On 24 Nov 2009, at 12:23, howardsprenger wrote:
> > Apologies for re-opening this thread but, whilst doing the day job
> today - happened to catch this little gem in the BBC Radio series
> "Open County" aired at 0600 on Saturday mornings <snip>
> >
> > http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgft
>
> Thanks Vince - a very interesting programme. It will be repeated at
> 1500 on Thursday 26th November.
>
> Also, unlike other "Listen Again" links that only last for 7 days,
> it looks as though the link that Vince provided might be around for
> a little longer, given the number of programmes from the series that
> can still be heard.
>
People that use iPods and iTunes can download the above (and
subsequent programmes) as a podcast and save it on your hard drive for
posterity
Nick
Not about railways, so very OT, but a lovely piece of history that I spotted in
Ashbourne over the weekend...
In the bus station, there is a cafe called "Busy Bees" (breakfasts recommended!)
Before the days of the National Bus Company, it was part of the Trent Motor
Traction empire, and the brass door pushes still bear "TMT" engravings - quite
nostalgic...!
Cheers,
Howard.
> Apologies for re-opening this thread but, whilst doing the day job today -
happened to catch this little gem in the BBC Radio series "Open County" aired at
0600 on Saturday mornings <snip>
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgft
Thanks Vince - a very interesting programme. It will be repeated at 1500 on
Thursday 26th November.
Also, unlike other "Listen Again" links that only last for 7 days, it looks as
though the link that Vince provided might be around for a little longer, given
the number of programmes from the series that can still be heard.
Howard.
Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] Re: Melbourne Military Railway
Hi
Fantastic
Brought back happy memories! (But I must say the editing of the C&HP bit made the journey jump backwards and forwards), and I liked the way Sheep Pasture became Middleton Top! In fact I suspect the beam engine was Middleton Top as the winding wheel was never engaged in the film sequence, and I think Sheep Pasture had been electrified by then.
Can I get these DVD's overseas?
Malcolm
To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com From: wheaty@derby.org Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:33:53 +0000 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] Re: Melbourne Military Railway
On 21 Nov 2009, at 19:10, ptrkaz wrote: > --- In derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, Nick Wheat <wheaty@...> > wrote: > > Perhaps all this talk of Chellaston Jct. to Ashby is an appropriate > > time to play a video clip from c.1963 that will be familiar to > > devotees of British Transport Films. > > I know it takes the 'wrong' road, but it's a nice approach shot! > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQZWnNej90 > > Nick > > Brilliant clip Nick; never seen that before. It really illustrates > how the much busier and more important line to Stenson Jn has such a > sharp curve and hence is signalled as the secondary route. > > Which film is this from? Is there more on Youtube? >
The clip is from the British Transport Films production - Forward to First Principles - filmed to show how modern freight trains (in 1963!) were moving from pick-up goods to block trains (MGR, Freightliner, etc)
It is half an hour in length and shows some stunning railway history from all over Britain.
Luckily for us, about a third of the film is of Derbyshire subjects and I've put a compilation on Youtube (minus the freight train driver) but this will be removed shortly
The full film is available on DVD (hence my removal of the above extract in couple of days time) and I urge everyone who is not knowledgeable of the most prolific industrial film unit in Britain to collect some or all of the DVD collections.
Forward to First Principles is on Volume 4 of the nine available 2- disc sets and I recommend buying it from Moviemail for a hearty discount....
Lovely shot of a Crosti coming round the curve at Ambergate.
What I really found interesting was the attire of the students and lecturers - a
different world nowadays.
Also liked the comments by the driver at the end of the Chellaston clip. There
was palpable relief in his voice when he stopped the wheelslip; "everything's
OK".
Thanks again Nick.
Regards,
Peter
Brought back happy memories! (But I must say the editing of the C&HP bit made the journey jump backwards and forwards), and I liked the way Sheep Pasture became Middleton Top! In fact I suspect the beam engine was Middleton Top as the winding wheel was never engaged in the film sequence, and I think Sheep Pasture had been electrified by then.
Can I get these DVD's overseas?
Malcolm
To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com From: wheaty@... Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:33:53 +0000 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] Re: Melbourne Military Railway
On 21 Nov 2009, at 19:10, ptrkaz wrote:
> --- In derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, Nick Wheat <wheaty@...>
> wrote:
> > Perhaps all this talk of Chellaston Jct. to Ashby is an appropriate
> > time to play a video clip from c.1963 that will be familiar to
> > devotees of British Transport Films.
> > I know it takes the 'wrong' road, but it's a nice approach shot!
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQZWnNej90
> > Nick
>
> Brilliant clip Nick; never seen that before. It really illustrates
> how the much busier and more important line to Stenson Jn has such a
> sharp curve and hence is signalled as the secondary route.
>
> Which film is this from? Is there more on Youtube?
