Peak Rail - Ongoing Projects

Ongoing Projects

As of December 2011, the structure for the engine shed project was finished externally, with only small internal additions required to some areas, including the workshop. On 1 May, the former Mold Junction turntable was brought back into use at Rowsley South, and was officially opened by Pete Waterman.

Negotiations for the lease of a further mile of trackbed to the north have resulted in the offer of a 99-year lease on the trackbed from Rowsley South to (a proposed Rowsley North station at) Rowsley village and the site of the former station. Discussions regarding access to the Matlock down platform have resulted in an agreed 50-year lease, including the re-connection of the Network Rail and Peak Rail metals. The rails were originally disconnected due to a rearrangement of Network Rail track as a part of other redevelopments in the area south of the present Matlock Riverside station. The Peak Rail/Network Rail track reconnections project is now complete.

In late February 2007, the railway's 'Two-Train Running' project was completed and approved by the HM Railway Inspectorate. Through improvements to infrastructure and signalling, this project allows two trains in steam on the line, utilising a refurbished and extended passing loop at Darley Dale. This enhancement has allowed the working of freight and passenger services on special event days, with multiple passenger services to follow in future operating seasons.

The signalling engineers are currently working on several projects:

1. Token machines between Rowsley south and Church Lane signal box, to allow the locomotive shed at Rowsley to be used to full potential. Only a ground frame remains to be connected to a trap point on these works.
2. Moving the redundant ex Bamford signal box to Rowsley South, to be used initially to control the exits from the sidings and locomotive shed. Then, when the line extends northwards, the track alterations to the north of the site can be incorporated within the signalling needed here. This will replace three ground frames which would need to be altered for the extension works. In the future, the shunt frame could be signalled if required to act as another passing loop signal box to add capacity.
3. Plans for working into Matlock National Rail station are nearly complete. A method of signalling these operations is progressing to its conclusion and will be in place soon. The ex Midland "Luffenham Junction" signal box is being restored for use at Riverside as a shunting frame to control the loop. Structural timberwork is currently being replaced and restored so that it can go into place as a completed unit when needed.