Matlock Bath
168 years to the day since the line opened on 4th June 1849, Railway Touring Company return excursion from Rowsley South, current northern terminus of Peak Rail, to Ealing Broadway passes Matlock Bath station on 4th June 2017. Although the Derby to Matlock section of the former Midland Main Line was reprieved (and singled north of Ambergate) and despite Matlock Bath being a tourist spot in its own right, Barbara Castle, the then Labour Transport Minister, gave consent to close this intermediate station and it duly did so on 6th March 1967. However, this mistake was rectified when the station reopened on 27th May 1972, when she was no longer a minister. The station building is in a 'Swiss chalet' style in keeping with this part of Derbyshire's description as 'Little Switzerland' and is now owned by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust who restored the building as a cafe and visitor centre in 2019. Nearby is the Heights of Abraham cable car, opened in spring 1984, which rises 554 ft. in its 1864 ft. length.
Location: Matlock Bath
Original line: Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway
Photographer: David Bosher
Contact photographer: David Bosher
Date: 04/06/2017
Image number: 72302
Other photographs of Matlock Bath on RailScot
 |  |  |
