STRail are a manufacturer of sectional, moulded panels used to provide a road surface at level crossings. Production is in Germany but the system is actively marketed in the U.K. (see U.K. Website). STRail held one of their Workshops at Peak Rail on 7-Oct-2009.
Derek and Jan were rostered as the '8F' loco crew and since the engine was required for 9:00 a.m. this meant an early start. After attaching the stock, we went 'Empty Stock' to Matlock Riverside and ran round, ready to pick up those STRail guests who'd travelled to Matlock by train from Derby. These passengers alighted at Darley Dale for the short walk to the Whitworth Centre for presentations by STRail. The '8F' carried on to Rowsley and ran round again, ready for the next trip.
Returning to Darley Dale, we picked up all the delegates who were then served lunch as the train moved through the Derbyshire Countryside. After two round trips of the line, the guests were suitably 'fed and watered' and alighted at Rowsley.
At the north end of the loop line, STRail had set up demonstration panels of the various level crossing solutions they manufacture so that the delegates could receive practical instruction in installing the equipment.Two impressive SRS Rail System road/rail work vehicles were also in attendance near the STRail demonstration panels. Swedish Rail Systems (SRS) produced their first design in 1976 and the U.K. website gives details of the current range.
The delegates then returned to the train for coffee and biscuits while Derek and I moved the '8F' to the south end of the train for our final trip. At Darley Dale, delegates with cars left us and we carried on to Matlock Riverside where the remaining delegates left us to catch the diesel service to Derby. A final run round and a romp up the bank brought us back to Rowsley. We uncoupled from the stock and took the locomotive back to the outside pit for disposal. The weather had been kind, the locomotive had performed flawlessly and I think the day was judged a success by everybody involved.
I took a few pictures - they are here. I also took 'technical' shots of the '8F' which I've added to the collection here.
