B&R .54 Dvd: Steam Through the Peaks

Description

The Midland Railway route through the heart of the Peak District, of limestone hills, from Derby to Manchester Central lasted one hundred years.

It was this limestone which produced much traffic for the railway, the ICI works around Buxton provided steam haulage up to 1968.

This programme tells the story using archive film from the 1950 and 1960s.

It begins at Derby, home of the Midland Railway and progresses northwards visiting many locations now passed into history, where the steam engines once reigned supreme.

First there is an introduction to the route using the last steam hauled train over the entire route in 1968.

Beginning then at Derby we go north to Wirksworth and its quarry.

A detailed look at the Cromford and High Peak line, with its steep inclines at Sheep Pasture and Hopton, J94’s storming Hopton incline, through to Parsley Hay, showing a B1 at Parsley Hay.

Following the route via steam around Rowsley where the long climb to Peak Forest begins.

Stop off at Millers Dale (where the Buxton branch diverged) worked by push-pull trains hauled by 2P 0-4-4T tank engines and a

Patriot turns up from Manchester, all seen 58083 and 41905 on the service to Buxton.

8F’s in the snow at Buxton and Patriot 45522 puts in an appearance.

The shed here had an allocation of heavy freight 2-8-0s for working the extensive limestone trains away from Peak Forest.

Peak Forest, Dove Holes and Chinley North and South Junctions.

The Chinley with its four track main line down to Gowbole yards, with a Midland Spinner, absolutely unique film from 1980.

Buxton and Gowhole yards, New Mills and its branch through Birch Vale.

New Mills to Bredury, via Woodley, follows the original Midland Railway’s route to Manchester with fine views at Brinnington to

Stockport Tiviot Dale.

Georges Road to Heaton Mersey, the shed at Heaton Mersey is seen from 1962 to closure in 1968.

London expresses pass Cheadle Heath and a commuter service at Manchester Central was still worked by steam in 1965.

Finally the now closed route through Didsbury and Chorlton brings the film to an end at Manchester Central.

Then rejoin the Midland route at Cheadle Heath, Scot, 4F and 2-6-4 tanks, to journey via Didsbury and Chorlton to Manchester Central.

Motive power from the Midland Spinner to Royal Scots, 4F, Black 5, 8F and 9F, Standard classes and a B1 all turn up somewhere along this fascinating at scenic route.

Once again this video covers an area in great detail and well filmed.

A worthy successor to our earlier videos made south of Derby.

Approx. 60 minutes.

This dvd is being sold on behalf of and with full permission of the copyright owner – B&R Video Productions.