Turntable Officially Opened at Peak Rail

Hello,

I don't come here that often, but I though folks might be interested to know that another turntable was officially opened on Saturday 1st May 2010 by Pete Waterman. This one was on Peak Rail, which has been worked on by a dedicated band of volunteers over a number of years. So we now have another railway where you can take a loco for a spin!

I made a little video of the day for folks to look at. Hope it is of interest as it also shows the penultimate operating day of the 8F on Peak Rail before she goes on here travels.

[video=youtube;quqD1rA8Kbk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quqD1rA8Kbk[/video]

Enjoy,

Alan

 

Very nice, looks like it was a very good day for you and the railway.

What foot is this?

 

Thanks. It was an ideal day weather wise, especially as the forcast was for rain in the afternoon.

Not sure by you question 'What foot is this?'. The footage in from a HD camera, if that is what you are asking.

Kind regards,

T'Bogger

 

Sorry , the width of the turntable.

 

It's a 60ft, originally at Mold Jct. MPD. Excellent video Alan as always, you've really caught the atmosphere. I've included a pic of my turntable heroes, Dr. Allan Wirth (holding sign) and Derek Ankers (with flat cap, a former 17D driver) who with others have worked miracles to provide Peak Rail with a superb facility at minimal cost. The gent on the right is Peter Bradnam who has supported PR since the Buxton days, and whose firm Tecroc provided much material used in the restoration.

Cheers
Dave

 

Great video, could I ask what equipment you are using?

 

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Film making is my other hobby. The camera I used was Sony PMW-EX1. It was stuck on a tripod with two XLR mics. One facing forward and one facing backwards to get the surround sound...although you won't get that through You Tube. I did have a bit of trouble with some of the footage being over exposed due to the back light compensation being switched on - doh! Still we live and learn.

Hope that is the info you want.

Kind regards,

T'Bogger

 

Thats great thanks, the quality is brilliant. Would you recommend the EX1? I haven't used one yet, getting my first taste of a Z1 friday, all being well.

 

Hell yes! I certainly would recommend the EX1! With it being tapeless technology all of a sudden batery life extends, you don't wear out heads having to play the HDV tapes back in the camera or go to the expence of getting a HDV tape deck and upgade all that sort of stuff. You can still achive to DV if you want or to Blueray. In addition, the camera offers over and under cranking, control over gamma curves and it also has ana excellent lens on it with real end stops for the focus, zoom and iris. Also the SxS cards are expensive, there are some cheaper alternatives and you only need a few anyway. You I think you might have the impression I would recommend it to you. Try one out, it might have you in a spin like the Peak Rail turntable! (That's me trying to being it back on subject ;-)

Kind regards,

Alan

 

So from this weekend on, PR will have a 60ft turntable, but no large steam loco to use it - it's kind of redundant for diesels, don't you think?
I just hope that they finish their link at Matlock soon, and that lots of TOCs want to visit the beautiful Peak District, without the bother and expense of having to take their loco God knows where to turn it.

 

Is there still the weak bridge at Matlock preventing incoming tours? would be good to see steam on the line up to Matlock but I fear its years away.
Brian

 

Bridge 35 from memory has a 18.5 ton axle limit, so OK for Black 5s, Bulleid light pacifics etc. but nothing heavier. When 4472 visited it was topped and tailed from Rowsley to just short of the bridge.

Dave