'Lord Phil' being prepared on the outside pit at Rowsley for the 1940s Weekend earlier in the year.
The 2nd November was the first day of the Winter Timetable and trains were running only as far as Matlock Riverside. In a further change, we were not 'Top and Tailing' but would work the train unaided, requiring us to run-round the train each time we arrived at both Matlock Riverside and Rowsley stations. For many years, running round was part of the standard operation but since the extension of our line to Matlock (Town) in 2011, described here, we've rather got out of practice and Dave and I were to find it hard work. We were quite grateful that the timetable only called for four round trips in the day, rather than the five we operate in the Summer timetable. The weather can most kindly be described as 'mixed'. There was sunshine during the day but it also rained heavily periodically. To add to our woes, the grey water tank at the north end of the platform at Rowsley, which we had expected to use to replenish the locomotive saddle tank during the day, was unserviceable. We had to use the brown water tank at the south end of the station. The arrangement here is, ahem, less than ideal, involving dragging a long length of firehose to the engine and manhandling it onto the top of the saddle tank each time we took water. However, there were plenty of passengers during the day and, at the finish after disposal, Dave and I agreed we'd had an enjoyable, although tiring, day.
Former arrangements at Matlock Riverside
Previously, the operation of the points when running round at Matlock Riverside was carried out by the engine crew. The points at the Darley Dale end of the station were operated by the Fireman from a 3-lever ground frame released by the Single Line Staff.
The 3-lever Ground Frame at the Darley Dale end of Matlock Riverside before the Matlock Riverside Re-signalling Project.
The points at the other end of the run-round loop, near the A6, were operated from a hand lever.
The hand points near the A6 Matlock Riverside before the Matlock Riverside Re-signalling Project.
Matlock Riverside Re-signalling Project
Since the running line was extended to Matlock (Town), a new signal box has been built at Matlock Riverside to control the run round and the connection to the extension to Matlock (Town).
Work on this ambitious signalling project is almost complete so it had been arranged that, with the start of the winter timetable, Signal & Telegraph Department staff would be in attendance to operate the points from the signal box, under the supervision of Dominic. The various new fixed signals remain fitted with a white 'X' indicating that they are not yet in use and all movements took place under the authority of Hand Signals (red and yellow flags). This arrangement also provided an opportunity for Signalmen to receive training in the operation of the new signal box before commissioning takes place.
The new signal box at Matlock Riverside.
Winter Camp
The Peak Rail 1940s Weekend is held in August and I described this year's event in the post here. But there's also a smaller event under the title 'Winter Camp' which this year was on the 2nd and 3rd November. There were a few tents pitched in the woods at Rowsley but the re-enactors need to be dedicated to camp out in November.
Peak Rail: 2nd/3rd November 2013: 'Winter Camp' commemorating the Battle of the Bulge.
My pictures
Resignalling at Matlock Riverside.
'Lord Phil'.