>
The clip is from the British Transport Films production - Forward to
First Principles - filmed to show how modern freight trains (in 1963!)
were moving from pick-up goods to block trains (MGR, Freightliner, etc)
It is half an hour in length and shows some stunning railway history
from all over Britain.
Luckily for us, about a third of the film is of Derbyshire subjects
and I've put a compilation on Youtube (minus the freight train driver)
but this will be removed shortly
The full film is available on DVD (hence my removal of the above
extract in couple of days time) and I urge everyone who is not
knowledgeable of the most prolific industrial film unit in Britain to
collect some or all of the DVD collections.
Forward to First Principles is on Volume 4 of the nine available 2-
disc sets and I recommend buying it from Moviemail for a hearty
discount....
On 21 Nov 2009, at 19:10, ptrkaz wrote:
> --- In derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, Nick Wheat <wheaty@...>
> wrote:
> > Perhaps all this talk of Chellaston Jct. to Ashby is an appropriate
> > time to play a video clip from c.1963 that will be familiar to
> > devotees of British Transport Films.
> > I know it takes the 'wrong' road, but it's a nice approach shot!
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQZWnNej90
> > Nick
>
> Brilliant clip Nick; never seen that before. It really illustrates
> how the much busier and more important line to Stenson Jn has such a
> sharp curve and hence is signalled as the secondary route.
>
> Which film is this from? Is there more on Youtube?
>
The clip is from the British Transport Films production - Forward to
First Principles - filmed to show how modern freight trains (in 1963!)
were moving from pick-up goods to block trains (MGR, Freightliner, etc)
It is half an hour in length and shows some stunning railway history
from all over Britain.
Luckily for us, about a third of the film is of Derbyshire subjects
and I've put a compilation on Youtube (minus the freight train driver)
but this will be removed shortly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRKOzoK82M
Several people on here will know of my passion for BTF productions but
if you wish to learn more, please visit the unofficial website:-
http://www.britishtransportfilms.org.uk
The full film is available on DVD (hence my removal of the above
extract in couple of days time) and I urge everyone who is not
knowledgeable of the most prolific industrial film unit in Britain to
collect some or all of the DVD collections.
Forward to First Principles is on Volume 4 of the nine available 2-
disc sets and I recommend buying it from Moviemail for a hearty
discount....
http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/film/dvd/British-Transport-Films-Vol-4-Reshapi\
ng-British-Railways/
Nick
(not on commission!)
--- In derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, Nick Wheat <wheaty@...> wrote:
> Perhaps all this talk of Chellaston Jct. to Ashby is an appropriate
> time to play a video clip from c.1963 that will be familiar to
> devotees of British Transport Films.
> I know it takes the 'wrong' road, but it's a nice approach shot!
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQZWnNej90
> Nick
Brilliant clip Nick; never seen that before. It really illustrates how the much
busier and more important line to Stenson Jn has such a sharp curve and hence is
signalled as the secondary route.
Which film is this from? Is there more on Youtube?
Thanks,
Peter
Perhaps all this talk of Chellaston Jct. to Ashby is an appropriate
time to play a video clip from c.1963 that will be familiar to
devotees of British Transport Films.
I know it takes the 'wrong' road, but it's a nice approach shot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQZWnNej90
Nick
Apologies for re-opening this thread but, whilst doing the day job today - happened to catch this little gem in the BBC Radio series "Open County" aired at 0600 on Saturday mornings - not much about the rail operation perhaps but a fascinating insight into the activies of the alabaster mines and the massive explosion at Fauld. It is called "The Hanbury Crater"
Hi, Must apologise for my earlier geographical error but coming from the England Scotland border and now living in Sheffield i hope i can be excused. Can anyone give chapter and verse on the explosion.
George 52D
--- On Tue, 17/11/09, Dave Harris <dave@crepello.net> wrote:
From: Dave Harris <dave@crepello.net> Subject: [derbyshirerailways] Scropton Sidings To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, nsrail@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 14:46
[Cross-posted to NSR Study Group as this continuing thread from Derbyshire Railways may invite comment from over there?]
Hi all,
At the risk of trying out-pedant a pedant (no offence Mike, of course!)...
There were actually two narrow-gauge railways connecting the alabaster mines at Fauld with the NSR at Scropton. The earlier formation is the one which ended at Scropton Sidings that Mike refers to. From there it ran east, crossing the road behind the signal box (much of its formation is still extant and visible on Google maps satellite view). After about a quarter of a mile it turned south-west, running in a straight line to Fauld Lane and then into the hillside where Messrs. Statons had their mine.
The narrow gauge line which served the RAF bomb store was about half a mile to the east and ran due north/south in a much more direct route to the main line. Again this is still visible on Google Maps, running south from the area of Mill Lane, Scropton.
