Always regret I lived at the wrong end of the UK in the 1970s. The last train operated on 18 July 1981 and then the line was mothballed, until its track lifted 1984-ish.
Believe track lifting on the Woodhead was still taking place in May 1986, some five years after closure.
The failed freight train is westbound, so why is this affecting eastbound trains as well (2S76 has arrived at Grindleford 20 minutes ago and is still there)?
Is it the 6H67 Freightliner from Llandudno Jct to Hope Sidings?
It is. The rescue locomotive has now arrived, although it hasn't moved yet.
I'm not sure anyone travelling between Sheffield and Manchester is likely to be choosing the diversion via Bradford Interchange rather than the replacement buses? Or simply waiting...
The line has indeed been closed since early June between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens.
I would take the longer train journey at every opportunity. RRB usage is the last resort option, as far as I am concerned.
It's around 3h 30 - 3h 45 via Bradford using Northern and then taking the tram (and paying for it) to Market Street and walking. So around twice as long as the bus or simply waiting for the problem to clear and catching the next train. Your preferences are of course up to you but at that stage the majority of the public will have either cancelled their tickets and gone home or used the bus.
When did the failed freight get moved, and where to? And how long had it been blocking the Hope Valley line? Two hours plus?
