November 8th 2024 100 Friends of Peak Rail 100 Club
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100 Club September 17th 2024 100 Friends of Peak Rail 100 Club
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100 Club August 25th 2024 Rowsley outdoor eating area
The patio area behind Rowsley Tea rooms was open to the public at the steam gala in August. This has been funded by Peak Railway Association with money from the 2023 raffle. The work has been carried out by volunteers for a number of months with an extra special push in July on Monday and Friday.
The steps have been renewed to be more gradual and non slip with new handrails, all meeting the latest regulations. The fencing under the building has been replace with blockwork. New fencing has been erected on two sides to screen off the area and the car port repositioned (again) to provide an under cover area for Derbyshire weather. This will house a pop up bar at certain events.
All the hard paving surfaces were donated to the railway which probably saved well over £1000.
Metal fencing secures the area from the road, meeting child safety requirements with a self closing gate and a new planter constructed from sleepers still to be planted up.
There are some final finishing off touches to complete with the painting of the rear of the tea room and signs. This has been a good project with most of the P way team and others giving their time and shows what volunteering can do for Peak Rail.
Finally, some of the team who made this happen having a break.
June 11th 2024 P Way update
Over the last couple of Mondays the team has been checking the integrity of chair fastenings and sleeper condition. This has been focused on the bullhead sections on wooden sleepers south of the motor point, near Church Lane, through Darley Dale and to Matlock Riverside.
All outer chair screws were tested for movement. If any tightening of these was needed the inner two screws were tested. Spot checks were carried out on the two inner chair screws per chair. Any screws not tightening and remaining loose were marked for further attention. If the chair screw is worn it will be replaced. If ok a metal helical insert can be added to allow the screw to tighten or a Maintenance Screw added. The latter are slightly wider screw and tighten to secure the chair.
Any sleepers requiring replacement have been marked.
All remedial work will be built into the maintenance schedule over the coming weeks or months. Nothing has been identified that would warrant immediate concern and action but all will be completed asap and a start made.
Attention will turn to checking the same issues on all point work. At the same time a check on track gauge will be conducted through each point.
Recently cleaning and greasing of fishplates has taken place between Statham’s and Dick Smith’s Crossings plus in Red House Cutting. This work will continue except if temperatures become too high.
May 30th 2024 Rowsley Tea Room out door eating area
The 2023 raffle run by Peak Railway Association nominated £4000 towards the creation of an outdoor eating area behind the tea room at Rowsley. The space will consist of outdoor and undercover seating enclosed with child friendly fencing and a large planter. New steps from the tea room will enable easier access via hard paving to the car park.
All this work is being done by volunteers from the P-Way team. The first stage was to clear the site of the old planters and weeds to get down to the stone layer. The digger made life easy in digging the post holes for the fencing and foundations for a block work wall beneath the tea room and around the stair case balcony. In the first day a corner section of fencing had been constructed.
In the second day of working the remaining concrete post and wood fencing was constructed.
Two volunteers constructed most of the block work wall.
While the exterior works were happening the steel for the new staircase and handrails was ordered and preliminary assembly started in the workshops. Once all the work has been completed the old steps will be removed and new ones installed.
May 25th 2024 Annual General Meeting
All papers have been posted out to PRA members for the AGM. They contain the following:-
AGM official booklet
Newsletter
Three books of raffle tickets
One travel voucher
Would members please note in line with other railways only one voucher has been issued this year by Peak Rail plc for distribution by PRA to its members. Your annual membership qualifies you to receive a 25% discount on subsequent travel.
We have had some papers returned as the member has moved home. Please make sure the membership secretary has your correct address.
May 22nd 2024 100 Friends of Peak Rail 100 Club
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100 Club May1st 2024 News letter correction
In producing Peak Rail News 3 an error was made in identifying one of the Mk 1 coaches acquired by the PRA from the Plc. I wrongly identified CK 7663 when the correct vehicle should have been SO E4476 built by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company in 1957. It arrived at Matlock by rail on 3rd August 1989.
My apologies to all concerned and thankyou to those who pointed out the error.
Roger Hallatt.
01-05-2024.
