I was a fireman at Derby from 1961-1968 and worked trains up and down the branch both with steam engines then diesels.It was so enjoyable to pass through such lovely scenery in the the early mornings of spring and summer or on a sharp,frosty morning in winter.I really look forward to travelling the line in the future and congratulate all the volunteers who are working so hard towards its reopening.
Mick/Derby

What a great idea that video is!! You could end up showing the established societies a thing or two if you keep that up. Keep up all the good works (wirks?) and good luck.
Phil Gain Horsted Keynes W Sussex

I remember a Sunday School outing from St.Giles in Normanton to Wirkswoth by train. It must have been in 1957. I took my two small sons and we waited eagerly at Peartree Station for our special train. The platform was crowded as we cheered the approaching steam loco with the notice "St. Giles' Sunday School Outing" firmly attached to the front of engine. It was a great day out for the youngsters. I don't know who had the influence to arrange such an event but it was much appreciated. A big thank you to them from down the years
Rosemary Lucas, Derby

The film is fantastic. I`ve visited the line twice and enjoyed everything. The line can`t be opened in full soon enough in my opinion, as to get from Coventry by road is a nightmare, especially going through Derby (only the roads and not the place-as I like Derby). The walks you can do on the Cromford and High Peak trail are really accessible from the end of the Wirksworth Line, and well worth while attempting.
Robert Bench

Yes we may have a big fleet of steam engines but it is a samn shame that only two of the working locos are at MRB at the moment!
Brell Ewart, Ashbourne, Debyshire

A quick message to Robert who was born in Hazelwood, I don't think the station has been demolished. The platform has been removed but I think that the station building is now an office for a timber company based on the site. I am going up there next week and will try to confirm this. My Great Great grandfather Anthony Swift was the first station master there and his son Herbert took over after Anthony's death. Between them they ran the station for over 60 years. Herbert's brother Andrew was station master at Wirksworth. There were two other brothers Anthony who was station master at various locations ending up at Ashchurch just outside Tewkesbury and Arthur, my Great Grandfather, who was a guard based in Leicester.
Martyn Collier, Cheltenham

i came up on this railway going through the pages i once lived near this line after being away for 30 years it bought back memorys to me do they still have the steam trains on this line leonard pearce strathmiglo fife ex beeston notts
leonard

loved the video.
shaun chambers, tamworth

I've been volunteering for about a year now and I think it's great that the line is being reopened in this way. The line is being used to test trains. To Tony I have to say that it will be a route for TRAINS, not a cycle route though there are places at Wirksworth to cycle round and view the railway. Keep up the excellent work EVR, WyvernRail and others!
Jaime Duffield

West Midlands Group of the Welsh Highland Railway Society is looking for a venue for its 2007 group outing. We normally get about 30 members on these trips. I shall tell the committee what I have found out so far about your very interesting project.
John Hine Birmingham

I think it's a wonderful thing to preseve things from the past. I have lived so long in America they, have a great rail system just dying. If they had half an ounce of common sense they get these huge and I mean huge trucks of the road. They have so many accidents, they intimidate some people, so they make mistakes. Wirksworth is where I spent alot of time and would love to ride the train, my, brother worked for British Rail all his life and my nephew has worked for them all his life. Many good wishes to the project.
Heather Allen Texas

Congratulations to all those volunteers that made it happen. I hail from Derbyshire and look forward to travelling by STEAM.........As for the fractionated opinions out there.......Reflect how fortunate you all are!
Nikolai Sudakiewicz, Saudi Arabia

Should never have been closed. Great to see it up and running again. Hopefully it''ll bring you some economic prosperity too. Use it as a tool, not a toy !!
Nik, Hertfordshire

I grew up at Hazelwood(station now demolished ) on the Duffield Wirksworth line. I have many memories of the line and the trains. In the cold winter of 1947 they ran a continuous train service to keep the line open, and I was fortunate to be able to ride on the footplate and help stoke the engine all the way to Wirksworth and back. Seeing the three minute film on this website brings it all back to me, although it is not snowing as it then was. They kept the line open but the road was impassible and eventually cleared by German Prisoners of War(yes still here in 1947), and I was told the use in places of a new jet engine mounted on a lorry! (Perhaps that was a schoolboy myth!) I also remember the mysterious train that used the line during the war containing several exiled Continental Royalty and Winston Chuchill. I remember the wild life along the line, we used to pick wild strawberries at the line-side. I also remember a car being hit on a crossing the ocupants had fortunately abandoned it on hearing the approaching train. I am surprised they have now changed the names of some of the stations and there is no mention of Hazelwood or Shottle!
Robert Lobley, South Oxfordshire (ex Derbyshire)

