In 2014, the event was held on Saturday 2nd August and Sunday 3rd August. This year, the event had a special resonance because Monday 4th August was the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. The Saturday was very wet in the morning but weather improved in the afternoon. I was rostered as steam driver on the Sunday and we enjoyed sunny, hot weather all day. When I arrived, I found 'Lord Phil' simmering on the pit at Rowsley. The booked fireman, Phil and I chatted briefly and then I set about oiling-round and carrying out the 'Daily Exam'. As previously, we were to operate a 7-coach train top-and-tail. 'Lord Phil' would be attached to the north end of the stock, facing north, with D8 'Penyghent' at the south end. This meant that we could take water from the water tank at the north end of Rowsley station. Providing the driver stops accurately, it's much easier taking water here than having to maul around a fire hose when taking water at the south end of Rowsley.
'Lord Phil' simmers on the pit at Rowsley.
Running the service
We came off-shed in plenty of time using the Train Staff to operate the 3-lever Ground Frame at the north end of Rowsley, so as to get to the north end of the train and Phil 'tied-on'. I walked back to the shed to deliver the Train Staff to 'Penyghent' so that, when they were ready, they could shunt across to the southern end of the train. The 2-coaches of the 'Palatine' restaurant set were next to 'Penyghent', followed by five more coaches including the Buffet Car and the Brake Composite with the Guard's accommodation. The 'Palatine' was not being used for meals so it was available for ordinary passengers and I gather they opened the 'Palatine' bar (in addition to the normal licensed bar in the buffet car).
Well before departure time, the train was filling up with passengers and the platform was very crowded. Initially, the Guard tried to keep the back two coaches empty, to be used by passengers joining the train at Matlock Town, but there were just too many people arriving so passengers were allowed first into the sixth and then the seventh coach.
'Penyghent' took the first train to Matlock (Town), with 'Lord Phil' doing no work. On arrival, the Single Line Staff was transferred to us from 'Penyghent' ready for the return journey. We then had the task of returning the train to Rowsley, being careful to stop well up at Darley Dale with seven coaches and a main-line diesel behind us (we'd set a suitable 'mark' on the first Up journey) and stopping at Rowsley on the correct 'crack between platform paving stones' to make sure the swinging arm of the 'water crane' accurately lined up with the water filler on top of the saddle tank.
During the day we completed the five round trips to Matlock (Town) without fuss and sticking very closely to time.
'Lord Phil' at Matlock (Town) ready to set off for Rowsley.
Special Activities
There's an awful lot of preparation and planning involved in the lead-up to the 1940s Weekend. In the large marquee there was 1940s-themed entertainment (and a licensed bar!). A variety of military and civilian vehicles were on display. In the Car Park near the station there were a number of stalls selling memorabilia of the period. In the woods opposite Rowsley platform and in the Picnic Area there were elaborate military encampments.
Military encampments in the woods at Rowsley.
Pricipally, there were the re-enactors, either in a wide variety of military uniforms or in civilian clothing of the 1940s. My own minor contribution was my 'Tin Helmet' which I periodically wore and my respirator which I carried from time-to-time (but which I decline to don). According to the Official Programme the following groups were represented:-
Panzer GD Living History GroupOf course, working on the train means that you don't get much of an opportunity of looking around the extensive activities at Rowsley, but I did snatch a few photographs around the site. At 3.00 p.m. each day, there was a battle re-enactment opposite the platform at Rowsley, but this only took place once the train had departed for Matlock and it was all over well before we returned. The Programme promised the scene at a railway siding, somewhere in Germany in the Spring of 1945, as the German forces attempted to move precious artefacts and paintings back to Berlin by train, whilst Allied forces sought to prevent this. I didn't see the action, but I did manage to snatch a picture of the artefacts.
Feldjagerkorps 44 (German Miltary Police)
FJR-5 German Paratrooper Group with Nurses and anti-tank gun section
WW2 German Paratroopers
Hungarian Troops
Luftwaffe Pilots and Ground Crew
German and Finnish Snipers
Russian 2nd Guards Rifle Division
USA Camp
British Infantry and Paratroopers
French Resistance
British Army Group
Womens Land Army
Home Guard
Pictures and artefacts which the Germans attempted to move to Berlin by train.
Crowds line the platform at Rowsley.
The Sunday event seemed particularly well-attended helped, no doubt, by the good weather (although there were a couple of light showers during the day).
Previous 1940s Weekends
I've participated in a number of earlier 1940s events at Peak Rail:-
2013 event (article & pictures link).
2012 event (article & pictures link).
2009 event (article & pictures link).
2008 event (article & pictures link).
2007 event (pictures only).
2006 event (pictures only).
My Pictures
Peak Rail 1940s Weekend, 2014.