April 24th 2024 Peak Rail News 3
Motive Power.
1942 built 0-4-0ST Robert Stephenson& Hawthorne Works No 7063 ex CEGB No 15 Eustace Forth left Peak Rail in mid November having been sold by its owner. However, there was an addition to the locomotive fleet prior to the Santa Specials courtesy of Andrew Civil’s 0-4-0 WG Bagnall Works No 2842. This loco was built in 1946 for the Kent Electric Power Company at Littlebrook Power Station near Dartford. The other loco used on the Santa Specials was 0-6-0 Hudswell Clarke No S102 Cathryn. Arriving at Peak Rail in mid January was 0-4-0ST Hudswell Clarke Works No 750 Waleswood built in 1906 for Skinner and Holford Ltd who operated Waleswood Colliery near Rotherham. Waleswood, 2842 and S102 will operate services through 2024.
The ex-BR Class 108 DMU, which arrived on hire from the Telford Railway, has been purchased by Peak Rail volunteer David Horton. Following the necessary inspection and maintenance regimes the unit was ready to enter service for the new season following Driver and Guard training. Its first revenue earning outing was the ‘Twin Peaks’ gala in April.
Network Rail liveried Class 73 No 73138 which had been in store at Rowsley left during the early hours of 23rd November for Brush Loughborough. Unusually the loco left by rail being collected at Matlock by GBRF Class 69 No 69001 Mayflower. Ex Class 37 97301 also left at the beginning of April.
Engineering.
With the successful completion of remedial work to enable the return of S102 Cathryn to steam and operational use attention has turned to other tasks.
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne 0-6-0ST Works No 7136/44 Royal Pioneer had its frame lifted in late January courtesy of jacks provided by Andrew and Peter Briddon. The axle boxes have been removed to enable access to remove the Thrust Plates for replacement. Other work on this loco has seen the Injectors and associated pipework refitted. Whilst the loco wheels are easily accessible the opportunity will be taken to repaint the wheels and eccentrics.
Throughout January routine maintenance was carried out on S102 Cathryn prior to the new operating season.
Late last year work took place on the refurbishment of an ex-Midland Railway Water Crane. A ladder has been fabricated in the workshop to enable access to the Braithwaite tank once it sits on top of the recently erected steel tower. (For a more detailed insight into this project refer to past articles in the news section of the PRA Website.)
A team of volunteers meets every Thursday evening in Rowsley Engine Shed to undertake specific engineering/locomotive maintenance. New volunteers are most welcome and prior experience is not an issue.
Diesel Crane DRS81139 has had the necessary maintenance undertaken to pass an external inspection. The work on this was mostly completed by Rob Sanders. The crane had been out of use since August 2017 when used on the Darley Dale level crossing works.
The photo shows the crane being used recently to lift a tank wagon weighing 14t which is just under its lift limit. The tank had been used for many years to water steam locos on service trains.
P-Way.
Work progressed on the Bridge 37 underpass in October. With the aid of a mini digger material was scraped from underneath and its approaches. This then allowed 15t of stone to be spread and consolidated with a vibrating ‘wacca’ plate
Before
After
Unfortunately, all this good work was undone by the serious flood event of early December. The flood waters of the River Derwent lifted a significant amount of the stone in the underpass. This was rectified at the end of January. More stone was added to the underpass and the approaches by mid March. At the same time attention has been given to preventing water from the boundary drain on the Down side of the embankment flooding the underpass. To complete the work the overhead girders on each entrance to the underpass were painted yellow and a ‘Mind Your Head’ notice put on. The aim of the works has been to give an alternative means of access to the Multi User Trail (MUT) and fields for local residents. The farm user crossing gates at this location will be locked off at the end of April to prevent the general public from using the crossing to access the MUT. This has been attempted on a number of previous occasions but vandalism to the locks has occurred. Also, the gates have been damaged due to the tractors pushing them open rather than being operated by hand. New notices have been put up reminding the general public that the crossing is solely a farm user crossing and not a public right of way. Another notice explains why the gates have been locked and that whilst Peak Rail volunteers have provided the underpass as an alternative this is also not a public right of way. This notice also states that the alternative is not a public right of way and the general public use it at their own risk particularly because there is restricted headroom.
