Peak Rail General Discussion

Could reclaim some abutment parts from another bridge, although to do that you have to find the right size/shape/weight stones, or be able to modify them, get enough to do the job and allow for damage etc, then get permission to remove them, as long as that's free, hope that you're not screwing over another group (remember Darley Dale footbridge was on a disused railway in the 1970s so it was taken away for use elsewhere, and then look what happened...), remove them, trim back the embankment to prevent land slipping, transport the stone, dress it and then store it for re use and hope nobody steals it (it DOES happen). It is easy to acquire, not so easy to put to use.

Or, come up with a spec and buy it new, have it delivered to site when you need it. One is cheaper and faster, the other is riddled with potential problems, and rarely works out cheaper, in my experience at least.

Matlock signs- indeed that in the museum is an original, and I have asked if it might be used (I have thought about this!) but it has been decided not to use it on the station. It's not ours and we have agreed to keep it inside, so for now we'll stick to that. We'll have a new pair of full size running in boards next year hopefully.

And on that note, we have four sponsors for totems, which we will be placing an order for shortly. Glad I asked, frankly!

 

yeah good point

great news about the totems!

 

the following should take you to a link on Rail Engineer magazine about the Monsal Trail, page 42 it should be!


http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1r.../item/details/311228/Rail-Engineer-April-2011

 

would you say that was good or bad news?

 

Well I'll be getting my bike out for sure, not been through the tunnels since the early 70's. Physically it doesn't stop the railway going back in and any maintenance to the tunnels has to be good. I have no idea about the legal aspects though.

 

id saygood,any maintenance of the structures keeps them in shape for the future,whatever that is,what you dont want is tunnels built into hilssides on a gorge falling down!, plus ive been waiting to cycle them for years!!

 

Yeh, good.

They provide the cyclists, and the walkers, and eventually we'll provide the transport in, the circulars, the ride one way for those who want one, the catering, the 'race the train' days, the bicycle vans, and make the area more accessible at night or winter when it's less appealing as a cycle way.

 

Yes, an interesting article that demonstrates the hoops you have to go through these days. However, the Peak Park promoted the scheme on the basis that many cyclists would arrive by rail at Buxton or Matlock, who were they kidding - have they seen how few bikes you can get on modern trains? Furthermore the articles says two cycle hire centres will open on the trail, so there will be more and more cars coming into the National Park which goes against their own policies - are the Peak Park going to provide a lot more parking? I put this to them some time ago but got no answer.

I also think a big influx of bikes will spoil it for the walkers, time will tell, but it can be less than relaxing keeping out of the way of cyclists on the Tissington Trail, and this will be a lot busier.

One thing mentioned in the article is indisputable - it was a remarkable line, which is why so many people are still interested in it.

Dave

 

Me too, maybe we should arrange a date and all do it together
Be nice to have some railway related chat along the way

Pete

 

These days Pete, I'm happy if I get to talk/think about anything other than railways...

: )

 

So I take it you will not be joining us unless we make it into a sponsored ride to raise money for some project like maybe a footbridge

Pete

 

As long as we don't have to talk about trains!

 

is there cycle hires for the line at the moment? will google but just wondering if there is has anyone used them?

wouldnt mind doing it but havent had a bike for years.

from the Buxton end as its downhill

 

oooh we have to converse about the finer points of walschaerts along the way!!

I dont think at present there is a cycle hire!, could be wrong though,I note in the mag it does mention that theyl be looking into it, makes sense as the one over at Parsley Hay on the Ashbourne line(sorry cant call them trails--theyre railways!) is very busy indeed.

That said Pete will blast past me on a bike anyway,wait till next week when I start me night turns again and get me bike back out,il be back in shape again then!!!!

 

there is engineering work on the Matlock branch over the Easter bank holiday, could this be when the track in Matlock is being laid?

 

I think that you can hire bikes at Bakewell, you can follow some of the route on the Monsal Trail south from Bakewell to near the northern entrance of the Haddon Tunnel you will have to follow either the A6 to Rowsley or follow green lanes / bridleways at the back of Haddon Hall to Rowsley (probably a safer although more strenuous route)

 

Small update via Pete this week as i was away on a technical visit to the NNR to see how they built Holt signalbox as well as the signalling,as the cabin at Matlock will copy the Holt one in construction.

Pete and David built up some more pulley benches with wheels for the cross wheels opposite the box and fettled up a ground doll for the trap points as well as fishing the base for it out the ditch, all that can now go in at riverside next weekend.

 

Dom!

You didn't say you'd be up Norfolk way (my bit of the world, doncha know!). Could hae given you a hand, and there's an MR platform bench at the NNR wants collecting for Matlock...

Remind me, Matlock Riverside-concrete blocks, or concrete blocks and some pretty wooden cladding?

Ben

 

ner knew ya was owt that way boss, could have nipped in too


eithers possible, we have the cladding from luffenham in store that came with the box from the Swansea lads,so it depends on how much there is,the trick is to make the base of the box be just under the size of the top so youre cladding looks flush,to start with id say leave it as blocks till youve completed all the signalling works then youve plenty of time to get on with the titivating,but easily do-able

 

Only lived in Norwich for 6 years Dom, should I feel hurt that you didn't notice? : )

Yeh, good plan, base undersized enough to allow battening for timber cladding and lightweight framing. Is the box a Period 2 or 3? What pattern lower cladding, shiplap or T+G?

I haven't done owt towards your name board, reckon it can wait, or make the board and paint letters on in first instance? Won't be anywhere to shove it without the wooden cladding anyways.

I am rushing about acquiring a few bits I'm missing for Matlock, having a gas lamp moment. Back up to the 'Shire on Monday to start preparing the 6 lamp posts for Matlock.

Totem order just being put together, next have an intriguing and very generous offer of a running in board (replica BRM). Hmmmm.....