Peak Rail General Discussion

And here is that lovely vehicle, with the train departing in the background! I have to say (potholes apart) that there was a lot of positive feedback about the event, some visitors never having been to Peak Rail before.

Dave

 

Thoroughly enjoyed the bus line-up and bacon butties for lunch, but was surprised that the train service wasn't more intensive to take advantage of the hordes of folk attending (or don't bus spotters do train rides?).

 

Problem with that is that to make it more intensive you'd really need to run the second set which is under restoration. Rather than retimetable

That aside the trains were very busy so I'm assuming a lot of the bus enthusiasts had a ride while there. I didn't realise the buses were doing trips till too late to have a ride. But did see several buses come down church lane and darley Did anyone get any nice pics of that?

 

Monday 2 July 2012 at 8.00pm
For a requested £3* donation on the door, all welcome to:

(* a one-off increase of £1 towards hotel bill for Speaker -
- there will still be free sandwiches at the interval)


"AN A to Z OF YORKSHIRE'S TRANSPORT"
slideshow - John Holroyd (Shipley)

Mostly railways, but also buses, canals, trams, trolley buses,
and some real surprises. Pictures spanning the last 50 years
through to the present day.



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presented by: Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) at
The Harlequin Pub (upstairs function room)
108 Nursery St, Sheffield S3 8GG

bus routes 47, 48, 53 and 87 pass the door.

hope to see you!
Dave

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David Sharp
Peak Railway Association, Sheffield Branch

(E): d.sharp@sheffield.ac.uk
(H): 0114 274 5478
(M): 07950 787 231

Details of future meetings, and directions
to The Harlequin, can be found at:

Sheffield Branch












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I see that 8F 48624 took part in the Olympic Torch celebrations at the GCR this morning

 

How does this link into Peak Rail?

 

It's a case of what might have been - the Torch came through Darley Dale which as you know was the home of the 8F for a number of years. It would have been good if the torch could have been carried by the railway from Matlock to Darley Dale (which was a transit section)

 

Some might say that sums up Peak Rail

 

As an active volunteer who works tirelessly week in week out to make Peak Rail an attractive place to visit I find this remark most offensive and, I'm afraid to say, all too typical of the hard core of "armchair" supporters who from time to time seek to undermine the achievements of this railway. The opening of the extension into Matlock Town Station and the recent "Oliver Cromwell" Railtour our two examples of major progress over the last year. As they say..watch this space.....

 

As one who worked tirelessly to establish the line in the first place back in the 80's, with no mechanical aids, hand sawing and drilling rail etc, only to see our gains squandered by numerous management/policy u-turns, grants lost and good men alienated, I think dggar has a valid point.

 

Constantly raking over the past is a sterile passtime...surely those with the good of the railway at heart are those who are CURRENTLY working in a positive environment to further the progress of the railway. I shall always be happy and proud to point out such progress in the future.

 

Good luck with that. Just remember when we started back it the 70's there was a 15 year plan to have the whole line re-instated. You don't achieve that by constantly changing the management, fluffing grant applications and expelling your most capable staff and volunteers. And I'm not at all sure those lessons have been learned.

 

Well..we'll just have to wait and see..I for one am all too happy to "do my bit" in my various roles on the railway..I really enjoy working as a volunteer in a positive environment and am encouraged by recent developments and looking forward to many more rewarding years..Thanks for your "good luck"...I hope I won't need it!!

 

More Good News!! The Branch Line Society is taking advantage of our link to Network Rail by running a railtour from Derby to Rowsley on Sunday 26th August. Full details here: http://z3.ifrm.com/28081/88/0/p4519...acker_26th_August_Advert_and_Booking_Form.pdf

 

I take notice of your progress since a very very long time (sine 1980) and I still remember an article published in Steam Railway (in 1980 or 1981) with a the following headline"we shall be there(Buxton) well before the end of the century"!)and since........(maybe this one after all!) It was a great great dream the greatest and the more ambitious extension project
I'm very sorry with the recent story of PR: sad to tell but I think that that ultimate goal to extend to Buxton will stay a dead duck for ever
A lot of railways enthusiasts think the same :ask them!
regards
Noel

 

We're very honoured that you condescend to "take note " of our progress. We'd be more inclined to respect your views if you actually DID anything other than moan. Good Luck and cheer up!!.....

 

Now that looks like an interesting day trip - albeit rather expensive

 

Sorry if i have hurted you it's a misunderstanding! take "take note" in a very general way not the factual one
regards
Noel

 

In all fairness to Peak Rail, they have had to wait years for the completion of the Cawdor Quarry development which was bogged down with legal probs, changes in developer, toxic waste in the quarry and a redesign of the scheme as a result. Even now, years later, no houses have been built.

Then there has been protracted negotiations with Network Rail over the connection but now this is in place and the only way to go is northwest.

Since the early days the general attitude to heritage railways has changed dramatically in respect of local authorities, national park authorities, local chambers of commerce, suppliers and the general public from a negative position to a very positive one. However, professional help is necessary these days to deal with the complicated procedures and documentation needed to make a planning application and obtain consent to extend.

Money is a big issue but so is good management, good decision making and co-operation with the cyclists. If Peak Rail can do this, progress in NW direction will be made.

There will of course always be the nimbys to deal with..

 

Thanks for that....such a refreshingly positive and well-balanced contribution....hopefully now we'll hear rather less from the small number of vociferous members of the doom-laden armchair supporters brigade. I was down at the railway today (just as a visitor, not on duty) and there was a real buzz about the place...a children's party occupying an entire carriage...good passenger numbers ...and a full compliment of diners....It seems the public are voting with their feet and patronising the railway in ever increasing numbers.