Peak Rail at Matlock.

Afternoon All,

I have just put another half a dozen pictures of Rowsley on my Fotopic site. These include 'Gordon Highlander' for the benefit of diesel fans, plus a couple of the turntable under (re) construction. This was as it was last month, so it has probably progressed somewhat since then. Here's the link : http://ronfisher2.fotopic.net/c1099919.html

As usual, this is the 'Stop Press!' collection for new pictures. They'll be there for a couple of weeks or so, and then I shall move them to the Derbyshire and Staffordshire collection. So, if you are reading this message around the middle of December or later and can't find them in the Stop Press collection, this is where they will be : http://ronfisher2.fotopic.net/c1399605.html

There are still a few more to come when time permits.

 

i wonder which loco will be on the turntable first

 

I think that just getting to Matlock will be PR's first priority - there was quite a bit of publicity about this 12 months ago. Getting to Bakewell will be slim - the reality is that:
(1) Peak Rail do not own the trackbed north of Rowsley into Bakewell, it is owned by the Haddon Estate who have stated that they do not want a railway line re-instating - maybe Haddon Hall Halt could be needed?
(2)The Peak Park in the recent study stated that there can be no terminus i.e. Bakewell, in the Peak National Park - clearly they would rather have daytrippers arrive in cars than in a train
(3) Major civil engineering issues need addressing - just to get over the A6 the rail needs to be raised 4 feet then dropped by a similar amount on the other side to get over the viaduct, there are two overbridges that need replacing and then there is Haddon Tunnel.
IMHO with increases in the cost of fuel / rail / sleepers increasing on a regular basis, then PR will need very deep pockets, an oversubscribed share issue or Roman Abramovich or another oligarch to become an active member.
Whilst i fully agree that an extension into Bakewell would be the next step and could be like finding a pot of gold. The first and only priority at this time should be getting into Matlock, completing the shed, completing the turntable and attracting some "mainline" steam lociomotives

 

Hmm, see what you mean http://www.bridgeinspections.co.uk/projectPeak.htm

I visited when Flying Scotsman came to Peak Rail some years ago but seem to remember it didn't actually go over the bridge, is this why?

Ralph

 

Not exactly. Bridge 35 is quite a historic structure in its own right. The late Bill Stubbs who was consulting bridge engineer to Peak Rail in 1987-89, reckoned it was one of the first of its kind. Fortunately it is wrought iron and relatively resistant to corrosion, but a later steel bridge of this type would have had a third longitudinal girder down the middle. The result is that under modern bridge design requirements, it is only passed fit for axle loads up to around 18 tons, and on the basis that the single track is in the middle of the bridge. Black 5, 9F, west country yes. Jubilee, Flying scotsman, no. Back in 1990 the repairs carried out cost around £80,000. There is no one feature which if improved would magically raise the strength of the bridge - but it does need painting, which is long overdue, and other repairs.

Tim

 

Is the bridge in question the one in the background here? : http://ronfisher2.fotopic.net/p46547617.html

 

Talking of bridges, the controversial footbridge at Matlock now has a website dedicated to it, Matlock Footbridge Campaign:
http://www.matlockfootbridge.org.uk/ - a good photo gallery showing the impact it's had.

Dave

 

I see that this is one of the standard design footbridges that are installed these days. They are supposed to help the disabled. You have got to walk 200yards up and down the ramps just to get from A to B. They are a nonsense. What should be built are a set of steps and a lift on either side. That is commonsense but these designers can't see that.

 

I wonder how the installation and maintenance costs of a lift and stairs compare to a single ramp? Councils normally go for the lowest cost option.

Regards,

Dan

 

Having seen it in the flesh I can tell you that it totally overwhelms the station and its Victorian Paxton designed buildings.

Petition duly signed!

46118

 

I totally agree with you, Dan, that the cheapest option is normally done. However, it is, invariably, never the best way.

 

Very true. In this case they could have at least made it look like an old style passenger footbridge, but what you have is just a modern design structure painted black!

Regards,

Dan

 

There is more space immediately North of the NR station, and the visual impact could have been reduced by having a lighter structure with straight ramps and just a 90 degree turn at the top on each side. I'm sure I've seen one somewhere in say pale blue, and with lighter guage metalwork.
Somehow the one they have built looks over-engineered. It is also at the wrong end of the station for Sainsburys.

But hey! Planners are "always" right, arn't they!

46118

 

Just like politicians and journalists!

 

This has aroused a bit of interest - if you think our railway heritage shouldn't be spoiled in this way please sign the petition, it may help with other developments not just Matlock http://www.matlockfootbridge.org.uk/ - if you disagree don't sign up!

Cheers
Dave

 

Just one point. Lifts are expensive and attract the undesirable element who relish in filling them with litter, graffiti and worse. Availability of lifts in remote, unsupervised locations is usually poor with very high maintenance costs.

I don't like the footbridge but lifts are not the answer

 

In reply to Firefly - yes that is the bridge in question, you can also see it from the A6 and if you want a closer inspection from the riverside footpath that runs underneath it

 

the bridge doesnt look as bad as i first thought, its ok but not the best.

on a seperate note i got the 'past and present nottinghamshire and derbyshire' off ebay the other day for £1.75 and £1.95 postage, great book for under £4.00, very good condition etc.
i got it for my dad and when it came a couple of days later i had a quick flick, if your interested in peak rail i suggest getting this book as its very good, makes me laugh though it has a picture of rowsley shed site all overgrown etc, look at it now.

Also all the time i lived near retford i never knew the shed still existed, next time i visit ill have a look.

 

just heard peak rail have recived £10,000 from hlf to develop rowsley station

 

does anyone know where i could EASILY get a copy of a plan of bridge 35 atmatlock ,the one over the river,unfotunately there isnt one in through limestone hills