction as the Midland Main Line

Overlapping this from Derby to Ambergate and on to Matlock as the Derwent Valley Line.

Peak Rail operates a section from Matlock to Rowsley and has an interest in the line through Bakewell to Buxton station. From there, the line could follow the former London and North Western Railway (LNWR) line to Manchester (although through trains would have to reverse), or extend from Millers Dale on its original route to join the still-existing line to Chinley on the Hope Valley Line.

In 2004, the Derbyshire County Council published a study which concluded that reopening the 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.

The Derwent Valley Line, which connects with the railway at Matlock, has reportedly been allowed to deteriorate both in infrastructure and quality of service. In 2005, a document was published by the Friends of the Derwent Valley Line with the assistance of the County Council. The document argued for improvements to the current service. Network Rail carried out the necessary strengthening of three bridges on the branch, resulting in an improvement of route availability. This potentially allows the line to be traversed by locomotives hauling charter trains on Sundays when there are available paths.

A more recent development with significant implications for Peak Rail's future was the decision by the Derbyshire County Council and the Peak Planning Board to support a scheme to develop the trackbed from Bakewell to Blackwell Mill as a cycle track. This development would be similar to the Tissington Trail and the High Peak Trail, with the presently closed tunnels on route being opened to the public as rights of way. The plan would advance with significant government funding, along with a stated aim to extend to Matlock in the long term (although developments regarding this latter section have yet to emerge). Negotiations were underway between all parties to ensure a solution that benefits the aims of all concerned as of 2011.

With the extension into Matlock's mainline station (interchanging with Derwent Valley rail services) now complete, work on extendind towards Bakewell via both proposed Rowsley North and Haddon Halt is likely to begin once possible funding could be made over about a period of the next couple of years.

See also

• Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway
• Monsal Trail

External links

• The Peak Rail website
• Today's Railways February 2007 article on Peak Rail, by kind permission of Platform 5 Publishing
• The Peak Rail Volunteering website
• Peak Rail's Signalling Department website
• Friends of the Derwent Valley Line
• County Council Feasibility Study Derbyshire County Council (2004) Derby to Manchester Railway Matlock to Buxton / Chinley Link Study. Main Report, Volume 1A: Version: Final. This report also has detailed plans of the line.
• The Andrew Briddon loco collection

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  Waiting at the Darley Dale Up Starting signal;

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  Darley Dale Crossing signal box as seen from the South Yard

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  Peak Rail in relation to other lines

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  Austerity, as WD 150

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  Line up of locomotives at the old Peak Rail Buxton steam centre

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  The view of the platform and loco shed

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  Church Lane Crossing]

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  Locomotive line up on the Derbyshire Dales Narrow gauge railway at Rowsley South

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  Darley Dale in June 2007, looking north