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Peak Rail General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by kestreleyes, Nov 22, 2009.

  1. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    lord phil- whilst not a technical expert on locomotives in any way,as far as i was aware it was running repair work due to newness?,il ask but remember locomotive issues are items that require both the railways who hire them and the leasers permission before you go spreading all over the internet this and that tittle tattle,as they may take offence if you put something down which is incorrect or causes offence, very few railways put down what goes wrong with their fleet.

    the turntable is used to turn stock and as far as i know is used to turn locos when needed though the position of cab or bunker forward is one that the operations departments dictate for safety and operational reasons,hence why the turntable isnt used willy nilly on a daily basis,same as most railways with exception to some narrow gauge lines where theyre used as part of the runround procedures such as the KLR and RER, i believe there is an incoming charter this year in spring which i would surmise will be turned for its return leg.

    hope that helps.
     
  2. Respite

    Respite Member

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    Let's have some steam loco news for a change.

    Lord Phil
    Arrived at Peak Rail in April 2011 and saw limited use until a leak from under the saddletank was spotted. The leak was from the boiler so the loco went away for repairs. The loco then saw a little use again but it is now up on jacks while a contractor repairs the axleboxes. When the loco was delivered it had shims in the axleboxes and in the horns themselves to stop side play. Two shims fell out in use and the front wheels were rubbing the fitted bolts holding the horns in place.

    Warrington/Royal Pioneer/68013
    In use following repairs to the foundation ring over the Christmas new year period. Repairs done by LNWR Crewe.

    Zebedee
    Undergoing overhaul to the axleboxes and motion. Boiler work which will include stay and rivet replacement still to do.

    HE3888
    Stored unserviceable. I was told some years ago that the Heritage Shunter Group would sell this loco or considerable a sensible run and restore contract from a reputable/experienced railway.

    Why the steam locos face Matlock and rarely get turned.
    This is to enable people to get photos of the steam loco at Matlock as it arrives and waits for departure. If the loco was on the north end of the train it would just be off the platform end. This is unfortunate from an enthusiasts viewpoint as the steam loco is on the downhill end and does little work with a diesel pulling the train back to Rowsley. If only one loco is available then trains run to Matlock Riverside and use the run round there.
     
  3. dggar

    dggar New Member

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    Has this happened since trains started running into Matlock?
     
  4. Respite

    Respite Member

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    Yes it has. If you read Jan Ford's Blog linked to in my post of 12/02/2012 occasions when the diesel wasn't available are covered and the train ran to Riverside. Also at the start of this year i.e. Jan and Feb trains were running to Riverside anyway probably becuase patronage didn't justify two locos and two crews. It would be interesting to know if running to Matlock has increased revenue enough to cover the costs of diesel fuel for the big ex BR mainline lcoos that are being used to top and tail trains. When I last visited the railway there weren't many travelling.
     
  5. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    we see patronage from a different perspective--usually four foot up and very cold-eg being lineside all day we see the trains go past, as far as i see when were down the lineside trains are busy,depends on weather,etc obviously but usualy theres a good mix of more adults than families,quite a lot being id say in their mid thirtees upwards so thats good,i gain the impression theyre partners simply after a day out and the peak district and us was an idea for a day out,summer time usually sees a lot of all walks of life appear,something a few years back we never noted,it tended to be the usual dads are enthusiasts with their kids,the missus or the odd holiday maker,now we see people of all types visiting,could be the fact were on the main A6 THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARK.

    itd be good to see if this is also mirrored at other lines and what trends there are since credit crunch kicked in, but since opening up to matlock id say theres a healthy steady stream of more visitors,as is the case with a lot of other local attractions.

    will do an update at the weekend as weve all been tied up workwise or elsewhere this week :(

    dom
     
  6. dggar

    dggar New Member

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    I took your previous posting to mean that the train ran to Matlock town and then propelled the coaches back to Riverside to run round and then push the coaches back to the town station. My mistake
     