Why this is important from a railway perspective is that the Air Ministry had their own private siding, controlled by Fauld Sidings signal box opened on 22nd January 1939. Apart from anything else, this allowed the secret Air Ministry traffic and the still operational alabaster mine to co-exist - the latter traffic going out via Scropton sidings.
At some point, the rail-borne alabaster traffic was transferred to Tutbury Yard with the well-knowen branch crossing the River Dove there. I'm somewhat hazy on when the alabaster traffic to Scropton dried-up but a clue may be the abolition of Scropton Yard box on 16OCT1955. Fauld Sidings signal box wasn't formally abolished until 15AUG1971, but had been permanently switched out for years up to that date. In fact, the story goes that when the box was visited to formally close it, the stairs collapsed and had to be rebuilt before the necessary work could be carried out!
There is certainly an interesting history of the railways in this corner of Derbyshire waiting to be researched/written. All of which is a long way from Neil F-L's fascinating original post, so I've taken the liberty of changing the thread title.
Regards to all.
Dave
On 17 Nov 2009, at 10:03, Mike Price wrote:
Hello,
Just to be pedantic Fauld is actually in Staffordshire. The narrow gauge line to Scropton crossed the River Dove which, at this point, is the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
At Scropton the line ran behind the signal box to a loading bank on the east side of the lane controlled by the signal box.
Part of the Fauld site is now a trading estate and the last time I was there (albeit a couple of years ago) some of the rails were still in place and the road crossing through the hedge and trackbed towards Scropton was fairly obvious.
Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways ] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and Ashborne
Hi
Fauld was connected by n.g. line to Scropton, which is about 1.3 miles west of Tutbury, while Harpur Hill is near Buxton, yes there was a big explosion at Fauld.
Where is RAF Faulds i think that was where there was a big wartime munitions explosion in Derbyshire. Is it any where near Harpur Hill.
--- On Mon, 16/11/09, Andrew Sollis (CVMRD) <Andy@...e.co.uk> wrote:
From: Andrew Sollis (CVMRD) <Andy@...e.co.uk> Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways ] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and Ashborne To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 20:12
And the photo you have been sent shows it from the NSR end I think ?
Rather than having gone north to Buxton, would any munitions have gone out via the NSR route to the Churnet Valley line then South to Uttoxeter and Derby ?
Just a thought ?
Andy
-----Original Message----- From: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:derbyshirer ailways@yahoogro ups.com]On Behalf Of Neil Ferguson-Lee Sent: 01 November 2009 22:38 To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways ] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and Ashborne
Noel Ryan, author of the book I mentioned has provided me with a digital copy of the picture of Ashbourne station and yard which I attach here.
Quite fascinating!
Neil
From: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:derbyshirer ailways@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of Neil Ferguson-Lee Sent: 01 November 2009 17:12 To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways ] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and Ashborne
Howard,
The book was published in 2007, so it might not be the one you heard about recently.
Neil
From: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:derbyshirer ailways@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of Howard Sprenger Sent: 01 November 2009 17:01 To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and Ashborne
Thanks Neil...
> Yesterday afternoon, I called-by the Brierlow Bar bookstore and picked-up a > fascinating volume on the RAF station at Ashbourne and its outstation at > Darley Moor.
Is this a new book? I seem to remember seeing one mentioned recently, so I assume it's just come out. Ooh - and I notice Christmas is just around the corner...
> As a final point, I wonder if the closure of the RAF station in 1954 had any > connection whatsoever with the end of passenger services to Ashbourne that > year.
Hmm - will have to find my notes, but I don't remember this being suggested before - quite a coincidence, though, and the closure of the RAF station would surely have had some effect.
Views of bridges found on the half mile between the start of the trail at Chellaston East Jn and the River Trent. I'm still looking for a good side view of the Trent bridge.
There are two viaducts at Chellaston Junction and like Nigel I have been searching without success for photos although there are birdseye views; the bridge over T&M survives. These are my notes on the line. A timetable from the July 1922 Bradshaw, part of a 1954 1-ins OS map amd an extract from volume 2 of the Midland Distance Diagrams are attached. Photos and birdseye views to follow. An interesting feature on Chellaston Junction http://www.derby-signalling.org.uk/ChellJn.htm includes considerable detail about the Melbourne Military Railway.
Ralph
mrMELBOURNE (CHELLASTON EAST JN) - ASHBY- DE-LA-ZOUCH(11¾ miles)
Closed(Pass) 22.9.1930. (Gds)21.5.1980 Chellaston East Jn - Worthington, 27.11.1968 Worthington - New LountColliery; 11.12.1949 New Lount Colliery - Ashby..
StationsMelbourne*; Wilson (opened 1869 closed 1871); Tonge renamed Tonge & Breedon 1897*; Worthington*; Ashby (opened 1849, branch platform opened 1874) r/n 1925 Ashby-de-la-Zouch closed 1964). *reopened by the army 1939-1945.