Worked at the carriage and wagon works in the early sixties, spent some time on DMU inspection work on this branch, look forward to seeing some nice country side again on my return.
john heald, new Zealand

as a loco inspector we tested repaired dmu sets on this line in the sixties i hope to soon ride on the line again
eddie platts

RE comments made by GEOFF HOLT/TAMWORTH STAFFS......i write to agree with his opinion about all the people who feel it right to moan about the re instatement of the line from duffield to wirksworth.....to them i say if u dont like it....MOVE....the line was there many years b4 they were....and if hopfully it can help remove traffic off our allready over stretched roads then it can only be a good thing......because if i have a choice of sitting in traffic or sitting on a train in beautiful surroundings then i know which 1 i will choose.......again i hold my hat off to all those responsible for the work so far on getting this beautiful line back up and running.....and i wish you all the luck in the future....
marcus pick/findern/derby

Can't be fully open soon enough.Wouldn't it be good to see all the Derbyshire railways supporting each other.i look forward to the book"The great little trains of Derbyshire"
dave parker Sawley

hoorah for the people who keep this part of history alive for future generations
keith davies allenton

I was a volunteer who worked on this railway during 2003/4. I follow the progress every day through the e group and wish them all the luck with the future. What greives me, is al the comments about too many railway preservation groups in the area. What is wrong with that. What you should be praising is the fact that Derbyshire is hosting yet another railway project, which is all good for promoting the area, not rattling at each other's throats, because it infringes on your space. The Wirksworth Railway is not intending to be a preserved steam railway, its object is to provide a local daily passenger service for Wirksworth people and visitors, to Duffield, with a connection to Derby and the North. Weekends, maybe eventually will support preserved steam, which will be a bonus. To those of you who live alongside the line who are complaining, my answer to you is TOUGH! You should not have bought a house that backs onto a railway in the first place, if you do not like trains. Move if it bother's you, but I bet you don't complain when you find, that it may have put up the value of your property, now that the line is due to be reinstated. I close by saying, good luck to Wyvern Rail & Ecclesbourn Valley Railway. Peak Rail, Butterly and others, stop moaning about each other, pull together, instead of pulling others down. Britain is the largest preservor of railways in the world, has more preserved steam locos than any other country in the world and has the most preserved heritage railways, one more only adds to the greatness of it all. Plus Derbyshire hosts the National Tramway Museum to boot. How many counties have so much to offer visitors, and it's beautiful countryside.
Geoff Holt. Tamworth, Staffs.

we visited wirksworth station 2 years ago - very impressed then with the amount of work achieved; thanks for compiling the video - now having seen the video it has persuaded us that we must visit the railway again when we are next in the area; best wishes for yor plans and we looking forward to a train ride in the future from the stone quarry museum to Duffield
r acres northants

I think Wirksworth and Butterley are both worth a visit. Good luck to you all who work there.
Doreen Allen Ilkeston.

Samuel Hodgkinson was the first Station Master at Wirksworth but I believe my wifes 3XUncle Luke Fox was the second Station master in 1871 trained at Cudworth nr Barnsley His son Alfred Fox was Head Railway Clerk at Wirksworth 1880s who married Matilda Brittain daughter of Thomas Brittain who owned Manystone Quarry Brassington Thomas having married Mary Colledge whose father George Colledge of my kin onwed Baileycroft Quarry which runs into Wirksworth Station via the underground tunnel recently uncovered near the Station Masters House where as a lad I often visited when Mr John Hall the last Station Master lived in the house by the side of the bridge.. My Grt Grandfather Joseph Walker built part of the line laaying the drainage and building some of the bridges en route as did my allied kin of Slack and Buckley..Local companies using the line were Hopton Wood Stone (Killer Bros William Killer the founder being my 3XUncle ) Bowne & Shaw Middle Peak Quarry (John Shaw who began the quarrying dynasty at Colehills as a lime burner Stone merchant was nephew to my 5XGrandmother Anne Shaw Other Shaws also my kin.. Other members of my family were Lead Mine Agents at Ravenstor, Ratchwood, Rantnatakers, Thisely, mines all in the area where the Ravenstor line ends today also at The Bage Mine Wall Close etc at Bolehill some still working in the mines after the line opened in 1868 and so possibly using the line to convey their products..My Gr Gr Grandfather Samuel Flint who married Mary Killer was Wharfinger Agent at Middle Peak Wharf, Cromford & HPR which serviced Wheatcrofts Quarry (Ash Hill also known as Hopton Wood..which in 1906 amalgamated with Killer Bros to make Hopton Wood Stone Company//Middle Peak also serviced Bowne & Shaw via a narrow gauge raailway which crossed the road near Monkey Hole bridge)and Samuel by the 1860s was Station Master at Steeplegrange when a primitive passenger service was run.. His cousin Joseph flint was Wharfinger Agent at Flints Wharf Steeplegrange so called as my Gr Gr Grandfather had his own coal merchants business there whilst Joseph had a Brick Works.. My Grt Grandfather was Station Master and Wharfinger at Parsley Hay and Friden respectivley 1870s whilst others of my allied kin re Hallows and Sheldon were agents at Cromford Wharf and other sites along the line.. Wyvern Rail deserves to succeed, as it is one of the potentially most wonderful stretches of line to travel on.. and having the ablitiy to cross the line at Duffield and catch a main line train must be a bonus that other privately owned branch railways would give their all for...I wish them well
Stuart Flint Wirksworth

