HOPTON INCLINE

Max. gradient: 1-in-14

The Cromford & High Peak Railway was built at a time when locomotives weren’t regarded as a primary source of motive power. The rocky Derbyshire landscape provided engineer Josias Jessop with a huge challenge: the line had to climb nearly 1,000ft from Cromford to the summit at Ladmanlow, dropping over 750ft in eight miles to Whaley Bridge. Stationary engines were provided to haul wagons up the numerous incline planes, and horses would do the rest. The railway was altered for locomotive haulage, and while some rope-worked inclines remained, Hopton Incline became adhesion worked a considerable feat, considering some parts of it are as steep as 1-in-14!

CHRIS NEVARD LES NIXON Layout idea ‘J94’ No. 68006 draws a train over the kip on Robin Whittle’s ‘P4’ take on Sheep Pasture incline (MR171, July 2012). ‘J94’ 0‑6‑0ST No. 68012’s exhaust fills the crisp winter sky as it climbs Hopton Incline with a freight train for Friden in...