History
When the Midland Railway bought the Ashby canal in 1846 it included the Ticknall Tramway. One branch of this tramway served Cloud Hill and the Midland eventually decided to rebuild the section from Worthington to Ashby as an extension to its Derby - Worthington branch with the new line opening in 1874. During World War ll the Chellaston Jn - Ashby section was taken over by the army as the Melbourne Military Railway. Passenger trains were withdrawn in 1930 butAshby remained open on the Leicester - Burton line until 1964.The northern section of this line remained open until 1980 to serve Cloud Hill Quarry and Limeworks with track lifting completed by August 1987.
Route - when open
From Chellaston East Junction (SK387283) the linediverged from the Stenson Jn - Trent Jn lineand curved south crossing both the Trent & MerseyCanal and the River Trent then passing to the west of the huge yard at King's Newton built by the army during WWll. From Melbourne it meandered across country at first SE to Tonge & Breedon where it passed under the Nottingham - Ashby road (A453) and then south to Coleorton Jn. From there it headed west to Old Parks Junction where the army built a platform and finally SW through a tunnel to bridge the B5006 before level crossings carried it over the A50 and the B5003 into the branch platform at Ashby-de-la-Zouch station (SK353162). The twists and turns of the track beyond Worthington were largely attributable to the fact the this was the original tramway section.
Route - today
Between Chellaston East Junction and Worthington it has been converted into a cycletrack known as the Cloud Trail,part of NCN 6.There is a slight detour at Breedon where the A42 dual carriageway severed the formation. At Coleorton Junction about three quarters of a mile is a road but beyond Lount few traces of the alignment remain.
Relics
StationsMelbourne residence; Wilson no trace; Tonge & Breedon station converted into a bungalow, platform survives; Worthington station house residence;Ashby-de-la-Zouch the listed classical Greek style station building complete with fluted Doric columns was converted into office accommodation in 1977; crossing houseresidence.
Bridgesplate girder bridge No 11A over Trent & Mersey Canal in place and part of trail; Six-span masonry viaduct between canal and river; Trent Bridge at Melbourne six girder spans listed grade ll - part of trail; the piers of Station Road bridge, Melbourne were strengthened in 2002; most other bridges Chellaston Jn - Worthington in place.
TunnelsAshby-de-la-Zouch 308 yds was on the original tramway north of Ashby and reportedly one of the earliest tunnels in the country. It was it rebored for standard gauge use, SW approach infilled both portals bricked up. The A511, a new road, now passes over the top.
Can anyone tell me what has happened to the Trent Crossing, it appears to be extant from aerial photos, and the crossing of the Trent & MerseyCanal seems to have totally disappeared. Here's the dialogue from two articles written in Railway Magazine of 1946 & 1947. and an attached map of the course of the line.
> Perhaps a conclusion to your trilogy Howard; Wirksworth, Ripley and now the
line to
> Melbourne and Ashby. After all, they used the same "railmotors" in MR days.
Well - it's certainly a thought, Peter. And as you say, the railmotors provide
a
nice link. Trouble is I'd have to start from scratch - I've got nothing
whatsoever
on this line. I've rather lost touch with Godfrey (and he must be getting on in
years now), but I'm sure his work would make a good start. It would be a bit
daunting going over all the ground that he's already covered (and knowing that
he
already had!).
> I'll always remember walking around Worthington on a glorious June day a year
or
> two before they lifted the track. It was like going back in time and finding a
> forgotton railway. Must dig out the slides I took sometime.
I seem to remember doing something similar myself one summer's evening. It's an
interesting part of the world - quite different from the county north of Derby.
Cheers, Howard.
Perhaps a conclusion to your trilogy Howard; Wirksworth, Ripley and now the line
to Melbourne and Ashby. After all, they used the same "railmotors" in MR days.
I'll always remember walking around Worthington on a glorious June day a year or
two before they lifted the track. It was like going back in time and finding a
forgotton railway. Must dig out the slides I took sometime.
Regards,
Peter
> Another article I've found which may produce some comment or interest.
Perhaps
> Howard, might have something further to add to this article.
Well... not sure really... I could quote at length from the book my Dad and his
colleagues wrote for Oakwood many years ago, but where to begin...?
What has never been produced, of course, is a proper history of the branch (ie -
other than the military railway era)... hmm...
Many years ago, Godfrey Yeomans produced a privately-published history, and I
don't
know why he never tried to get it published. I had a copy on loan from him for
a
while, and although it was a little rough around the edges, it could have been
knocked into shape.
> Can anyone tell me what has happened to the Trent Crossing, it appears to be
extant
> from aerial photos, and the crossing of the Trent & Mersey Canal seems to have
> totally disappeared.
Can't help with that, I'm afraid - someone more local maybe...
Thanks for the article, though, Nigel.
Howard.
Another article I've found which may produce some comment or interest. Perhaps Howard, might have something further to add to this article.