At the end of March new boards were ordered and delivered for use on Matlock Riverside platform. All were fitted over the Easter period.
In September a start was made on cleaning and greasing fishplates in the main running line. Work started at Statham’s Crossing progressing northwards. This task will be ongoing throughout 2024.
Also, in September a few days were spent cleaning out the remainder of the drain in Red House Cutting. Two thirds of this drain was cleaned out a couple of years ago so it was overdue to complete the task. The drain is made up of concrete sections and about two foot in depth. The organic material and sludge filled most of the channel. As a final part of this task a rail tanker full of water was successfully used to flush the drain.
Throughout January and early February all the structures associated with the P-Way were inspected and the appropriate paperwork completed. Any faults noted have had a time limit put in place within which rectification works must be completed. The inspections cover bridges, retaining walls, embankments, cuttings, foot/farm user/level crossings, platforms, drains and fencing.
Planning is ongoing for a number of projects. A siding of five 60 ft track panels is to be laid from the Turntable plus a smaller length siding to accommodate the Sleeping Coach. This will require the purchase of concrete sleepers to take the Flat Bottom rail already in stock. Behind the Engine Shed number 1 and 4 roads will be extended by two further 60 ft panels each. The Bull Head rail, Chairs and other fittings are already in stock but 360 ft of longitudinal sleepers will need to be purchased. Both of these projects will provide much needed extra siding space. Some of the extra space behind the Engine Shed will be occupied by the Steam Crane.
Further work on sleeper replacement will continue once appropriate second-hand hardwood ones have been purchased.
Peak Railway Association Raffle 2023
The raffle raised a record £14,687 after costs. At a recent Board meeting the Directors agreed to provisionally allocate £4,000 to each of the following projects:
Mk 1 Sleeping Coach: For Health & Safety reasons volunteers are no longer able to use this facility. After asbestos removal in 1992/3 half the sleeping compartments were brought back into use. The objective is to refurbish all the compartments, access steps, electrics and smoke/fire alarms to meet current H&S regulations.
Rowsley Tearoom Patio: The area of car parking behind the Tearoom is to be converted into a Patio. Picnic style tables would be purchased. The wooden Car Port structure, which acted as a Beer Tent on occasions last year, would be moved onto part of the patio to provide covered accommodation. Planters will be purchased to enhance the immediate environment. Some work would also be necessary to the steps at the rear of the Tearoom to give the required safe access.
Matlock Shop. The aim is to convert this into a themed tearoom. A pre planning application has gone in to Derbyshire Dales District Council in the event that a change of use is required.
Coaching Stock.
The Peak Railway Association Ltd has taken ownership of four vehicles from the Plc.
These are a Mk1 CK E7663, Mk1 TSO SC4623, Mk1 SLF Sleeping Coach E2080 and Bullion Coach E99204.
E7663 is a Corridor Composite built at BR Wolverton Works in 1956 with first and second class seating.
SC4623 is a Tourist Open Second built at BR York Works in 1957.
E2080 a Sleeper First built by Metropolitan camel in 1959. This is unique having been stripped of asbestos in the early 90’s.
E99204 was originally built as a BSK Brake Corridor Second by Metropolitan C&W Co in 1956/57.and converted to a Bullion Van after the Great Train Robbery to provide more secure accommodation. Yet another unique vehicle because it is the only survivor of the five ordered by BR.
For further detailed information on these and all other vehicles on Peak Rail past and present you can purchase the excellently researched and recently updated Peak Rail Stock Book by Brian Cuttell. Brain has kindly agreed that all proceeds from the sales will go to the Royal Pioneer Appeal.
Peak Rail has purchased a Mk 1 BSK, Brake Second Corridor, from Locomotive Services Ltd. This vehicle had previously been stored at Peak Rail. This is a dual brake, dual heat coach in good condition. It has the normal issues at the coach ends which will need attention at some point in the future. Some work is required around the Guard’s door. Also, at some point an attempt was made to turn two of the four compartments into one. However, the parts are available in stock to reverse this.