can`t wait to ride the Loco. great idea, worth all the work put in by evryone, well done!
Martin Spencer, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Railways have almost no impact on wildlife and relatively little in terms of pollution, unlike the road that most houses are stuck right beside. The fact railways are fenced off areas much of which is not accessible to the public provides a habitat for animals. The clear areas each side of the track lead to more small animal deaths - but not from trains, from birds, and can help support owls and birds of prey. The relative irregularity of passing trains compared to the continuous flow of traffic also prevents most roadkill incidents. If you don't want people playing trains except in their garden do the world a favour, and only play with your SUV in your garden ...
Alan Cox, Swansea

I am so pleased that there is another rail link in the most beautiful county, Derbyshire and hope to use the line, whenever it is available. It's so awesome and I look forward to riding that train.
Paul Dey, Leicester

If anyone living near a preserved railway doesn't like it, then you should move - trust me, there are a LOT of people who would love to live in your house. The mere fact that you continue living there shows that it doesn't really bother you, it's just something that is easy 'to have a go at'.
chris from the IoW

just been reading the comments on the site and as a young railway fan (21)I feel disharted at the bickering and self intrest that the other railway preservation group is commenting. the EVR is a lovely line and will help boost business in the local community and i think insted of trying to compeate with them you should all group together and help each other out. I wish thye best of luck to the People at the EVR and keep up the good work as for the group with that sort of snotty atitude i don't think i will visiting your railway untill you change your attitude.
Alan webb , Ilkeston

I Joined BR in 1970 as an engineering student and worked on this line during the 70/71 winter. I was placed with the Derby-based mechanical signalling gang under Cyril Broad, digging in and installing ground frames and signalling for additional sidings at Gorsey Bank. Memorable days. I was very pleased to listen to the plans for the route, and to ride it when I went to examine the proposals as HM Inspector earlier in 2005. Originally from Matlock, I am pleased to see the excellent endeavours of a number of standard gauge railway operators in the area and the narrow gauge railways: Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway at Rowsley, the Steeple Grange Light Railway on the C&HPR and the Golden Valley Light Railway at Butterley. I am sure that each private railway in the area would benefit by publicising each other’s railway to its own visitors. Each is in beautiful countryside and is in an historically interesting area even if its own railway in not itself historically significant. As for the anonymous neighbours who move into adjacent property, a competent solicitor would have informed you whether the railway had been formally abandoned or closed before your contract exchange. There is little legal room for complaint against a statutory undertaking about which you were fully aware before you became its neighbour - unless it shirks its statutory responsibilities in the exercise of statutory powers granted to it by an Order or Act of Parliament.
Chris Jacquier, Leighton Buzzard

What about all the wildlife that have been upset by you 'little boys & girls' playing trains. If you want a trainset build it in your own gardens. I've noticed all you enthusiasts live far enough away for it not to effect you. GET A LIFE - THE PAST IS GONE - PRESERVE THE FUTURE - I WANT TO SIT OUTSIDE ON A SUNNY WEEKEND IN PEACE AND NOT HAVE SMELLY OLD TRAINS POLLUTING MY SPACE.
Leslie Francis

I AM actually, Nathan, as I am currently considering volunteering there.
Alex Fairlie, Derby

