Peak Rails Link to Network Rail at Matlock

[John H-T]

If we really went for joined up thinking we could have three Railways in a day:

The Matlock Branch; Peak Rail and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. The EVR already has through ticketing from EMT Stations to why not a joint tyicket for all three!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[steam for ever]

If Peak rail do manage to get to buxton (which I hope they do), then the nearest station to Chatswoth will be Great Langstone station (I think), which is completely in tact.
That should remove all need for any buses. The old line passes right by Haddon hall too. What a wonderful thought that is.

I think the reason that Stagecoach want to publicise their bus from Chesterfield is that they are a bus company, and will always take the side of road over rail. Its the same with many operators. Most of them operate buses.

Come on, bring back BR!!!!! (but allow open access operators to remain).

[Madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

I think the reason that Stagecoach want to publicise their bus from Chesterfield is that they are a bus company, and will always take the side of road over rail. Its the same with many operators. Most of them operate buses.

Come on, bring back BR!!!!! (but allow open access operators to remain).

EH!!! Remember East Midland Trains IS RUN by Stagecoach and they have a hub in Chesterfield so services run to and from there

[Silver Fox Phil]

I see Locos Lord Phil and 68013 are operational during the grand opening event, that is good but can anyone tell me what other locos may be on site if any, and will the sheds be open to visiting? Cant seem to find that info on the website!

[ianrail]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

If Peak rail do manage to get to buxton (which I hope they do), then the nearest station to Chatswoth will be Great Langstone station (I think), which is completely in tact.
That should remove all need for any buses. The old line passes right by Haddon hall too. What a wonderful thought that is.

I think the reason that Stagecoach want to publicise their bus from Chesterfield is that they are a bus company, and will always take the side of road over rail. Its the same with many operators. Most of them operate buses.

Come on, bring back BR!!!!! (but allow open access operators to remain).

I've always hoped Peak Rail would get through to Buxton and will say no more than that I feel there were missed opportunities in the 1990s. However, we are where we are now and it's going to be one massive and expensive struggle to do it now. Rowsley station (completely demolished now) was pretty close to Chatsworth and there are some formidable obtacles to extending the line north from there: a bridge over the A6, whose level has been raised, then trying to get past Haddon Hall. They bought the land back off BR and fiercely resist all attempts to reinstate the line or even to engage in any dialogue.

[steam for ever]

Who is it that owns Haddon hall?

I can't understand why they should have a problem, as the line passes through a tunnel, and cannot be seen. The reinstatement would only work in their favour. Why wouldn't you like the idea of an extra 100,00 visitors each year with no extra pressure on local roads?
Considering the enourmous benefit to Derbyshire, and the other heritage railways in the area.

I have taken note that without the line from Buxton to Matlock, it is very difficult to travel to derbyshires many heritage railways by rail from Liverpool and Manchester areas without taking time consuming detours.
I think that maybe a federation of derbyshire heritage railways would be very beneficial, including:
Peak Rail,
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway,
The Midland railway,
The Steeple Grange light railway,
Crich Tramway village, and
The derbyshire dales light railway.

This alliance could be open also to local hotels and B&Bs, along with other local attractions and TOCs. Just a thought. Together you could be quite a voice.

[wyvern]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

Who is it that owns Haddon hall?

The Duke of Rutland.

Originally Posted by steam for ever

I can't understand why they should have a problem, as the line passes through a tunnel, and cannot be seen. The reinstatement would only work in their favour. Why wouldn't you like the idea of an extra 100,00 visitors each year with no extra pressure on local roads?
Considering the enourmous benefit to Derbyshire, and the other heritage railways in the area.

The family has the reputation of being pretty reactionary, I understand. It was the Duke who insisted on the railway passing through a tunnel, which killed three workers in building it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddon_Tunnel

Originally Posted by steam for ever

I have taken note that without the line from Buxton to Matlock, it is very difficult to travel to derbyshires many heritage railways by rail from Liverpool and Manchester areas without taking time consuming detours.

It is very difficult to travel from Manchester to anywhere in the East Midlands.

[steam for ever]

Peers have always been troublesome when it comes to railways.
One sound way of doing it would be an act of parliament, but these are expensive. That I think would be a good reason for the federation, who can spread out the cost.
I do realise that peers can get in the way, but heritage railways have won many allies, including royals; the Duke of Gloucester, and the Prince of Wales and the Queen.
Royal assent for such a bill would be very likely therefore.
What do local MPs say sbout it?

[62440]

The Duke of Rutland can be a right old pain in the proverbial. He owns Belvior castle which is a few miles west of Grantham and situated (As you might expect) in the "Vale of Belvior". When it was discovered that there were vast Coal reserves under the vale , he pretty much led the opposition to mining IN the vale which led to the situation whereby a coal mine was established at Asfordby (Near Melton Mowbray) with the idea of bringing coal out from a distance. This operated quite successfully for a couple of years as the coal seam extended that far, then mining ceased due to a "Geological Fault". The pit was closed, many million pounds worth of investment went down the drain, a lot of jobs were lost and Britain now imports coal from all over. Due in the main to a titled NIMBY. The coal reserves are still there.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Anger+...wn.-a061068589

Regards, 62440.

[steam for ever]

Most of the aristocracy have been modernising during the few decades, which I think is great (like Prince William shaking the public's hands before his wedding), and many now realise that they have a responsibility that comes with their birth right. Its just a shame that a few still hang onto old ways of tyranny.

Also, it has been realised that the line would be a valuble freight corridor, so perhaps a similar situation to the Loughborough gap will arise where freight/quarry companies pay for part of the rebuilding.