Peak Rail at Matlock.

Well there's plenty of room for the centrifuges - a couple of Austerities don't take up much room ....

 

There's a great article in the July 2011 Railway Magazine covering the forthcoming celebrations....here's the online link:http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/return-to-matlock

 

PRESS RELEASE – IMMEDIATE​

​

COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO MATLOCK STATION FESTIVAL EVENT​

On 1 July 1968 the final British Rail through trains operated from Matlock, before heading on the Peak Line to Manchester, including operating over the section of line that is now operated by Peak Rail to Rowsley South. Local stopping trains had ceased a year previously, as the route succumbed to the railway cuts of the 1960s instigated by the infamous report by Dr Richard Beeching.

Fast forward exactly 43 years and Peak Rail PLC are delighted to announce that as from 1 July 2011, passenger trains will once again be travelling north from Matlock station, with the opening of the railways extension from our current terminus at Matlock Riverside and Matlock station.

Operating services from Matlock station has been a long held objective of Peak Rail plc and is seen as being crucial to the ongoing development of the railway. The granting of a lease by Network Rail to allow this to happen was the culmination of years of negotiations and planning. Physical work on installing the trackwork into the disused Platform 2 began when contractors moved onto site in mid-May and track has now been re-laid into the platform during a series of night possessions.

A four day celebration to mark this historic occasion gets underway on Friday 1 July, when invited guests, along with our supporting members and shareholders will become the first passengers to use the new extension to the railway – we regret that the railway will not be open to the public on 1 July. The following day sees the beginning of public services running into Platform 2 at Matlock station, which is currently being refurbished in preparation for the reopening. The refurbishment includes raising the height of the platform by 10 inches, and it will also boast authentic fittings and furniture over the coming months.

The official opening ceremony will take place at Matlock station at 11.00am on Saturday 2 July and during the ceremony a plaque will be unveiled in memory of former Peak Rail PLC Joint Managing Director, the late Jeremy Clegg. After the opening ceremony the first public carrying train will leave Matlock station at 11.07am, launching an exciting new era in the history of Peak Rail.

A few places are still available on a special celebratory dining train which will be running on the Saturday. Seats on this historic dining train are priced at £35.00 for a sumptuous four-course meal and advanced booking is essential.

On Sunday 3 July, attention will turn to the other end of the railway, with the official opening of our Engine Shed at Rowsley South. The opening will be performed at 2.00pm by members of the Rowsley Association, which includes a number of former members of staff who worked at Rowsley Shed when it was operated by British Railways prior to the closure of the railway. The event will also see the large Engine Shed Workshop dedicated as ‘The Roger Bennett Workshop’ in memory of one of our former volunteers who left a significant legacy to the railway which has funded a large proportion of the building costs.

At 2.00pm on Monday 4 July, the Chair of the National Railway Heritage Awards Committee will visit the railway to unveil a commemorative plaque, which has been presented to Peak Rail in recognition of our volunteers who have restored our turntable at Rowsley South over a number of years.

Peak Rail plc Joint Managing Director Jackie Statham said: “After all the hard work over the years, we are really looking forward to running trains from Matlock station and it is a tribute to all our volunteers and staff who have made Peak Rail the railway that it is today. The formal opening of our Engine Shed and the award given for the restoration of our turntable are just a couple of examples of how hard our railway is working to develop our facilities and realising our aims of providing a top quality day out for families and railway enthusiasts. If you haven’t been to Peak Rail for a while, come and see what we have to offer.”

More details of the opening celebrations can be found on our website at www.peakrail.co.uk.

ENDS

 

Thanks AMCOWARD for the PR PR. Any chance of photos of the on-going platform works?

 

The following link to the Friends of the Derwent Valley Line has some interesting photo's etc

http://www.fdvl.org.uk/

 

Just got back from a day out at Peak Rail (first visit since 2008) and would like to say how pleasant it was to visit.

We had time to travel, photograph (using the many paths in and around the railway) and look round all three stations. The station staff and train crew were helpful and the volunteers at Rowsley were particularly friendly for letting us look around the yard and get some photographs of the locos stabled there. One thing that struck me (having never been in the yard before) was the space at Rowsley South! Many railways seem to have their workshops/sheds jammed into a small parcel of land so its nice to see a more open plan layout.

Although the train wasn't exactly packed I hope there was enough to justify the special diesel day as that is what attracted us in the first place. D8 "Penyghent" was very photogenic in the sun with its matching coaching stock.

So thanks to all at Peak Rail, and I hope the railway continues to flourish, through the Matlock opening and beyond. Attached are a few of the images from today:

 

Some very nice shots, especially D8 framed by the tree.

Dave

 

Looking at the images on the FDVL website, it does look a rather tight schedule to raise the height of the platform at Matlock, but presumably that is factored in to the 1st July opening.
The "spoiler" of an otherwise pleasant station is that terrible black footbridge, which is even more hideous when you see how it overpowers the frontage and approach to the station buildings, but given it is there, I wonder if there is a chance that it could--at least over the tracks--be painted in the cream and maroon style which I think is used on the existing buildings and canopy? That would at least make it look a little better and more in keeping.

 

I suggested that not so long ago but in hindsight it probably isn't a great idea for a number of reasons...

