Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Derbyshire. Its operations are based at Wirksworth station. It is currently planned to extend the railway along the former Midland Railway branch line which joined the main-line at Duffield.
| Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wirksworth Station as it is today. | |
| Locale | Derbyshire, England |
| Terminus | Ravenstor Duffield |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Wirksworth branch |
| Built by | Midland Railway |
| Original gauge | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Track gauge/data' not found. |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | WyvernRail plc |
| Stations | 5 (to be 6) |
| Length | 9 miles (14 km) |
| Preserved gauge | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Track gauge/data' not found. |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1867 |
| Closed to passengers | 1947 |
| Closed | 1964 (freight) 1989 (completely) |
| Preservation history | |
| 1992 | WyvernRail is formed |
| 1996 | Light Rail order granted |
| 1997 | Derby and Wirksworth Railway Association is formed (later to become EVR) |
| 2000 | Volunteers start clearing vegetation from the line |
| 1 October 2002 | Wirksworth re-opens and its passenger trains begin |
| 2003 | WyvernRail and Network Rail agree fifteen-year lease-purchase deal |
| 2004 | Gorsey bank reopens and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value)., passenger trains begin |
| 1 September 2005 | Ravenstor opens and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value). passenger trains on 1 in 27 (3.7 %) incline (of the same name) begin |
| 2007 | Iridgehay level crossing reinstated and later reopened |
| 8 March 2008 | Idridgehay reopens and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value). passenger trains begin |
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When complete it will be one of the few Heritage Railways that operates a whole branch line in its original form and entire length.
The line is operated by diesel locomotives, which haul former multiple unit trailer cars and also uses heritage diesel multiple units.
History
Origin
The "Wirksworth Branch" was the product of early nineteenth century railway rivalry. Since 1835 Wirksworth's citizens had been promoting the idea for a branch line from the North Midland Railway (later the Midland Railway) at Duffield. The Midland was initially uninterested, but then realised that the branch could be extended to Rowsley. This was difficult, but the branch could avoid the section from Ambergate, on its Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, which was shared with its rival the London and North Western Railway.[1]
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Media
Derby Lightweight, no. 79900, operating on the line on which she was originally tested when new some 55 years earlier, fully restored to passenger carrying standard from being former test car IRIS. The unit is now a unique example of a Derby Lightweight single car unit.
Class 122, no. 55006, operating away from home, at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway on 15 October 2004, whilst taking part in the Railcar 50 event. This unit is painted in original BR Green livery, and is usually based at Wirksworth.
The route of the railway, running north from Duffield, via Wirksworth, to Ravenstor
Wirksworth Station, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Idridgehay station
Metropolitan-Cammell Class 101's wait at Shottle station on line test-runs as the route is prepared for opening to the general public in 2010.
Hazelwood railway station*Original description: The former Hazelwood Station
A view of Duffield station in 2009 showing both the mainline platforms and the branch platform for Wirksworth
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References
- ↑ Sprenger, Howard (2004). The Wirksworth Branch. London: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-625-6.
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