Ashbourne Line - Construction

Construction

Buxton station having been built as a terminus facing north it was first necessary to proceed around a tight 180 degree curve over Hogshaw Viaduct, with a gradient as steep as 1 in 62, to the station at Higher Buxton. On leaving the town the line passed over Dukes Drive Viaduct, and then climbed steadily at 1 in 62 to Beswick's Sidings. The gradient eased from there to Hindlow, where the line joined the CHPR. It then climbed once more at 1 in 60 to the summit of the line at Dowlow, a height of 1260 feet above sea level, making it the highest public line in England at that time. This section still exists, serving various lime works at Hindlow and Dowlow.

From there the line fell at 1 in 60 to Hurdlow (for Longnor and Monyash), but then the gradient eased considerably to Parsley Hay, where it left the CH&PR. From there to Ashbourne the line was single and although the line was initially fairly level it included a number of tight curves. The next stop was Hartington, where after about a couple of miles the line began to fall steeply again at 1 in 60 through Alsop en le Dale, Tissington, Fenny Bentley, where there was a goods depot, and Thorpe Cloud, and finally through a tunnel to Ashbourne.

It can be seen that the gradients and curves meant that it was always a difficult line to work, particularly during winter when it was exposed to the elements on the high moors. By contrast, the line from Ashbourne southwards was relatively easy, following river valleys as it did, first the Henmore Brook and then the River Dove.