It looks like a promising venture and I think it's good that such schemes are becoming more and more successful. It is because of railways such as this, that we are becoming more and more aware of the use of public transport and how, if it is funded properly, it can be used properly to benefit all of us. I disagree with you Alex Fairlie, whilst the Midland Railway might look nice, it has had time to prosper. Perhaps you will be contributing to the success of the EVR?
Nathan Whitington, Eastbourne

On a visit to the Duffield wirksworth line about a year before the announcement that the line was going to be re opened it has surprised me to see people walking down to the railway with wheelbarrows and tipping their rubbish near the crossing and surrounding area. I hope that now the line is open that the regulations for dumping rubbish on the railways will be the same as everywhere else.Think safety. Well done Keep up the good work!
Fred, Derby

We found your railway by accident the other week but you were closed. we made a special trip the following week to have another look and had a ride on the Dmu and look forward to when you get a bit further down the line. It reminded us of our first visit to churnet valley when they only went from station to engine shed and look at them now! Remember great oaks from little acorns grow Keep up the good work and we wish you all the best
Robin Bailey Lichfield

I remember this line when it was overgrown.Look it it now, it changes from week to week, I live locally but there is always something new to see. All the loacl rail projects should pull together and not knock each other! This railway project is wonderful, and I always take visitors to see it. The volunteers alway make you welcome and they do a magnificant job, well done!
Tony Fisher Matlock

Actually, the Midland Railway-Butterley is not just a tourist attraction, it is also a working railway, we are hoping to extend to Pye Bridge station, and if that stupid A38 road wasn't in the way we would be able to run all the way to Ambergate, therefore making it part of the national network again, but that is the council's fault, not ours. And believe it or not, I am in favour of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway project and look forward to seeing it completed. I'm only saying that the video could be improved, not the railway, so I say good luck and best wishes to the Wyvern Rail team and look forward to seeing your monster project well completed.
Daniel Baggaley

Daniel Baggaley, this isn't a tourist attraction, it is a workign railway that is actually trying to help transport links. No there are not as many trains, but to be honest, I don't give a monkeys. This railway will do much more for the area then the midlands railway, which is purely a tourist attraction. i think you should keep your opions about the video and project to yourself, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all", and certainly don't compare a working railway to a museum! Hope the project is sucessful.
matt, derby

good luck to all involved i used to drive trains on this line as some will remember wirksworth used to supply limestone to whitemore in northamptonshire it brings good memories back
bill alvaston

I know the area from walking trips on the Cromford line.This railway should be supported in getting townees,like me,out of their cars to enjoy better access to the Peak district. Every best wish for success to your venture.
Frank Keyte,Harrow,Middx.

I have followed the progress of this from first hearing about it,and went to find it,what a mess,but now,unbelieveable.I come once in a while with my handicapped son Robert.We love riding on the train, even better when it's the full route.As for the people of Wirksworth, just look at what other preserved railways have done for their local areas.
Ron Parkin Sheffield

I have absolutely nothing against building other preserved railways and I certainly don't want any track bed to turn into a road or pathway, all I was saying is that no other railway can beat the beauty and motive power collection of the Midland Railway-Butterley! Trust me, if any other railway can beat our motive fleet I'll eat my hat! We have the largest preserved DMU fleet in the country, possibly one of the largest preserved diesel fleets in the country and a fair preserved steam fleet. So if any other railway can beat our preserved DMU fleet number I would like to hear from you and I would also need to see it to believe it! Who cares if our line is only 3.5 miles long, it's the public image that counts.
Daniel Baggaley, Alfreton

Well done everyone. I think it is wonderfull what people like you are doing. As for the person who suggested that it should become a cycle line, He is serious isn't he?
douglas Martin - Shrewsbury

From the partisan comments by the supporters of other railways in the area, I can only guess that this new line is getting the others worried! I have watched this line change from a complete eyesore to something that is getting us all quite excited. Good luck and ignore the "there's no need brigade" - would they complain if the railway was converted into a dual carriageway at the bottom of their gardens?
Jeff, Duffield

I couldn't tell what was going on, the screen was all pixellised, I agree with my 'good' friend Alex Fairlie. As far as I am concerned, no railway can try to, but will/can not beat the beauty and motive power collection of the one and only Midland Railway-Butterley. 'All hail the Midland Railway-Butterley!!!'
Daniel Baggaley, Alfreton

This is a great idea, i personally think that British people should invest more in the roads. why not have them 6 lanes wide so there is less congestion. anyway, great railway and i hope that it is finished soon, because i am coming to derbyshire to some relatives.
John Rainenport, Los Angeles, California, USA

