Peak Rail

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Peak Rail emblem

Peak Rail is a preserved railway operating timetabled steam services for tourists and visitors to the Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales.

History

In 1968 the former Midland Railway main line from London to Manchester (originally built as the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway), was closed between Matlock and Buxton in Derbyshire. In 1975 the Peak Railway Preservation Society took matters in hand, and after opening a Steam Centre at Buxton, by 1991 had reopened the section of line between Matlock and Darley Dale. In 1997, this was extended to half a mile short of Rowsley village, with a new station constructed next to the site of the former goods yard at Rowsley South. Several railway preservation groups are based at the latter, often working in support of and cooperation with Peak Rail. For further details see Rowsley South railway station.

Motive Power

Operational Steam Locomotives

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

Steam Locomotives Undergoing Restoration

• LMS 2-8-0 Class 8F no. 48624 - Nearing end of restoration, boiler removed for tubing and steam testing before reassembly, painting and running. Not expected to steam until autumn 2008.
• Vulcan Foundry 0-4-0ST No. 828 "Vulcan" (works number 3272)- Restoration currently paused.

Steam Locomotives Undergoing Overhaul

• RSH 0-6-0T No. 7597 "Zebedee" - Work ongoing, frames being repaired and wheels away for re-tyring, boiler in very good condition.

Stored Steam Locomotives

• W.G.Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 2746 (Carries bogus BR No. 68012 "The Duke")
• Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.3888 rebuilt from 3163 (Carries bogus BR No. 68006)

Operational Diesel Locomotives

• BR 0-4-0 Class 01 no. D2953 [1]
• BR 0-4-0 Class 02 no. D2854
• BR 0-6-0 Class 03 nos. 03099 and D2199
• BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2284
• BR 0-6-0 Class 05 no. D2587
• BR 0-6-0 Class 14 no. D9525
• BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31270 (carries 31421 number and Wigan Pier nameplates on one side)
• BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37152
• BR 1Co-Co1 Class 44 no. D8 "Penyghent" [2]
• BR Co-Co Class 55 no. D9016 "Gordon Highlander"
• BR 0-6-0 Class 97/6 no. 97654

Diesel Locomotives Undergoing Overhaul/Restoration

• BR 0-6-0 Class 03 nos. D2118, 03113 and D2139
• BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2229 and D2237
• BR 0-6-0 Class 11 no. 12061
• BR Co-Co Class 37 no. 37188
• BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50030 "Repulse"

Stored Diesel Locomotives

• BR 0-6-0 Class 03 nos. 03027 and 03037
• BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2272
• BR 0-6-0 Class 07 no. 07013
• BR 0-6-0 Class 14 no. D9502
• BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50029 "Renown" (Cosmetically restored)

Diesel Multiple Units

• BR Class 108 units 51566+59387+53933, 51567+53627, and 51937+54484

Ongoing Projects

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Darley Dale in June 2007, looking north

The Engine Shed project has been ongoing for six years. Of October 2007, the roof and wall cladding is in place, with work on the flooring and internal elements of the shed continuing. A revised completion date for the Engine shed is now Easter 2008.

Negotiations for the lease of a further mile of trackbed to the North have been ongoing for three years, whilst discussions regarding access to Matlock station Down Platform continue. Developments with the latter caused an unprecedented amount of speculation and concern in the local media in the first quarter of 2007, but since that time attention has focused on the extensive redevelopment of nearby Cawdor Quarry and the construction of the A6 relief road just north of Matlock. The latter has now been completed, and work on reconnecting Peak Rail to Network Rail metals continues.

In late February 2007, the railway's 'Two-Train Running' project reached fruition and was approved by 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. The advantages of this enhancements has allowed the working of freight and passenger services on Special Event Days, with multiple passenger workings to follow in future operating seasons.

Issues outstanding

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

Essentially the former Manchester main line as it is 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 onwards through Bakewell to Buxton station. From there, the line could follow the former 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 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 not an economic possibility in the near future.

Meanwhile the Derwent Valley Line, it is said, has been allowed to deteriorate both in infrastructure and quality of service and in 2005 a document was published by the Friends of the Derwent Valley Line, assisted by the County Council, arguing for improvements to the current service. Network Rail has stated its intention to carry out necessary repairs in 2008, which includes the strengthening or rebuilding of three bridges on the branch.

See also

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

External links

• The Peak Rail website
• Today's Railways Feb 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.