Â
Can anyone tell me what has happened to the Trent Crossing, it appears to be extant from aerial photos, and the crossing of the Trent & Mersey Canal seems to have totally disappeared.
Â
Here's the dialogue from two articles written in Railway Magazine of 1946 & 1947. and an attached map of the course of the line.
Â
Nigel
Â
The Melbourne Military Railway
Â
We are now able to record that the Chellaston Junction to Ashby branch of the L.M.S.R. became the Melbourne Military Railway from midnight on 19th November 1939, as an alternative training centre to Longmoor. There was not a passenger service in operation on this branch, but the ordinary goods service at first continued to be worked by L.M.S.R. locomotives and crews. As permanent way alterations were frequently taking place, pilot drivers and guards were provided by the military authorities. All the commercial handling, and cartage work was performed by L.M.S.R. staff. Signalling, shunting, etc., was carried out by W.D. staff.  Subsequently, the military took over the working of all traffic on the branch.  Exchange sidings were laid in at Chellaston Quarry and traffic was worked forward from that point by military trains and personnel.  Six L.M.S.R. Class 1F tank engines of the 0-6-0 type were loaded to the Melbourne Military Railway from 1940 to 1945; these have now been returned to L.M.S.R. service. They were; at first No΄s. 1666; 1708, 1751, 1788, 1839, and 1890. No. 1839 was withdrawn after working on the M.M.R. and replaced by No. 1773. In addition, 16 other steam locomotives were loaned to the Melbourne Military Railway for varying periods, as well as a 350 h.p. diesel unit. Some dual-fitted (Westinghouse and vacuum brake) passenger vehicles, goods wagons, and goods brake vans were also lent to the M.M.R. The branch was returned to the L.M.S.R. on 1st January 1945.
Â
As shown in the accompanying sketch map the railway in question was the section of the LMSR from Chellaston Junction to Ashby-de-la-Zouch on 19th November 1939 after it had been decided to establish a second R.E. Railway Training Centre. As the L.M.S.R. was closing its staff college at Derby, the military authorities were able also to obtain use of this well-equipped establishment for training. The branch is 10¾ miles long, and the military took over the civil traffic working commitment in addition to introducing a regular service of trains to simulate the working conditions of a military line of communication. Early in 1940 a bridging school was established on the Melbourne side of the Trent Bridge, and this was one of the most interesting developments of the railway. Â
Â
Rehabilitation of the branch to its former civil state was begun in the autumn of 1944 and the line was handed back to the L.M.S.R. on 1st January 1945.
Â
Â
Â
Further details were given in The Railway Gazette of February 15th 1946.
The images reminded me - in Feb 1963 I was working in the C&W Works and was on the gang that tested DMU's - several times that month we went up to Wirksworth, and spent the day running backwards and forwards to Gorsey Bank.
Another memory of the line was years later after I moved to Bole Hill.
On weekends - usually Sundays - I worked as casual labour on the P Way Gang from Derby (P. Way were always short of manpower, overtime was non-existent in the CM&EE Offices, and although we got paid as lower grade workers there was plenty of opportunity for overtime and night shift premiums on the weekend relaying jobs).
One weekend we installed a second hand crossover near the top of Wirksworth Yard - in the cutting, the problem was that the site had a slight curve but the x - over was straight. We got it in but it was a hard struggle, made worse by the failure of the crane. I had told my wife I wouldn't be late - after all I was only a mile away, - not like Leicester or towards Elford, but I was late - good for pay, but not for marital relationships (no cell phones then!) I seem to remember we had a class 45 as the loco, I don't think I ever saw another one up there. After I left BR I often saw the daily trains as I met my kids from the school beside the station, and they were usually Class 25.
Malcolm
To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com; Bygone_Lines_UK@... From: neil@... Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:52:08 +0000 Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] Wirksworth branch
Just to let you know that I
have updated our gallery which depicts work being undertaken at Duffield on the
Wirksworth Branch. Although there aren’t captions in place just
yet, you will see that the construction of the run-round loop and replacement
of the track in the platform line is well underway and I hope to provide more
images in the next few days.
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Neil
Ferguson-Lee Sent: 09 November 2009 21:09 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] Wirksworth branch
Ralph,
Thank you for pointing-out both the
excellent article in Railway Magazine and the progress made at Duffield.
At present, we are replacing the track from Duffield branch platform to
Duffield tunnel, several hundred yards to the north. In turn, we are in
the process of relaying the branch loop and this will serve as a run-round for
steam services. Work commenced in September and will be completed in
early December.
Once complete, we shall be turning our
attention to restoring the platform, raising it to the correct height and
improving access from the village of Duffield;.
I shall upload images of the work in the
next couple of days and let the group know when it is available to views.
