To Buxton via the Midland line

[Philip]

Was wondering whether it is possible to access the present Buxton Station by running from Chinley through Dove Holes and Peak Forest - is there a junction between the old Midland and LNWR lines?

My other question is, would it be worthwhile reopening Buxton Midland Station? Obviously it would be an alternative and probably quicker route to Buxton from Manchester than the current route and what's more it would in theory open up the possibility of direct services to Buxton from the east, like Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

 

[Killingworth]

Was wondering whether it is possible to access the present Buxton Station by running from Chinley through Dove Holes and Peak Forest - is there a junction between the old Midland and LNWR lines?

My other question is, would it be worthwhile reopening Buxton Midland Station? Obviously it would be an alternative and probably quicker route to Buxton from Manchester than the current route and what's more it would in theory open up the possibility of direct services to Buxton from the east, like Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

Methinks you need to read up about Peak Rail and their long running efforts to get the line reopened from Matlock to Buxton - since 1975 only getting from Matlock to Rowsley. See their website at; http://www.peakrail.co.uk/peakrailwayassociation/

For one year only, from July 1987 trains were run from Edale to Cheedale Halt, see; http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/cheedale/ Some of us were encouraged to fund a new bridge in Buxton (Bridge Street Bridge) to be able to continue into Buxton Midland station. It didn't happen, but it possibly could, one day.

The bridge was built, however the wooden platform was removed and rebuilt as Matlock Riverside when it was decided it would be easier to start reinstatement of the line from the southern end. The new bridge remains in place, unused, 30 years later.

Whether an enormously expensive rebuild of lines to regular passenger standards would offer quicker journey times is doubtful.

 

[yorksrob]

The route from Chinley to Matlock would certainly be a useful line, particularly given the strain on the Hope Valley line.

But this is England, governed by/for London, so don't expect any change soon.

 

[furnessvale]

The route from Chinley to Matlock would certainly be a useful line, particularly given the strain on the Hope Valley line.

But this is England, governed by/for London, so don't expect any change soon.

A rough check shows five stone trains a day each way to/from the local quarries where the ultimate destination is south. At present they have to travel north to Chinley and then clog up the Hope Valley east or west before finally turning south, adding time and cost to the trip.

The quarry companies are interested in reopening. Add the possibility that the improved routing could remove even more stone from the roads and it is a winner for the Peak District.

 

[yorksrob]

A rough check shows five stone trains a day each way to/from the local quarries where the ultimate destination is south. At present they have to travel north to Chinley and then clog up the Hope Valley east or west before finally turning south, adding time and cost to the trip.

The quarry companies are interested in reopening. Add the possibility that the improved routing could remove even more stone from the roads and it is a winner for the Peak District.

It is indeed. But sadly we'll be waiting until Daisy and Buttercup find their way back to the milking shed before it happens.

 

[Killingworth]

It is indeed. But sadly we'll be waiting until Daisy and Buttercup find their way back to the milking shed before it happens.

Given the success of the Monsal Trail for leisure use there would be massive objections leading to a lengthy public inquiry. Far more weight would be mustered against it than was seen for the far more modest Hope Valley improvements that delayed that by 4 years or more.

To reinstate the route for freight isn't just relaying a single line from Chee Dale to meet with Peak Rail at Rowsley. From Matlock to Ambergate would need major work too. It would be rather expensive.

Restoring twin tracks as previously existed would be impossible without stopping the Monsal Trail. Even a single track through the tunnels would destroy that if shared with long freight trains. Passing loops would be needed.

I understand it's true that the quarries have been prepared to put some money into investigating the possibility - and that their licences to extract should guarantee decades of further work. However, by the time any line was reopened there must be concern that the quantity of limestone to be removed may be coming to an end! Which might leave it primarily as a passenger line - in 30 years time, if we're lucky. I'd back the ramblers and cyclists winning this one.

 

[yorksrob]

Given the success of the Monsal Trail for leisure use there would be massive objections leading to a lengthy public inquiry. Far more weight would be mustered against it than was seen for the far more modest Hope Valley improvements that delayed that by 4 years or more.

To reinstate the route for freight isn't just relaying a single line from Chee Dale to meet with Peak Rail at Rowsley. From Matlock to Ambergate would need major work too. It would be rather expensive.

Restoring twin tracks as previously existed would be impossible without stopping the Monsal Trail. Even a single track through the tunnels would destroy that if shared with long freight trains. Passing loops would be needed.

I understand it's true that the quarries have been prepared to put some money into investigating the possibility - and that their licences to extract should guarantee decades of further work. However, by the time any line was reopened there must be concern that the quantity of limestone to be removed may be coming to an end! Which might leave it primarily as a passenger line - in 30 years time, if we're lucky. I'd back the ramblers and cyclists winning this one.

The ramblers and cyclists said they were "looking after" the right of way, but in reality they're probably more trouble than they're worth.

 

[Killingworth]

Was wondering whether it is possible to access the present Buxton Station by running from Chinley through Dove Holes and Peak Forest - is there a junction between the old Midland and LNWR lines?

My other question is, would it be worthwhile reopening Buxton Midland Station? Obviously it would be an alternative and probably quicker route to Buxton from Manchester than the current route and what's more it would in theory open up the possibility of direct services to Buxton from the east, like Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

To answer the original question, it would be possible to connect lines in the way suggested, but it would be expensive and was looked at back in the 1980s. I doubt it would significantly improve times to Manchester, if at all, although installing a possible direct link to Sheffield would be nice. Nice, but totally uneconomic.

Any extra paths in the Hope Valley are needed for the limestone trains and passenger services between Sheffield and Manchester. Completion of the Hope Valley Capacity Improvement Scheme (by end 2022?) is the current priority. That's taken 15 years or more to get started - and it hasn't yet. Spades not expected in the ground before 2020, earliest.

 

[vlad]

My other question is, would it be worthwhile reopening Buxton Midland Station? Obviously it would be an alternative and probably quicker route to Buxton from Manchester than the current route and what's more it would in theory open up the possibility of direct services to Buxton from the east, like Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

Buxton Midland has the A53 built through its site (this Street View link shows a small length of wall remaining) so I can't see that happening.