My wife and I travelled the line from Matlock to Rowsley in June. Loved it. We are members of the 8Km railway being restored at this site www.waitara_rail.tripod.com. It is your heritage-look after it.
Neville Sevicke-Jones, New Plymouth NZ

As a lad from Nottingham, and a 40 year railwayman (still working),I remember the line in freight operation (and the C&HP) when I used to go hiking in the area in the 1960s. Its a great tragedy that the junction at Duffield has been removed. Keep up the good work. I do feel that with the Midland Railway Trust at Butterley, Peak Rail at Matlock and the Great Central not so far away, there may be a struggle to attract visitors. Running the four lines as one (with four sites)may have some economic benefits ! Also the generation who remember the railways as they were in the 60s is getting older. The community railway element needs emphasising and good reliable connections with Central Trains at Duffield. I wish you every success and will visit in due course. Charles Weightman, Signalling Principles Engineer,
Charles Weightman, North Duffield, North Yorkshire

I'm backing this plan all the way. I disagree with those who say there is no need. It will reduce traffic on the road, especially if it is linked to the high peak mineral line as planned. I'm eagarly awaiting its opening.
Jim

Myself & Mike Iles came over from Wales to see your last model railway exhibition. Although I'm from Nottm originally, neither myself, nor Mike had been to Wirksworth before. We both were impressed with what we saw, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit, intending to come again next year. Hope you will make it like the Welshpool do, held end of Aug. Regards JB.
John Burnett, Flintshire

With Congestion charging for the peak district currently being examined, any public transport into the heart of derbyshire is a bonus. Derby train station makes a great hub to connect too, it would no doubt boost tourist passenger figures and potentially open a commuter route into Derby thus boosting house prices along the line. If it was possible to link into the Derby-Nottingham route with stops all the way along it would improve the current ten minute time window in which the three trains for each hour run. Keep it up, has anyone played railroad tycoon 3 for the PC yet? your just doing the same as that only for real.
Steve, Long Eaton

As an ex-Derby goods guard, I was often to be found on the local Wirksworth branch "trip" working, either taking empties up to Wirksworth or loads down to Derby for distribution. When the freight went from Derby in the late 80's, I moved from Wirksworth to Buxton to become a signaller, and my favourite branch line closed. Long may the trains roll down to Duffield - I will be on one of them. Good luck for the furure.
Bryan Parker, Buxton.

I went on the last passenger train to Wirksworth, which actually wasn't that long ago - as part of a Railway Festival in Derby, there was a special service run by the prototype "Sprinter" Diesel unit, which at that time was on extended trial operating the Matlock Branch service. The trip from Duffield was very slow......... I wish the organisations well, but wonder whether even now it makes sense to reopen a line for passengers that the LMS closed before the last war because of poor passenger numbers.....
Brian Dominic, Riddings

What a fantastic effort from everyone involved with the wirksworth to duffield and hopefully derby in the future reopening project any chance of sometime in the future it linking with the matlock to derby line or other possible links?
shane chesterfield

what nostalgia!! i remember the golden era of steam from when i was a lad, my dad would take me down to the tracks as a sunday treat, and i used to love the smell of burning coals and soot. modern rail has ruined this country!!
mike mcguinn, derby

If this railway does what the East Lancs Railway has done for the Rossendale Valley, then the area will prosper,and bring with it further investment and interest. Sunday Markets, prosperity to local shops, focussed attention from funding agencies ...and lots more beside.If you don't believe it go and have a look .
Geoff Jones, Wigan

If I wore a hat I would be taking it off to the team that are turning a dream of reopening the line into a fact. The work of WyvernRail & EVRA is recognised as being a vital part of the regeneration plans for Wirksworth, which should benefit all of those who live in the Ecclesbourne Valley. It is not just about having a pretty bit of history; we hope that the line will be a sustainable business contributing to the local economy. Over years local industry has declined; an operational railway can not only bring new people up the valley, but can also help to attract new business. So well done to all those involved - I look forward to leaving my car at home.
Kevin Hall, Wirksworth

The Wirksworth/Duffield in 3 mins is a wonderful piece of marketing and will catch the eye of the non railway enthusiast as much as the rail fan to raise interest in the line . great Idea.
Richard Lewis

as a raiwayman and enthusiast with both peak rail and the churnet, theres a great potential for your line,tourist and comercial, hope all your efforts in the future are well rewarded,derbyshire has now the most concentration of private railways in any county,we should all be working together as enthusiats and railwaymen/railwomen to achieve the common goals of saving as much of our railsystem as possible from closure and abandonment,keeping the tradition of rail heritage alive,eg buildings and rights of way as well as locomotives etc, and offering an alternative to the motor car as best we can. well done keep it up!.
dom,buxton