Neil Ferguson-Lee
WyvernRail plc
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com [mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Ralph Rawlinson Sent: 09 November 2009 17:15 To: Bygone Lines; Derbyshire Railways Subject: [derbyshirerailways] Wirksworth branch
I know that a number of
members of both Derbyshire Railways and Bygone Lines are associated with
the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and some will already have seen the
feature by Chris Milner in the latest (December) edition of the Railway
Magazine. The item is entitled 'The best of both worlds' which, for those not
in the picture, refers to the fact that it is used by Networks Rail for
testing on track machines during the week and then reverts to steam and
heritage use at the weekends. What interested me most, however, was his
picture of the branch platform of Duffield following vegetation clearance.
Just to let you know that I
have updated our gallery which depicts work being undertaken at Duffield on the
Wirksworth Branch. Although there aren’t captions in place just
yet, you will see that the construction of the run-round loop and replacement
of the track in the platform line is well underway and I hope to provide more
images in the next few days.
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Neil
Ferguson-Lee Sent: 09 November 2009 21:09 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] Wirksworth branch
Ralph,
Thank you for pointing-out both the
excellent article in Railway Magazine and the progress made at Duffield.
At present, we are replacing the track from Duffield branch platform to
Duffield tunnel, several hundred yards to the north. In turn, we are in
the process of relaying the branch loop and this will serve as a run-round for
steam services. Work commenced in September and will be completed in
early December.
Once complete, we shall be turning our
attention to restoring the platform, raising it to the correct height and
improving access from the village of Duffield;.
I shall upload images of the work in the
next couple of days and let the group know when it is available to views.
Neil Ferguson-Lee
WyvernRail plc
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com [mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Ralph Rawlinson Sent: 09 November 2009 17:15 To: Bygone Lines; Derbyshire Railways Subject: [derbyshirerailways] Wirksworth branch
I know that a number of
members of both Derbyshire Railways and Bygone Lines are associated with
the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and some will already have seen the
feature by Chris Milner in the latest (December) edition of the Railway
Magazine. The item is entitled 'The best of both worlds' which, for those not
in the picture, refers to the fact that it is used by Networks Rail for
testing on track machines during the week and then reverts to steam and
heritage use at the weekends. What interested me most, however, was his
picture of the branch platform of Duffield following vegetation clearance.
Apologies to Dave but I
thought I’d just keep the Ashbourne thread live just for this reply which
is a couple of days overdue.
Yes, the photo is taken from
the NSR end and the box is the one seen on page 115 of the Foxline book (bible,
really – it’s THE book on the line).
I think my original posting
might have been a bit ambiguous. The munitions originated at Harpur Hill
but after checking then departed Ashbourne direct to their destination.
Woolwich Arsenal was mentioned as one location and it raises the question as to
which direction the trains took when arriving at Uttoxeter: either turning left
and picking-up the Midland Main Line at Stenson Junction after running via
Castle Donnington or, until March 1951, taking the ex-GN route from Uttoxeter (Bromshall
Jn) to Stafford.
Reading the thread concerning
Scroption Junction, it seems that we might have opened-up a whole new subject
area concerning military traffic.
Kind regards,
Neil
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrew Sollis
(CVMRD) Sent: 16 November 2009 20:13 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and
Ashborne
And the
photo you have been sent shows it from the NSR end I think ?
Rather than
having gone north to Buxton, would any munitions have gone out via the NSR
route to the Churnet Valley line then South to Uttoxeter and Derby ?
Just a
thought ?
Andy
-----Original Message----- From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com [mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com]On
Behalf Of Neil Ferguson-Lee Sent: 01 November 2009 22:38 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and
Ashborne
Noel Ryan, author of the book I
mentioned has provided me with a digital copy of the picture of Ashbourne
station and yard which I attach here.
Quite fascinating!
Neil
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com [mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Neil Ferguson-Lee Sent: 01 November 2009 17:12 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [derbyshirerailways] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and
Ashborne
Howard,
The book was published in 2007, so it
might not be the one you heard about recently.
Neil
From: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com [mailto:derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Howard Sprenger Sent: 01 November 2009 17:01 To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] RAF Activities at Harpur Hill and
Ashborne
Thanks Neil...
> Yesterday afternoon, I called-by the Brierlow Bar bookstore and picked-up
a
> fascinating volume on the RAF station at Ashbourne and its outstation at
> Darley Moor.
Is this a new book? I seem to remember seeing one mentioned recently, so I
assume
it's just come out. Ooh - and I notice Christmas is just around the corner...
> As a final point, I wonder if the closure of the RAF station in 1954 had
any
> connection whatsoever with the end of passenger services to Ashbourne that
> year.
Hmm - will have to find my notes, but I don't remember this being suggested
before -
quite a coincidence, though, and the closure of the RAF station would surely
have had
some effect.