Work on RMB SC 1835, the Buffet Car, is continuing. Welding work was completed a while back. The rotten areas at the back of the bar have been renewed, this being a legacy of an accident repair at some point in its life. Most of the rest of the work was to renew sections of the door pillars and some of the top rail. Much work around the ends as been where the body wasn’t too well attached to the chassis. Also, various bits of the gangway were separating due to corrosion. Some work has also been completed to the roof and gutters. All the paintwork has been stripped of the coach with various dents and welds being filled ready for a repaint. The vestibule and toilet floors have been renewed. The toilet partitions have been stripped and renewed with repairs and new sections around the bottom of them due to rot. A replacement set of batteries has been sourced and await installation.
A second propelling board has been fabricated which will allow two train running into Matlock/Matlock Riverside.
RBR 1970 has had much new heating pipework and fittings installed underneath. Over the years various attempts have been made to repair these but access is difficult due to there being much other equipment underneath the coach.
Rowsley Buffet/Tearoom.
This was reconfigured during January to separate off the food preparation area from the serving counter. The work involved moving existing or installing new cupboards, worktops and the creation of a new doorway and stud wall. Except for some electrical work and the laying of an area of new floor covering the changes were completed by volunteers particularly Mick Allison and Clive Haigh. All the materials required were funded by the PRA. The Tea room has been enhanced by the provision of framed photos from the Association archive.
The Tearoom is now open from Wednesday to Sunday every week plus Bank Holiday Mondays.
Rowsley Shop.
A storeroom facility has been added to the end of the shop area through the construction of stud walls by Mick and Clive. This gives the shop its own storage area rather than sharing other increasingly crowded spaces. As with the Tearoom alterations all the materials were funded by the PRA.
Rowsley Loco Watering Facility.
There have been detailed updates on this project on the website and it is pleasing to report that the project is nearing completion. Further work is required on the Braithwaite tank, valves and connection to the mains water supply. So far around £11,000 has been spent on this project. This has been funded using the generous donations received by the PRA, during and after Covid, from members.
Darley Dale Footbridge.
Many congratulations to the Derwent & Wye Valley Railway Trust on securing a significant grant towards their project to re-install the original footbridge at Darley Dale station. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £223,000 towards this ambitious project which will enable the restoration and installing of the bridge. The Trust will meet the balance of the project costs (19,000) also aided with a grant from Darley Dale Town Council (£1,000). For more information on this project please visit the Trust website.
Signalling and Telegraph. (S&T).
The level crossing gates at Darley Dale are being checked monthly to ensure the bearings aren’t drifting out of tightness.
The wicket gate, along with associated posts, that allows access to the signal box at Darley Dale have been rebuilt.
At Matlock Riverside work has taken place to ease the pull for the signaller on signals 5, 6 and 10 which are at the bridge end.
On the Telecoms side overhaul of various phones and parts as part of the post winter checks has been carried out.
Rowsley signal box will be open to visitors on June 1st & 2nd.
With the original footbridge going back in at Darley Dale work will be required to move location cabinets currently in the way of new footings.
Operational.
Following on from a very encouraging Easter the ‘Twin Peaks Gala’ was held on April 11-13th. Like last year this involved joint ticketing with Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Also provided was a bus service between Wirksworth and Matlock using heritage buses. The Gala proved to be very successful especially with GBRF Class 69 69008 Robert Howe visiting Peak Rail on the Friday and Saturday. The Class 69 worked in tandem with Class 47 D 1501. Also in service on Peak Rail were Class 44 D8 Penyghent and the Class 108 DMU.
Roger Hallatt
18th April 2024.
April 12th 2024 Annual General Meeting
Notification is given that the Peak Railway Asociation Ltd Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 14th June 2024 at 7.00pm at the Methodist Church meeting rooms Dale Road North, Darley Dale, Matlock DE4 2FT
March 18th 2024 Glyn Waite books
Glyn Waite will be well remembered for his railway publications and as a speaker at many railway meetings. Following his death, his estate has kindly donated his stock of new books to Peak Railway Association. These are available to purchase at the shop at Rowsely station on operational days with all proceeds going to railway projects.
