Peak Rail

[IBLRG]

We have it on good authority from a railway friend this afternoon, that's the lady that was in charge of Peak Rail called Jackie Statham has sadly died.

 

[33109]

We have it on good authority from a railway friend this afternoon, that's the lady that was in charge of Peak Rail called Jackie Statham has sadly died.

Very sad sad news that is.

Was jackie the person who was alleged to be a source of a lot of conflict for peak rail trying to move forwards?

Thoughts with her family at a difficult time.

 

[ffm]

Very sad sad news that is.

Was jackie the person who was alleged to be a source of a lot of conflict for peak rail trying to move forwards?

Thoughts with her family at a difficult time.

Yes that is what I heard from some of the people in the society, sad for her family.

 

[Pinza-C55]

Very sad sad news that is.

Was jackie the person who was alleged to be a source of a lot of conflict for peak rail trying to move forwards?

Thoughts with her family at a difficult time.

Depends what you mean by "moving forward". If you mean physically, the missing road bridge at the former Rowsley station is a virtually insurmountable obstacle to extending northward.

 

[davetheguard]

Depends what you mean by "moving forward". If you mean physically, the missing road bridge at the former Rowsley station is a virtually insurmountable obstacle to extending northward.

Is there something uniquely difficult about the replacement of this particular bridge? The railway preservation movement has replaced quite a few at other locations.

 

[Pinza-C55]

Is there something uniquely difficult about the replacement of this particular bridge? The railway preservation movement has replaced quite a few at other locations.

From memory the bridge was replaced in 1965 and removed after the line closed in 1968. When it was removed the opportunity was taken to straighten the road and also raise it by several feet. The line was already on a rising gradient from Rowsley South and if the bridge was replaced "as was" the road would need to be lowered and a Z bend reintroduced. If it was replaced with the road "as is" it would need not only an extremely long bridge span but the line would also need to be raised. Shortly after the bridge there is a viaduct so the line would need to be somehow raised across the viaduct. Neither of these options are even remotely affordable for the railway and the latter is virtually impossible. At one time they wanted to use the original Rowsley terminus which would have been ideal but unfortunately it was sold for a high price. Also the incumbent of Haddon Hall was opposed to the railway crossing his land again, even in the tunnel which would be expensive to restore.

 

[A0]

From memory the bridge was replaced in 1965 and removed after the line closed in 1968. When it was removed the opportunity was taken to straighten the road and also raise it by several feet. The line was already on a rising gradient from Rowsley South and if the bridge was replaced "as was" the road would need to be lowered and a Z bend reintroduced. If it was replaced with the road "as is" it would need not only an extremely long bridge span but the line would also need to be raised. Shortly after the bridge there is a viaduct so the line would need to be somehow raised across the viaduct. Neither of these options are even remotely affordable for the railway and the latter is virtually impossible. At one time they wanted to use the original Rowsley terminus which would have been ideal but unfortunately it was sold for a high price. Also the incumbent of Haddon Hall was opposed to the railway crossing his land again, even in the tunnel which would be expensive to restore.

The photos on this page http://disused-stations.org.uk/r/rowsley/index28.shtml show the difference quite nicely. (Not my photos).

 

[Pinza-C55]

The photos on this page http://disused-stations.org.uk/r/rowsley/index28.shtml show the difference quite nicely. (Not my photos).

When I first started volunteering on Peak Rail in late 1988 one of the volunteers had a big pair of bridge girders delivered to the site of Rowsley station. Sadly, even if they had been suitable the demolition contractor cut holes in them to put chains through so it was decreed they were to go for scrap.

 

[davetheguard]

From memory the bridge was replaced in 1965 and removed after the line closed in 1968. When it was removed the opportunity was taken to straighten the road and also raise it by several feet.

The photos on this page http://disused-stations.org.uk/r/rowsley/index28.shtml show the difference quite nicely. (Not my photos).

Thanks for the replies. It looks like an extension is unlikely unless a large amount of money becomes available from the magic money tree.