~ Maroon and cream would just draw more attention to how awful it is.
~ I imagine itd cost a small fortune to do with track possessions, scaffolding and so on.
~ And even if it could be done itd only turn black again with exhaust fumes\smoke etc.

I think the best that we can hope for is that someone trails a few climbing plants up it. Some ivy ought to take over in a few years.

 

you could always paint a mock midland bridge upon the side of it!!! "im joking all...calm the nerves and heart down !"

or we could paint it all like sky colours so it blends in with the sky!!!oooh errr

the platform is cracking along, 2/3rds done i believe, im told itl have a temporary surface just for the opening as theres no point putting tarmac on it if you have to dig it up to put services in ,posts and structures up etc,makes sense.

 

It's certainly an eyesore. I wonder if English Heritage have an opinion?

It's completely devoid of aesthetics and painted wartime black. No architectural input whatsoever..

 

>>the platform is cracking along, 2/3rds done i believe, im told itl have a temporary surface just for the opening as theres no point putting tarmac on it if you have to dig it up to put services in ,posts and structures up etc,makes sense.

Although I'm still working on putting the lamp posts in before we open! Before anyone reads too far between the lines there.

The totems and running in boards have arrived! And they look AWESOME!

 

Can't you install plastic flexi ducting for future services and get the blacktop finished?

 

That is the plan, in fact we'll be putting in for the lights, but there's a drain to go down the back as well (which is less of an imperative if there is no tarmac to start with). Dom was also referring to structures including the waiting rooms and canopy, which would need the surface excavating and drains and footings installing. If we did that, and then we had to patch in the tarmac afterwards, I bet they'd all be saying we'd jumped the gun and surfaced it too soon!

It'll get surfaced in tarmac soon enough. I think it's been decided as a course of best action all around to hold off on the top surface just for now, and that is what we'll do.

Ben

 

Thanks Ben, how do you provide modern lighting levels with olde worlde lampposts? Also, will rainwater runoff flow over the platform edge or does it have to be collected inboard?
Just interested..

 

rainwater!!!,lighting levels!!! oh much joy with standards and modernity and all, depends upon what was discussed above our level at the meetings really,sorry cant answer that one at present ! people have requested some pics, Petes link might provide a few good uns for all

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peakrailprogress/

 

nice pics indeed! it's a great shame and tragedy that NEVER these wonderful landscapes will see a train :sick:
regards
noel

 

I wouldn't be too sure about that...you know the saying..."never say never"..???

 

ive seen some pics of the platform raising work taken yesterday and the use of the old stone looks brilliant.
the platform looks just like the original only cleaner and higher. you wouldnt be able to tell.


I am a little surprised there hasnt been more updates, maybe could have had some on the peak rail website too like other lines do. but anyway


how is the work at Riverside progressing?
any news when the box will be going in?

 

From what I've seen of the various departments involved in the Matlock extension, especially civils, S&T and the office, most of the staff and volunteers are working pretty flat out to get everything ready. I've been borrowing carriage department volunteers to assist with the (apparently growing) number of jobs on my list. I walked past a group of rolling stock volunteers today, calming going about restoring their stock, and felt a bit jealous!

I think that the sheer volume of work on at the moment might account for those involved not reporting their work as much as usual. Apart from which, the situation changes daily.

In partial mitigation, as I've finished before 9pm today, I'm going to report what I've been up to since I moved back to the East Midlands, and attach a few photos. How's that?

Tuesday- first day at the railway in ages for me, and Harvey and I spent the day finishing repairs to the 6th lamp post of the set for the platform. I gathered all the bench ends together and assembled some of the signage I had hidden away. The last few bench ends were needle gunned and set aside.
Wednesday was an odd day, conned my dad into bringing up the 10 half barrel planters to Rowsley, along with some of the plant stock we'd been growing, all of which was stored away in one of the BGs. I stayed for the evening to do some modifications to 2 of the original totem brackets for the lamp posts- some previous misshaping had to be solved and the straps welded back together, now that I had a totem handy to check the fit with. The timber for the running in board frame and various other bits and pieces was collected and stored in Mansfield that evening.
Thursday was spent making a start on the platform benches. About half the new timber was purchased and cut to length. I'll buy the rest at the beginning of next week and machine it all together. Some steel brackets were prepared for the running in board frame, and primed before we left (quite late).
Friday was planter day. John and Jenny Gittins joined us to ballast, fill with compost and plant out the barrels. The gardens will also include the bank behind the platform (when we get round to it), but it was nice to see months of growing bulbs and seedlings come together in 10 very presentable planters, which will fill out and bloom properly as the summer progresses.
Saturday- Having made a start on the running in board frame, this was nearly finished by the end of the day. The earlier mentioned brackets to fit and some beading to make, but the enamel was trial fitted and sits well on the frame. Timber for the two support posts was dropped off to the carriage shed where I can get at it tomorrow. Planning to get the whole assembly ready for installation midweek.

The lamp posts will be loaded up ready to go in the next couple of days- the platform is almost ready to take them.


I haven't got a clue what's been happening at Matlock, I've been holed up at Rowsley for 5 days now, but I hear good things.

Will keep you posted, but am afraid my side of things is rather humdrum compared to the civils in town.

Ben