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 Derbyshire Dales and Peak District.

1 History
2 Locomotives
3 Ongoing Projects
4 Issues outstanding
5 Other Info
6 External links

[edit] 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 Rowsley, with a new station constructed by the former goods yard at Rowsley South. Several other railway preservation groups are based nearby. For details see Rowsley South railway station.

[edit] Locomotives

Operational Steam Locomotives
- RSH 0-6-0ST No. WD150 "Royal Pioneer"
Steam Locomotives Undergoing Restoration
- LMS 2-8-0 Class 8F no. 48624
- Vulcan Foundry 0-4-0ST No. 828 'Vulcan'
Steam Locomotives Undergoing Overhaul
- RSH 0-6-0T No. 7597 "Zebedee"
- W.G.Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 68012 "The Duke"
Stored Steam Locomotives
- Hunslet 0-6-0ST No. 68006

Diesel Locomotives
- BR 0-4-0 Class 01 no. D2953
- BR 0-4-0 Class 02 nos. D2854 and D2866
- BR 0-6-0 Class 03 nos. D2118, D2139, D2199, 03027, 03037, 03099, and 03113
- BR 0-6-0 Class 04 nos. D2229, D2272, D2284 and D2337
- BR 0-6-0 Class 05 no. D2587
- BR 0-6-0 Class 07 no. 07013
- BR 0-6-0 Class 11 no. 12061
- BR 0-6-0 Class 14 nos. D9502 and D9525
- BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31270
- BR Co-Co Class 37 nos. 37152 and 37188
- BR 1Co-Co1 Class 44 no. D8 "Penyghent"
- BR Co-Co Class 50 no. 50029 "Renown" and 50030 "Repulse"
- BR Co-Co Class 55 no. D9016 "Gordon Highlander" (3 Year Loan)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 97/6 no. 97654

Diesel Multiple Units
- BR Class 108 units 51566+59387+53933, 51567+53627, and 51937+54484

[edit] Ongoing Projects

The Engine Shed project has been ongoing for six years. By the conclusion of 2006, the roof had been fitted, allowing work to begin on the floor and wall cladding. It is hoped that the project, which has priority, will reach completion by the end of 2007.

Negotiations for the lease of a further mile of trackbed to the North have been ongoing for three years, whilst a five year discussion about access to Matlock Station Down Platform is currently causing an unprecendented amount of speculation and concern in the local media. The Peak Rail Association have released a statement refuting allegations made against J Sainsbury regarding its support for the project, but views to the opposite effect continue to circulate, causing much uncertainty in the area.

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, as opposed to the previous limit of one. Initially this new found flexibility will allow the working of freight and passenger services with multiple passenger workings to follow in future.

[edit] Issues outstanding

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

[edit] Other Info

There is currently a version of the Peak Rail line in the final stages of production for the Microsoft Train Simulator product. It will soon be available from the society's shop at Matlock railway station, alongside the line's other shops at Rowsley South and Darley Dale. The addon will be sold to raise money for the Rowsley Shed appeal (see Rowsley South for details).