I tend not to get involved in what goes on down at the ralway; something that is very difficult when your husband is responsible for its marketing. However, over the years I have been, and remain, amazed at the dedication, hard work and commitment (in all weathers) of the people involved in this project. The work on the fabric started in 2000, but behind the scenes, work was undertaken for many years before. It is obvious from the comments on this site that this work is in the main appreciated. To the negative comments, bring your bike on the baggage car, I know that one of the goals is to get as many accessing the High Peak Trail without their cars as possible. It has taken at least 10-15 years to get this line in order; the Matlock-Buxton line is at least that far away, but we will be able to get to Derby and then change direction! Thank you to all at WyvernRail & EVRA; keep up the good work. As a resident the, improvement to the environment is an enormous one; from dereliction the area looks and is cared for.
Jacqueline Ferguson-Lee, Wirksworth

this line would get a lot more people travelling along it as a cycle path than I suspect it ever will as a train line - it would be a good link through to the high peak trail
Tony, Duffield

With regards to L Taylor. having lived in Wirksworth for 29 years i think there is a need for the local industrys to start using the branch line. The traffic on the wirksworth to duffield in the morning is very busy in fact the strecth of road is know as the rat race this is due to the amounts of accidents which have occured over the years this would of been greatly reduced if the branch line was open.This is a great thing to happen and also help local business.
Mark Wirksworth

As a child in the 50's I regularly crossed the Wirksworth Line at Holloway Road in Duffield and always hoped I would see one of the goods trains laden with limestone from the Wirksworth Quarries that ran on the line then. The ones heading towards the mainline would be coasting with a loud clanking and the grinding sound of the brakes being applied ready to stop at Duffield Junction. But the empty trains heading up to Wirksworth would be in full steam as they got up speed (relatively,they never moved very fast on that line). I always dreamed of travelling the line myself and got the chance on the late Spring bank holiday in 1985 when the Wirksworth Phoenix provided a special service for passengers. A lot of work had been done around then to upgrade the line including a new mineral terminal at Wirksworth so it came as a surprise when the line was closed a few years later. Well done Wyvern Rail:keep up the good work.
William Skinner_Etwall

Nice idea and always good to see railways reopened, but can't really see the need for this one just now... v little congestion on Wirks. Rd and A6. Not a lot of population up that line. Matlock to Buxton, now that's a project worth doing.
Laurence Taylor, Derby

Keep up the good work all you volunteers, those who regard it as "Boring", must be very sad boring people themselves, who should get out and get a life.
Derek Hill Derby

Well done all concerned with the project. As a young lad i spent many hours at Duffield station, train spoting, and remember very clearly the testing of the new Diesel Railcars, and that smell of the new paint, as they came straight from the works.
john febbrari

This project is a credit to all those who have invested a great deal of time and money to achieve something extremely worthwhile to pass down to future generations. Keep up the good work.
Juliette Blake, Heage, Derbyshire

I started my working days as an apprentice at the carriage & wagon works in Derby ,I remember being told that the diesel multiple units were taken up this line to "do a test run" after being built in the works at Derby . Good luck to the project and hope to ride on the line soon. Michael Gell ...ex British Railways Research Scientist.
MICHAEL GELL

as an ex rowsley fireman its good to see this old line back in use if more were opened up we would help the road congestion in the peak district one of the most beautiful areas of england
jeff hextall burton

I'm so pleased to see this line being saved and made good use of. I left Duffield in 1974 and thought the line was already closed then. Well done. Keep up the good work.
ellis emerson new zealand

My great-grandfather Samuel Hodgkinson (1835 - 1907), was the first Stationmaster at Wirksworth. I am sure he would have been pleased to see the re-instatement of the line. Congratulations to all involved.
David Hodgkinson, Borrowash, Derbyshire

The Wirksworth group is a model of how a few dedicated people can be taken seriously in securing an abandoned piece of history, and set it to right. This is a model for all of us who love the tidy little lines that were the blood of our communities. Locomotive whistles became as warm a greeting as the wagging tail of a warm dog. These people have kept faith with their community. Wonderful story.
Richard Glueck, Winterport, Maine, USA