Peak Rail

The line which has been re-instated mostly by volunteers forms part of the old Midland Railway line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras which was closed in 1968. We currently operate for a distance of 4 miles between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2 Stations with both steam and diesel locomotives in operation.

MATLOCK PLATFORM 2 which is our southern terminus opened in July 2011 and operates alongside the main line run by East Midland Trains, whose termination point is Matlock Platform 1. This station can be accessed via the footbridge at the side of Sainsbury’s store and parking for which can be located in the pay and display Council car park situated next to the main Matlock Railway Station.

MATLOCK RIVERSIDE once the termination point of all our trains, this temporary wooden platform is a short walk from the main Matlock Town Centre, access to which is via the footpath alongside the river bank or by using the A6 by-pass road a short distance from Sainsbury’s store and near to the A6 roundabout. This station is the termination point for all trains departing from Rowsley South during January and February.

DARLEY DALE with its Gothic style buildings is our intermediate station with trains stopping in both directions. The station buildings on the up platform house a waiting room and a small museum which illustrates the history of the former Midland Railway main line.

ROWSLEY SOUTH our northern terminus complete with steam
engine/restoration shed and a 60 ft working turntable is situated within a 28 acre site and is the main base of all Peak Rail’s operating activities. The station facilities include a buffet serving mouth watering bacon butties and tempting home-made cakes, whilst the shop strives to serve both visitors and railway enthusiasts alike with a vast range of both railway orientated merchandise and souvenir gifts. Other attractions for you to explore during your visit include the Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway. Adjacent to this you will find the Peak Rail picnic area which makes and ideal setting for you and your family to enjoy the tranquility whilst you enjoy a picnic in the quite surroundings or maybe indulge yourself in an ice cream or treat yourself to a refreshing cup of tea from our hugely popular Break Van which is open from April to September. Various other groups have made this site their home and these consist of the Heritage Shunter’s Trust, a group dedicated in preserving and restoring a large collection of ex-British Rail diesel shunters, the LMSCA who are aiming to restore and operate LMS coaches to allow visitors to experience travel in this era and the Renown Repulse Restoration Group , a band of volunteers who are working to restore former BR class 50 locomotives 50029 “Renown” and 50030 “Repulse” to full working order.

So why not visit us during 2015 and experience within the Derbyshire Dales the nostalgic era of the steam train.