Peak Rail gala hits new heights

More than 2000 visitors turned out for Peak Rail’s hugely successful August 12-14 mixed traction gala.

SIX locomotives ran in what was Peak Rail’s first gala event since 2019, before the pandemic took hold.

Three belonged to the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust, including 1962-built Class 47 D1501, which made its Peak Rail debut following its permanent relocation in June from the East Lancashire Railway, where it had run since 1993.

Also in action was the trust’s Class 25 D7659, which returned to traffic on October 12 last year after having been out of action for 23 years.

In 1966, D7659 became the last locomotive to be built by Beyer Peacock at Gorton Works in Manchester and in 1998 became the first to be bought by Pete Waterman.

It arrived at Rowsley South in 2017 and its subsequent overhaul was led by the trust’s engineer, Martyn Adshead.

The third of the trust’s locomotives in action was 1928-built GWR prairie No. 5553, which was bought by the group from Barry scrapyard in 1990 following its withdrawal by BR in 1962.

Joining the gala roster was Class 44 D8 Penyghent, which was withdrawn from service in November 1980 and has been owned by the North Notts Loco Group since 1986.

Visiting from the Chasewater Railway was Bagnall 0-4-0ST No. 2648 of 1941, which was built for the Ministry of Supply and later sold to the Dunlop Rubber Company on Erdington, where it arrived in August 1965 and was given fleet No. 6.

It was preserved in November 1971 and was stored for many years at Hinckley soft drinks firm Hunts before arriving at the Battlefield Line in 1983. It was restored to steam there and entered regular service before being sold to a longstanding Chasewater member. There, it was eventually repainted from NCB blue livery to its green Dunlop No. 6 colours following a major overhaul.

Also seeing gala action was Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 0-4-0ST No. 7063 of 1942 No.15 Eustace Forth, which was supplied to Dunston Power Station in Gateshead.

Saved by the Hexham Rolling Stock Group, it first went to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and then to the National Railway Museum, where it played the role of Percy in Thomas the Tank Engine events.

After spells at the Foxfield and Northampton & Lamport railways, it

moved to Peak Rail, its current home in 2020.

On the Saturday and Sunday of the event, the Ashover Light Railway and Heritage Shunters Trust at Rowsley South both ran their own mini galas.

Recently-appointed Peak Rail general manager Mark Sealey said it was the first time that a gala had been held on the Friday, but that the Saturday and Sunday proved extremely popular and that this boded well for the future development of the line as talks with Network Rail about running regular services into Matlock again continue, as reported.

ALAN WEAVER With the 19th century Grade II-listed Riber Castle country house in the background, GWR prairie No. 5553 leaves Matlock on August 14.

ALAN WEAVER Left: With the sun beating down at its highest point, creating beams in the haze left by the exhaust of GWR prairie No. 5553, signalman John Elliot exchanges the single line token.

Above: Heritage Shunters Trust locomotives in action at Rowsley South on August 13.

TOM MCATEE Left: Class 47 D1501 and Peak D8 Penyghent with the 1.30pm Rowsley South to Matlock service arrive at Darley Dale on August 13.

ALAN WEAVER Size isn’t everything? Visiting Bagnall Dunlop No. 6 passes a diesel service headed by Class 44 D8 Penyghent at Darley Dale on August 14.

ALAN WEAVER The morning goods service headed by GWR 2-6-2T No. 5553 on August 14. The locomotive was scheduled to visit the Northampton & Lamport Railway for its August 27-29 gala, which was due to see the debut of some of the Ironstone Project iron ore wagons.

ROBERT BATTY Above: RSH 0-4-0ST No. 7063 of 1942 No.15 Eustace Forth builds up a head of steam with Class 25 D7659 parked on the right.

CHRIS GEE The Ashover Light Railway Society’s 1957-built Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM shunter No. 85051 in action at Rowsley South.