  7. Petwall

    Petwall Member

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    At present trains trains can only run into Matlock if they are top and tailed. If only one loco is available they have to terminate at Riverside where the loco can run round. Once the signalling at Riverside is finished trains will run into Matlock with just one loco. A release loco will then drop down to Matlock and take the train back up to Rowsley leaving the loco that brought it in at Matlock. Once the train has cleared the section at Riverside the loco left behind at Matlock will move up to the loop at Riverside ready to act as release loco for the next train into Matlock. Operating into platform two at Matlock will always require two locos, that is something we have to live with. If in the future two pasenger trains were to run it will only needs three locos. Some trains do only run as far as Riverside they are the demonstration freight and the evening dining train. Trains only ran to Riverside on the first two Sundays this year. All other trains are scheduled to run to Matlock. One must remember things like a possession on the Ambergate to Matlock branch can affect our ability to run into Matlock and as such trains will then terminate at Riverside.

    Pete
     
  8. Woodster21

    Woodster21 Member

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  9. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

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    Nice film - steam heat to spare!

    Dave
     
  10. daveannjon

    daveannjon Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately the video has now been removed.

    Dave
     
  11. Woodster21

    Woodster21 Member

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    Dave

    At least we saw it! It was good

    Andy
     
  12. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    carried on with Dave jacking benches into place at Riverside,then work on the fpls ,Dave has also been busy painting signals at darley and riverside,Petes been working on gate locks and John on signalbox items.

    Locos

    The class thirty one was having some routine mtce done on it and Mr Briddons shunter is progressing well,the body shell over the block being off to allow him to work on the engine inside.

    Andys website can be viewed at Weekend rails » Tales of the Andrew Briddon loco collection
     
  13. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    Rob,John,Pete,Kev,Elliot,Dave,Ian and myself spent the last three days working on s&t, Pete,Ian and Dave spent the sunday fettling up the electric locks,then on monday we fitted the signal ladders to the Riverisde signals ,together with the lamps and some of the down wires to the cranks on the posts, then on tuesday we completed these followed by putting the 15a crank bench in front the box for the diverging points and altering the position of the mechanical detector to straddle this,some final work on the box roof to complete the day.

    Elsewhere

    The class 31 has been having some work done on its brake systems
     
  14. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    For those who live west of the hills Dr Les Nixon is giving a illustrated talk on Peak District railways this Friday 9 March for the Altrincham Electric Railway Society, details here:

    Lectures

    Courtesy of Mr Winter
     
  15. PortRoadFan

    PortRoadFan New Member

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    I'm a newcomer to this forum, but have been following Peak Rail's intentions towards the Matlock - Buxton line for some years now.

    Does the expansion of cycle tracks through the Monsal Trail tunnels and now seemingly through Haddon Tunnel mean that re-opening the line to trains is effectively blocked, since I can't see how both could share passage through the tunnels? And are the relevant Peak District authorities still interested in re-opening the line, since I read a while back that the Park Authority had approved the tunnels project on the Monsal Trail without including Peak Rail in the planning process?!


    Chris
     
  16. Petwall

    Petwall Member

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  17. PortRoadFan

    PortRoadFan New Member

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    Hi Pete

    Thanks for that link, at least they have included the possibility in their thinking. Whether they'll stick to it or the cycling lobby will accept it and not fight tooth and nail to prevent it remains to be seen I suppose. Are there any moves going on within Peak Rail to replace the A6 bridge at Rowsley, obviously not actual construction but planning work?

    Chris
     
  18. kestreleyes

    kestreleyes Well-Known Member

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    theres always planning or behind the scenes work going on sir,on various levels.
     
  19. philw2

    philw2 Member

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    I believe the A6 is the boundary between the Derbyshire Dales Council and the PDNP. To include the A6 bridge in the Rowsley Village extension may require a separate planapp. to the PDNP. If this is so, It may not be feasible until a planapp. for the extension to Bakewell is submitted. That would be a shame as to incorporate the bridge in the Rowsley Village app. would have distinct advantages: not least a statement of intent.


    However, I don't know whether the bridge location falls within one authority or the other or both..
     
  20. philw2

    philw2 Member

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