Peak Rail General Discussion

Just some of the locals expressing their hopes for the Government Grant. As shown in the article, it'll take 5 years just for the feasibility study...

 

There are 2 quite distinct proposals for reinstating the line. Manchester & East Mids Rail Action Partnership is proposing a twin track railway as an integral part of of the national network. Arguably it has a slicker marketing machine compared with Peak Rail but it’s proposals have alarmed many gentle folk including users of the Monsal Trail. The Peak District National Park Authority is currently unconvinced.

Peak Rail’s proposal for a single track heritage line is probably more palatable to park users. However PR did promote the Quarry Consortium as the ‘only way’ to rebuild the line. As predicted by several observers this has fizzled out. Whether the Park Authority will ever say ‘yes’ to stone trains rumbling along the line, who knows. All the exercise showed is that Peak Rail’s ‘big project’ capabilities have a long way to go before they compare with the likes of the Bala Lake or Lynton & Barnstaple Railways.

It will be interesting to see if MEMRAP really does have a credible plan that attracts some feasibility funding.

 

Some photos of the heritage shunters trust event, also managed to finish the block paving up, time to let it settle before more dusting between the blocks, as well as creosoting up Rowsley north frame and some other bits then heading to riverside to do the walkways and same plus a little weeding of the platform access path and finally a bit of oiling n greasing up Rowsley

The praries paintwork continues ,

 

With the weather being good, managed this week to repaint Rowsley box, just the maroon to redo sometime but it’s not that bad on the box, we also spent several days assisting the tamper between Rowsley and riverside , made a new pair backboards for the crossing gate signs at church lane , I also managed to chat with the Repulse gang who were making new cab end sides where they’ve perished and having them welded in, the Ashover gang were about and Andy tells me the 37 is down to its last two cylinder liners going in then it’s onto the rods next, the class 25 is having some more electrical work done by Andrew and Martyn too

 

As has been reported in other railway and enthusiast forums already, the class 25 had a test run with D8 and the carriages and Eustace forth to Matlock and back this week to check things over, here’s a photo shared from a colleague.

 

Think that's what might be called 'spin'. If instead you said, say, 'PR contacted the ORR for advice about the group's operations as it had concerns about the condition of rolling stock and pway involved, and the operating procedures involved' that would come across differently.

Some folks like making things up to suit their own agenda, this simply isn't true, the MD wasn't involved. The useable bits of the 'donated' garages were used by the ALR, sadly they left anything they didn't want behind, in a public area.

Harvey Coppock. Not afraid to use his own name.

 

Harvey I stand corrected if that’s the case and as a member of staff you are close to the action but it isn’t quite the same version of events that I was told by the HST or my colleague at the Council. Given the many years that the HST have been based at Rowsley I still think it’s a peculiar way of managing what should be mutually beneficial relationships between all the groups based on PR.

I don’t have any agenda although I’ve never hidden my desire for regime change at PR Plc, when I look around and see how far and fast other heritage lines have developed their overall visitor experiences (and not necessarily a line extension, although to many folks that is a tangible sign of progress). That’s not a criticism of volunteers or staff, simply my desire for effective leadership and a credible business plan.

 

The permanent way were out and about today sleeper changing in darley loop and dropping ballast beyond darley, my colleague Andrew and myself spent most of the day doing some rewiring and tidying up in a location cupboard at darley.

 

The midlands lamp posts in the Rowsley car park have been wired up post to post for all the posts fitted previously, the full length of the station and carpark, a lot of lights , a lot of trenching and cabling work to connect it all up, the lamp tops are next to finish and fit, hopefully before December if we can, thanks to G Newman Electrical ltd and the digger operator Mr Barrow for all their work.

pics courtesy mr R Newman

Should have some more general stuff to update on this week later on

 

Some photos of newly restored GWR Small Prairie 5553 on Peak Rail's Santa trains, the loco is reported to be easy to fire with injectors that work down to 40psi, a good loco. Temporary 'Polar Express' type headlamp fitted. I believe the Santa trains are fully booked.

Dave

 

Hoping to maybe see 5553 in action during 2022 !

 

Looks super. Santa and his elves will be pleased!

 

Is this small G.W.R. prairie tank 5553 another Barry scrapyard loco that's run for the 1st time in its preservation history, Is this the tanky above that pete Waterman owns or owned? besides formally owning 7027, well done to the engineers at peak rail for the hard work restoring the small prairie 5553 and hope to get a ride behind her in 2022.
Davo 56F

 

Definitely not its first time steaming in preservation. Was at the WSR for a while in the 00s. Apparently Waterman/ Waterman Trust does still own it.

 

Correct, when it first arrived at Peak Rail it was in BR green livery and I think had TPWS equipment fitted.

Dave

 

5553 was the last locomotive to leave Woodham's Barry in January 1990 and I seem to recall the boiler with 'crying face' sat outside Loughborough shed for some time after.

 

Amusingly when its boiler was outside the loco shed at Rowsley, one visitor thought it was from long gone Jubilee 'Canada' - if only!

Dave

 

It will be good when this engine goes on visits to some great western railways as it looks nice and they have done a proper job on it

 

Curious to know why Waterman had it fitted with TPWS after the first overhaul. Can anyone remember what mainline work it was earmarked for?

 

It does seem odd as it spent a lot of its previous operating time on the WSR where it was a very popular performer. Aberdare would know more about that period.