Peak Rail
| Peak Rail | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Commercial operations | |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | Peak Rail |
| Stations | 3 |
| Length | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1863 |
| Closed | 1968 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1987 | Peak Rail acquires Darley Dale and Track Relay work begins |
| 1991 | Peak Rail, Granted Light Railway Order |
| 1992 | Peak Rail Re-opens, Train Rides officially begin |
| 1997 | Rowsley South reached, PR extended |
| 2 July 2011 |
Peak Rail reaches Matlock (Platform 2), Services extended, First ever steam through service since 1968 |
| Headquarters | Matlock |
Peak Rail is a preserved railway in Derbyshire, Central England, which operates a steam and heritage diesel service for tourists and visitors to both the Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales.
The preserved railway line is over three and a half miles (5.6 km) in length and, as of April 2016[update], operates train services from Matlock station (shared with Derwent Valley Line services from Derby via Ambergate) via the site of Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale to Rowsley South.
Peak Rail intends to extend its operational services northward to Bakewell when resources allow, extending to a total of 4.25 miles (6.84 km). Beyond Bakewell, the railway trackbed is used by the Monsal Trail, but a restored line could operate single track alongside (as is done by the heritage Avon Valley Railway) once safety issues are resolved.
In 1975, the Peak Railway Preservation Society was established and opened a site at the now-closed Buxton Steam Centre with restoration facilities and a 300-yard operating line. They also operated a successful restaurant ("The Palatine") in two railway carriages on site. Proposals were put forward to extend the operating line onto the single track freight line towards Peak Forest, but were not met with success.
In the 1980s, Peak Rail relocated its headquarters to Darley Dale and by 1991 the railway had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale.
In 1997, the line was extended within a half-mile south of the Derbyshire village of Rowsley itself. A new station was constructed next to the site of the former loco shed at Rowsley South. The station was capable of holding long incoming charter trains and had a car park to accommodate a large number of cars and other vehicles. The station at Rowsley South has also been utilised for local charity events and cycle races, as well as steam and vintage vehicle rallies. With its location on the edge of the Peak District, the railway joins other attractions in the area, including Bakewell, Haddon Hall, Chatsworth House, the Rowsley shopping village, the village of Rowsley and the Cauldwell's Mill museum.
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Wikipedia