When the Wirksworth branch was originally built, the Midland Railway was intending to take it as far as Rowsley because of problems with its existing line from Ambergate.
It would have involved a 1503-yard tunnel and a 280-yard long viaduct down to the entrance to Matlock gorge and it would have run up the west side through Matlock.
My picture gives an idea of the height difference involved.
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