Rowsley - A Rural Railway Centre (Hardback)
Rowsley - A Rural Railway Centre (Softback)
Rowsley Railway Miscellany
Rowsley Railway Miscellany - 2
A Guide to Historic Railway Walks of Rowsley
Hassop - A Chronology of Railway History
Cromford Station
Charles Burling - Signalman of Cromford
Rowsley - A Rural Railway Centre (Softback)
Rowsley Railway Miscellany
Rowsley Railway Miscellany - 2
A Guide to Historic Railway Walks of Rowsley
Hassop - A Chronology of Railway History
Cromford Station
Charles Burling - Signalman of Cromford
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February 25th 2024 100 Friends of Peak Rail 100 Club
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100 Club February 24th 2024 Doug Copley films
'Doug Copley's Lineside Images' are 68 titles filmed 1980's, 1990's & 2000's variously 12-90 minutes long. They come with Doug's own commentary and tend to follow lines of route, or particular workings, filmed over multiple return visits.
Doug's videos often include interludes of impressively vocal bird song! In Alfred Hitchcock (filmmaker) style, Doug occasionally makes brief cameo appearances in his own films.
Doug gave annual shows to Peak Rail Sheffield Branch. When he died in 2008 his films were kindly made available to the Peak Railway Association by his family so that appreciative enthusiasts can continue to enjoy his work in his memory.
During his working life as a steelworks commissioning engineer, he travelled extensively and the collection includes South America, South Africa, India, Turkey (steam), and Australia. The UK collection includes many secondary lines, and also industrial railways. A treasure trove.
You can view the films here
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9yKQ4ti_Fv6Q9hXWFI39OvQxIJsoxll7&si=NnlRgnR05fTYSiFc
If you have enjoyed watching these films maybe you would like to donate to the Peak Railway Association “Royal Pioneer” appeal.
Account Name: Peak Railway Association Ltd
Sort Code: 16-25-21
Account No: 10052935
Or by post with a cheque made out to Peak Railway Association and short letter stating “Royal Pioneer donation” to the Peak Railway Association Treasurer at: -
P. H. Waller, Fern Cottage, Main Road, Eyam, Hope Valley, S32 5QW.
February 18th 2024 Book offer
The new Peak Rail Stock Book is now available giving details of all the locomotives, carriages & other rolling stock on the line. It is 93 pages including 36 colour photos.
Copies can be purchased from the Peak Rail shop at Rowsley on operating days or alternately by post from:
Stock Book, Moorland View, Westhill Lane, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5BE
The price is £10 including UK Post & Packing. Please make cheques payable to Peak Railway Association Ltd.
January 18th 2024 Matlock Station Grant
The Derwent & Wye Valley Railway Trust, applied to the East Midlands Railway Trust for £1000 grants to help us purchase self-watering plant barrels to replace old disintegrating wooded barrels on Platform 2 at Matlock
After applying successfully in 2022 4 self watering barrels were purchased; EMR kindly offered us a chance to apply again in 2023 which we did and were able to purchase a further 4 barrels to enhance the look of Platform 2, which is of course opposite the platform the passengers use for the EMR trains and generates complementary comments about our efforts on Platform 2.
The self-watering barrels are very helpful to maintain the plants in a good condition, as we have no direct water supply and rely on collecting rain into a water barrel which is helpful but can run dry especially in view of the number of barrels we now have! Our thanks go to David Lathrope (DWVRT) for submitting the application and the East Midlands Railway for the funding .
January 13th 2024 Annual raffle results
The annual raffle for 2023 was drawn on Saturday 6th January at the station buffet at Rowsley. The first ticket was drawn by a visitor on the day overseen by PRA directors Jacob Short and Pete Waller.
This year there were 14 prizes as follows
A big thank you to all visitors and members who supported us as the 2023 raffle raised a record amount £14687 after costs for the Peak Railway Association.
This year 3 projects have been identified, with £4000 going to each one and the remaining money will be distributed between them as required.
Renovation of the PRA volunteers sleeping coach.
Outdoor eating area for the Rowsley Buffet.
Renovation of the Peak Raail shop at Matlock station .