--- In derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com, Ian Castledine <romicace@...> wrote:
> I had a chat with an old guy this pm and he says coke occasionally went to
Machester with a Garratt, but he also told me latterley the garratts worked to
York with ironstone from the Emids Quarries... there is a pic in locos
illustrated of one at Church Fenton.
Yes, they did work to York too, but would've usually travelled via the "Old
Road" through Barrow Hill to avoid Sheffield.
Regards,
Peter
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, Ian Castledine <romicace@...> wrote:
From: Ian Castledine <romicace@...> Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 20:04
No, the wheels were flanged and the rails were an edge... it is often forgotten that edge rails were about before plates being wooden originally. Curr and Outram being the big protagonists of L section plates, some lines even converting to their system.
The edge rails available at that time varied in length, I have uploaded a diagram showing various types of iron rails around at that era in use in Britain. some edge rails seen in quarrying in Wales are superbly light. My guess that given the era the aston line was built it would have used stone blocks...
regs IANCC
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@btinternet .com> To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:45:15 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Does that mean the wheels of the trucks were unflanged and ran along angle iron type rails?
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, Ian Castledine <romicace@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
From: Ian Castledine <romicace@yahoo. co.uk> Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 19:40
Bertram Baxter describes the line in his 'Stone Blocks and Iron Rails' as being built with 'e' meaning edge rails and as opening in 1813, Line owned by Samuel Storey. Closed circa 1825 but re-opened "to a much later date (within living memory)". The tramway atlas also records 1812 to 1825.
There is evidence of some plaster quarrying in the 17th century by John Hunt, (with reference to a plaister delfe) on 1630, and in the early 18th century, when no doubt the gypsum was used locally for white washing and flooring, but it was only at the end of the 18th century that it seems to have been quarried in commercial quantities. Richard Brown and sons in 1796 announced the opening of an alabaster quarry near Shardlow, probably the pits shown on the Holden estate map of 1795. Humphrey Moore, a Shardlow merchant, was paying a rent on the pits in 1809 and he built a railway from the plaster pits on Aston Hill to the canal near Hicken’s bridge. Charles Holden spent £500 building it for Moore acting on Holden’s behalf. The railway was ‘now making’ in 1811 and was probably completed and opened in 1812. Farey records that Samual Storey was working the pits in 1811 and he was probably the first leaser
of the railway. John Brookhouse of Derby ‘plasterer’ and Joseph Johnson, coal dealer, leased both pits and tramway in 1818, but by 1825, the closed line was being offered for sale. It seems to have been revived and extended to other pits nearer Aston, and finally closed sometime before the First World War. In its later days, trucks were horse drawn along the line to a small cottage near the Shardlow Road called the ‘Whey house’ where the trucks were weighed before continuing to the Wharf.
Hope that helps,
Regards Ian
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@btinternet .com> To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:07:09 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Thanks for prompt link.
George
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> wrote:
From: ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> Subject: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 18:55
I had a chat with an old guy this pm and he says coke occasionally went to Machester with a Garratt, but he also told me latterley the garratts worked to York with ironstone from the Emids Quarries... there is a pic in locos illustrated of one at Church Fenton.
I assume this is the north curve at D&T as the class appeared daily on the south curve working Avenue-Gowhole freights. If this is the north curve, I presume it's a working from Gowhole to one of the Sheffield yards, maybe Grimesthorpe, or perhaps onto Rotherham at
Masboro'.
No, the wheels were flanged and the rails were an edge... it is often forgotten that edge rails were about before plates being wooden originally. Curr and Outram being the big protagonists of L section plates, some lines even converting to their system.
The edge rails available at that time varied in length, I have uploaded a diagram showing various types of iron rails around at that era in use in Britain. some edge rails seen in quarrying in Wales are superbly light. My guess that given the era the aston line was built it would have used stone blocks...
regs IANCC
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@...> To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:45:15 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Does that mean the wheels of the trucks were unflanged and ran along angle iron type rails?
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, Ian Castledine <romicace@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
From: Ian Castledine <romicace@yahoo. co.uk> Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 19:40
Bertram Baxter describes the line in his 'Stone Blocks and Iron Rails' as being built with 'e' meaning edge rails and as opening in 1813, Line owned by Samuel Storey. Closed circa 1825 but re-opened "to a much later date (within living memory)". The tramway atlas also records 1812 to 1825.
