‘One Last Push’: The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway REALLY Needs Your Support

Hello,
Although my friend Leigh Gration mentioned our campaign a couple weeks ago, I wanted to announce our campaign www.One-Last-Push.org formally.

First of all, a little bit about the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway running from Duffield to Wirksworth in Derbyshire. At present, we’re about four miles long and have two operational lines; the main 3 ½ mile route to Idridgehay (not too far from Belper) and a ½ mile branch up a 1 in 27 incline to Ravenstor, which is a purpose-built halt on the former quarry network to the north of Wirksworth.

We first opened in 2004 and although we mostly operate DMUs, we have recently brought one steam engine into operation with another in the works, while the LMS Carriage Association are actively restoring two Stanier coaches.

We have just announced One-Last-Push.org because as part of all this ROTS/ROGS change, we too have until September to finish-off our ‘Dash to Duffield’ campaign which we started after the opening to Idridgehay in 2008. Rather than go on about what we have to do, our website describes the tough but achievable task that we face and I would really recommend you might find the PDF brochure on the site worth a look.

The big motivator for all of us is what we get when we pull this off: a nine-mile railway with an interchange with East Midlands Trains at Duffield. The line goes through beautiful countryside with excellent views and photographic opportunities. Even with our modest fleet i(including D8001 and 31414), we will be able to offer some interesting haulage opportunities (we’re looking to get more steam too) and Wirksworth is an excellent destination, whether it’s to look around the station or to visit the attractive town centre with half a dozen pubs, all of which sell real ale!

Do take a look at our site and if you think we’re worthy of your support, please pass the word on.

Thank you.

Neil Ferguson-Lee
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
www.e-v-r.com

 

I like the sound of half a dozen real ale pubs in Wirksworth. Haven't been there for a long, long while. Trip was a special from Derby on a prototype 150 or similar in conjunction with the Wirksworth Well event. To do the bit from Duffield with steam will be excellent so good luck with your appeal.

 

Those would be the Wirksworth Phoenix specials in the 1980s. I shall get some images of those up onto our Fotopic site and let the group know. Meanwhile, I have to confess that once we have opened to Duffield, reopening the intermediate stations of Hazelwood and Shottle will allow one to call at a decent pub within five minutes of every station along the line. When I finally achieve that one, I know my job is done!

 

Just throught that you might be interested in reading today's blog. We have been doing this since 2000 and have over 8,000 postings in our Yahoo! Group. Since 2007, we have also copied this to a blog that can be subscribed-to through our website (www.e-v-r.com) and, of course, through Twitter!

Evenin' all,

A glorious day, with a rail temperature of 35 deg.

The Per way team raced to Duffield and collected any sleepers lying
around, in odd wagons or in the long grass, they laid a total of 9
today (yesterdays total actually reads 15 changed - I just put 10 down
to see if anyone reads this blurb!). A particular problem at Hazlewood
was addressed, many years ago BR staff 'stitched' a shallow culvert by
putting rails outside the running rails and bolting them around the
sleepers leaving long ends of bolts exposed. These wer highlighted
last week with a low ride vehicle for test. These bolts have now been
reduced in size, and their ends removed. This meant a great deal of
cutting.

The yards at Shottle and at Hazlewood were weed treated, as well as
Shottle platform.

The roof of the Inspection Saloon had a coat of primer.

At Duffield, the Civils team unloaded more blocks, sand etc on the
platform and continued to remove the facing wall at the south end, as
suspected there were no footings, shuttering was built up reafdy for
the first 45' to have a load of concrete dropped tomorrow.The Komatsu
was again in use unloading the train.The machine has been finished with
for a few weeks and will go back to mowing duties next week.

All of the site fire extinguishers have been checked and updated.

Tommorrow is a little hectic, with one vehicle carrying out a whole
line test, another client working on the length of CWR on the Hannages,
the start of dismantling the TBTC system on the Hannages, and next
weeks client bringing bits in.

Phil

 

Those were the ones, thanks. Having a rail/ale trail along the line is a very noble aim.

 

Duly updated:

 

A'before and after' pair of images taken at Duffield on 1st Jan 2002 and this month. Spot the difference!

(See next Thread)

 

Another attempt at the before and after shots!

 

OK, third time lucky!

 

This seems a really good forum to get extra info. many thanks. All the for one last push.

 

What a splendid idea for a splendid railway. My donation is now in the system.

 

Thank you! All donations gratefully received...

 

I'm quite amazing that my test track is getting world interest, people from Turkey and Korea, amazing.

 

Yes indeed. It's been operational since 1983 and has provided the bulk of the revenue for our restoration project. The website is www.MyTestTrack.com

Neil

 

Below is a great photo taken today, showing D8001 both providing driver experience training and delivering sleepers for One Last Push.

 

Added the correct url for you.

Cheers

 

One more time

 

Much appreciated! Will do my homework....

 

At the risk of mixing two threads your railway looks rather impressive ..... and might make a good home for 48624 perhaps?!?

 

Oooh there's a good question... It's a lovely thought and we'd certainly make good use of her (imagine that engine parked just next to the Midland Main Line at Duffield) but I think at the moment she will be moving between other railways. One can but hope though...