News from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

[nferguso]

Good evening.

Readers might be interested to learn that Shottle station, between Duffield and Wirksworth will reopen (permanently) on Saturday 9th August - the first day of our DMU gala.

The platform was resurfaced today and represents the result of 18 months extremely hard work by a dedicated team who rebuilt the platform edge, added drainage and raised the level of the platform.

Note also the loop in the foreground: this is scheduled to open as a passing loop and we plan to open a second platform next year.

Below is an image of Shottle in 1996, four years before we started to clear the line.

Shottle is located on the Belper to Ashbourne road and benefits from nice pubs within a few minutes walk of the station, while the walking round the station is extremely pleasant.

 

[yorkie]

I once used this railway to get to the High Peak trail. It goes very close, and only leaves a very short climb to reach the trail. I was impressed. I'd like to go again some time.

Unlike so many other lines, it goes directly from a National Rail station to places actually worth going to! What more could you want?

And, unlike Peak Rail, the trains actually connected!

I'd recommend a visit.

 

[steevp]

Well done to all the volunteers - looks a great improvement! Ecclesbourne is on my list of lines to visit - looks like sooner than later is of the order.

 

[Johnny_w]

Looking forward to my second visit this year on the 9th August.

I know that the infrastructure is not yet in place to allow two trains... so will there be an oppoiunity to jump off the train and have a look around before continuing?

JW

 

[nferguso]

I once used this railway to get to the High Peak trail. It goes very close, and only leaves a very short climb to reach the trail. I was impressed. I'd like to go again some time.

Unlike so many other lines, it goes directly from a National Rail station to places actually worth going to! What more could you want?

And, unlike Peak Rail, the trains actually connected!

I'd recommend a visit.

Not only that but you can buy through tickets from the national rail network (thank you East Midlands Trains), we have a joint rail and road ticket with Trent Barton Buses and we are the ONLY private railway to have our times on nationalrail.co.uk!

Well done to all the volunteers - looks a great improvement! Ecclesbourne is on my list of lines to visit - looks like sooner than later is of the order.

Looking forward to my second visit this year on the 9th August.

I know that the infrastructure is not yet in place to allow two trains... so will there be an oppoiunity to jump off the train and have a look around before continuing?

JW

Thanks you for your kind words: our trains will only stop there for about a minute, but how about taking an hour or two out and enjoy one of the two excellent pub/restaurants nearby (and a third if you like a bracing uphill walk) or even a stroll in the fields parallel to the railway?

Meanwhile, three shots from today by my colleague Richard Buckby:

Neil Ferguson-Lee

 

[johnnychips]

Always love visiting the EVR. Has your website got details of the pubs? - sounds a great idea for a Sunday afternoon.

Congratulations on your efforts.

 

[High Dyke]

Always love visiting the EVR. Has your website got details of the pubs? - sounds a great idea for a Sunday afternoon.

Congratulations on your efforts.

May i recommend using What Pub? http://whatpub.com/

Search for 'Shottle'.

The nearest pub to Shottle Station seems to be The Railway:

http://whatpub.com/pubs/AMV/417/railway-cowers-lane

 

[gazthomas]

Great job guys

 

[MrCub]

I'm visiting in mid-August. Very much looking forward to it and appreciating all the amazing work. Volunteers on heritage and restored lines really do breathtaking work. Thank you for making it possible

 

[Wyvern]

The nearest pub to Shottle Station seems to be The Railway:

http://whatpub.com/pubs/AMV/417/railway-cowers-lane

My daughter tells me that the Railway is extremely popular so if you want a meal it might be worth phoning beforehand to, possibly, book.

The Cross Keys in the other direction up the hill also has a fantastic reputation for beer. I dont know if they still serve in a jug straight from the barrel.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Out of the three pubs I'd say that the Tiger is the nicest. And from the beer garden you have lovely views over to Wirksworth. However it is the furthest walk from the station!

It's also worth mentioning that Shottle has a couple of sidings including one which would have been in the original goods yard. If the EVR ever got round to running demonstration freights this would be a great place for pick up goods style shunting!

Finally, for anyone getting off at Idridgehay if you don't mind a bit of a trek the Barley Mow at Kirk Ireton is fantastic. The beer selection is fantastic and entering the pub is an experience in itself!

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Is it convenient for reaching the Barley Mow at Kirk Ireton ?

 

[nferguso]

Thank you all for your replies: it's marvellous to receive so many positive comments.

Important stuff first: ale.

Here is a link to the Destination Wirksworth Real Ale Guide (here). Its a couple of years old and needs an update from me: the Black Swan in Idridgehay has closed in the meantime.

Regarding the Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton, it's closest to Idridgehay station although I'd suggest it's probably an hour's walk from there. Well worth the effort though.

Finally, a couple of photographs of a test train that we ran last Thursday evening from Wirksworth to Idridgehay. A tempting glimpse of services in future perhaps?

More to follow as we approach the big day on the 9th.

Kind regards,

Neil

 

[noddy1878]

Need to try and visit the line again in August. My father in law lives bang in the centre of Wirksworth so I know the area well. Great place and as mentioned some great pubs in the surrounding villages.

 

[nferguso]

An update for you all.

Shottle Station reopened last Saturday, 9th August to a very jolly crowd and with the local BBC TV news crew in attendance.

The ceremony was conducted by Hon. Richard Curzon (of Kedleston Hall) and afterwards we all went to the 'Railway Inn' nearby, where the proprietors had kindly laid-on coffee and biscuits.

The station all ready for the festivities to begin:

Yours truly helps Richard cut the ceremonial ribbon:

The delightfully busy platform with the first train. The nice thing to see was the number of people who live locally who turned-up to see the event:

Richard Curzon blows the whistle...

The first train departs for Duffield.

That evening, an eight-car fish & chips special train passed through.

Finally, yesterday I visited the Travel Centre at St. Pancras station and was delighted to see our poster taking pride of place:

Probably one of the proudest moments of my life to see a poster for our little line and town that had faded from the railways' consciousness decades before on display at one of the busiest stations in the country!