There is evidence of some plaster quarrying in the 17th century by John Hunt, (with reference to a plaister delfe) on 1630, and in the early 18th century, when no doubt the gypsum was used locally for white washing and flooring, but it was only at the end of the 18th century that it seems to have been quarried in commercial quantities. Richard Brown and sons in 1796 announced the opening of an alabaster quarry near Shardlow, probably the pits shown on the Holden estate map of 1795. Humphrey Moore, a Shardlow merchant, was paying a rent on the pits in 1809 and he built a railway from the plaster pits on Aston Hill to the canal near Hicken’s bridge. Charles Holden spent £500 building it for Moore acting on Holden’s behalf. The railway was ‘now making’ in 1811 and was probably completed and opened in 1812. Farey records that Samual Storey was working the pits in 1811 and he was probably the first leaser
of the railway. John Brookhouse of Derby ‘plasterer’ and Joseph Johnson, coal dealer, leased both pits and tramway in 1818, but by 1825, the closed line was being offered for sale. It seems to have been revived and extended to other pits nearer Aston, and finally closed sometime before the First World War. In its later days, trucks were horse drawn along the line to a small cottage near the Shardlow Road called the ‘Whey house’ where the trucks were weighed before continuing to the Wharf.
Hope that helps,
Regards Ian
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@btinternet .com> To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:07:09 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Thanks for prompt link.
George
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> wrote:
From: ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> Subject: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 18:55
Bertram Baxter describes the line in his 'Stone Blocks and Iron Rails' as being built with 'e' meaning edge rails and as opening in 1813, Line owned by Samuel Storey. Closed circa 1825 but re-opened "to a much later date (within living memory)". The tramway atlas also records 1812 to 1825.
There is evidence of some plaster quarrying in the 17th century by John Hunt, (with reference to a plaister delfe) on 1630, and in the early 18th century, when no doubt the gypsum was used locally for white washing and flooring, but it was only at the end of the 18th century that it seems to have been quarried in commercial quantities. Richard Brown and sons in 1796 announced the opening of an alabaster quarry near Shardlow, probably the pits shown on the Holden estate map of 1795. Humphrey Moore, a Shardlow merchant, was paying a rent on the pits in 1809 and he built a railway from the plaster pits on Aston Hill to the canal near Hicken’s bridge. Charles Holden spent £500 building it for Moore acting on Holden’s behalf. The railway was ‘now making’ in 1811 and was probably completed and opened in 1812. Farey records that Samual Storey was working the pits in 1811 and he was probably the first leaser
of the railway. John Brookhouse of Derby ‘plasterer’ and Joseph Johnson, coal dealer, leased both pits and tramway in 1818, but by 1825, the closed line was being offered for sale. It seems to have been revived and extended to other pits nearer Aston, and finally closed sometime before the First World War. In its later days, trucks were horse drawn along the line to a small cottage near the Shardlow Road called the ‘Whey house’ where the trucks were weighed before continuing to the Wharf.
Hope that helps,
Regards Ian
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@btinternet .com> To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:07:09 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Thanks for prompt link.
George
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> wrote:
From: ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> Subject: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 18:55
Bertram Baxter describes the line in his 'Stone Blocks and Iron Rails' as being built with 'e' meaning edge rails and as opening in 1813, Line owned by Samuel Storey. Closed circa 1825 but re-opened "to a much later date (within living memory)". The tramway atlas also records 1812 to 1825.
There is evidence of some plaster quarrying in the 17th century by John Hunt, (with reference to a plaister delfe) on 1630, and in the early 18th century, when no doubt the gypsum was used locally for white washing and flooring, but it was only at the end of the 18th century that it seems to have been quarried in commercial quantities. Richard Brown and sons in 1796 announced the opening of an alabaster quarry near Shardlow, probably the pits shown on the Holden estate map of 1795. Humphrey Moore, a Shardlow merchant, was paying a rent on the pits in 1809 and he built a railway from the plaster pits on Aston Hill to the canal near Hicken’s bridge. Charles Holden spent £500 building it for Moore acting on Holden’s behalf. The railway was ‘now making’ in 1811 and was probably completed and opened in 1812. Farey records that Samual Storey was working the pits in 1811 and he was probably the first leaser
of the railway. John Brookhouse of Derby ‘plasterer’ and Joseph Johnson, coal dealer, leased both pits and tramway in 1818, but by 1825, the closed line was being offered for sale. It seems to have been revived and extended to other pits nearer Aston, and finally closed sometime before the First World War. In its later days, trucks were horse drawn along the line to a small cottage near the Shardlow Road called the ‘Whey house’ where the trucks were weighed before continuing to the Wharf.
Hope that helps,
Regards Ian
From: G MOFFAT <gdmoffat@...> To: derbyshirerailways@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wed, 18 November, 2009 19:07:09 Subject: Re: [derbyshirerailways] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston-
Thanks for prompt link.
George
--- On Wed, 18/11/09, ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> wrote:
From: ptrkaz <ptrkaz@...> Subject: [derbyshirerailways ] Re: derbyshirerailways] Mineral lines near Aston- To: derbyshirerailways@ yahoogroups. com Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 18:55
George,
The website is http://www.astonontrenthistory.org.uk
I've emailed the Society to see if they have any more info. I'll look through
The Derby Mercury and see if they mention the line.
I remember talking with someone years ago who lived at Gangway House (or it
might've been cottage), near where the wharf would've been.
Regards,
Peter