A lot has changed since I last did this trip in 2008. The roof at Derby Station is finished, leaving a brighter and slightly breezier concourse - and of course, at last, Peak Rail is reconnected to the national network at Matlock. With the first trains running a couple of weeks back, and the timetable now regularly serving the main station rather than the slightly remote Riverside terminus, I decided it was time to explore the line at last. Set out early, in no small part due to the need to get cheap tickets. I'd left booking this trip rather late, and thus instead of the through train at 07:30 I went for a change at Birmingham from the familiar 07:00. This meant time to breakfast and surprisingly a more leisurely start to the day in some ways. I'd also learned that there was to be a fairly large demonstration in Derby today about the decision to overlook Bombardier in favour of Siemens to build Thameslink units. I have mixed feelings about this one - and I didn't really want to crash into the demo, but happily the 08:49 unit from Birmingham was quiet, despite the presence of the strange chap who I often end up competing for a seat with! He'd been on the train to Bristol - and I confess my heart sank at the possibility of a confrontation. However, the 07:00 was facing the other way so he didn't bother me at all. He then popped up on this train, disappearing into the crowds at Derby. I wonder where he went? I, however, headed for the 09:50 to Matlock. This was a single car Class 153 a few weeks back I recalled, and it was again today. Decided to flag it if I couldn't get a seat, but did in fact manage to squeeze into a spot. A slightly tight, uncomfortable journey up the branch followed.
At Matlock, did a little shopping in Sainsbury's before heading on to the Peak Rail platform. It seems that I was a little unkind in my assessment three years back, as the supermarket has helped immeasurably in the effort to restore the missing link. Had an early lunch on the platform, hearing that the 11:44 departure for Rowsley South was a little late as "Penyghent" wouldn't start and they'd "...had to get the 31 out". Happy with the substitution I waited with the growing crowd, with 68013 finally steaming in about ten minutes late, with 31270 rumbling away at the Rowsley end of the train. Found a seat, bought a ticket and enjoyed the slow trundle towards the Peak District, wishing that the line still went through to Buxton - or even as far as Bakewell which would afford visitors to Chatsworth with an alternative. Maybe one day. In any case, I enjoyed the rare Class 31 haulage to the terminus before hopping off to get some photographs.
Noting the variety of diesels in varying states of repair in the yard, I opted to stay for a later departure. In the event, the decision was taken to swap a slightly poorly 31270 with 08016, so I got some pictures of the change over, before wandering around the site a little in the sunshine and enjoying a coffee. Finally, the train arrived and the small steam engine took us down the branch again to Matlock, with the Class 08 giving a little assistance too. An interesting little railway, with plenty going on despite it's short length of track. Noted a red-faced huffing steam enthusiast getting upset about not being allowed off the platform end at Matlock too. A ridiculous performance and a rather obvious restriction, given it's Network Rail property down there!
My journey home was leisurely, with breaks for coffee, people-watching and enjoying the sunshine at Derby and Birmingham. Spotted a few banner-carrying protesters, heading quietly and calmly home at Derby and someone being asked to remove a placard from a train window - not because of any dispute as such but because as the Guard put it "...my boss will kill me!". I have a few weeks of these self-organised wanders planned before my next railtour epics, whilst the summer is sometimes busy and a bit fraught, some planning ahead makes for quiet, pleasant trips. Just like this one.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
