Ecclesbourne Valley Railway News & Updates

[Tim Oaks]

The Santa specials broke the record set the previous year with an increase of about 30% over the 2022 figures. The catering and commercial staff put in tremendous effort and have been left full of enthusiasm for 2024. I gather there are some new ideas in the pipeline, including a very special guest special guest for the 1940s weekend.

Immediately after Christmas the kitchen car was withdrawn from traffic for the fitting of a new kitchen to increase capacity and build on the improved results for 2023. Ben, Sam and the Carriage team are hard at work already. The other major component in the plan is the second LMSCA coach, which is progressing well and is hoped to be in traffic in about June; at the moment the LMSCA team are busy making seat ends and are surrounded by dining table tops and other seat components. This coach will be going into the shed as soon as a slot appears in the programme, after the pre-season checks on the running fleet.
The Duke entered service at the new year gala and has run very smoothly. The overhaul has taken 14 years and cost just over £300,000. The locomotive will require the fitting of a fire cement arch before it can go back into more intensive use service for the half term trains on 17th to 25th February; the cement is due to arrive on Tuesday 23rd January.

We have been very pleased to welcome Graham Bilby as our new permanent way manager; until very recently he was fulfilling similar duties for Network Rail and used to maintain the track on our railway when it was still part of the national network.

There has been some progress with the insurers who will be dealing with the lunch slip at Champion Lane, Duffield. At the moment our insurers are talking to the insurers of the neighbouring property and it looks promising though there is still some way to go before contractors can begin work. The Board are considering a particular course of action and we may have some further news shortly.

 

[The_Train]

The Santa specials broke the record set the previous year with an increase of about 30% over the 2022 figures. The catering and commercial staff put in tremendous effort and have been left full of enthusiasm for 2024. I gather there are some new ideas in the pipeline, including a very special guest special guest for the 1940s weekend.

Immediately after Christmas the kitchen car was withdrawn from traffic for the fitting of a new kitchen to increase capacity and build on the improved results for 2023. Ben, Sam and the Carriage team are hard at work already. The other major component in the plan is the second LMSCA coach, which is progressing well and is hoped to be in traffic in about June; at the moment the LMSCA team are busy making seat ends and are surrounded by dining table tops and other seat components. This coach will be going into the shed as soon as a slot appears in the programme, after the pre-season checks on the running fleet.
The Duke entered service at the new year gala and has run very smoothly. The overhaul has taken 14 years and cost just over £300,000. The locomotive will require the fitting of a fire cement arch before it can go back into more intensive use service for the half term trains on 17th to 25th February; the cement is due to arrive on Tuesday 23rd January.

We have been very pleased to welcome Graham Bilby as our new permanent way manager; until very recently he was fulfilling similar duties for Network Rail and used to maintain the track on our railway when it was still part of the national network.

There has been some progress with the insurers who will be dealing with the lunch slip at Champion Lane, Duffield. At the moment our insurers are talking to the insurers of the neighbouring property and it looks promising though there is still some way to go before contractors can begin work. The Board are considering a particular course of action and we may have some further news shortly.

Hi Tim, thanks for these updates on here
Would I be ok to copy and paste this over as a news article on my small but growing www.ukraillog.co.uk website. I'm desperate to support heritage lines on there as much as I can via the Heritage Calendar and Heritage News section but obtaining news from railways is proving incredibly difficult which leaves the Heritage News section lacking a little! Happy for you to DM on here with any other news, or anything else you feel we can do to help.

 

[Tim Oaks]

Please feel free to make use of my post to spread the news.

 

[The_Train]

Please feel free to make use of my post to spread the news.

Thank you

 

[Iskra]

The Santa specials broke the record set the previous year with an increase of about 30% over the 2022 figures. The catering and commercial staff put in tremendous effort and have been left full of enthusiasm for 2024. I gather there are some new ideas in the pipeline, including a very special guest special guest for the 1940s weekend.

Immediately after Christmas the kitchen car was withdrawn from traffic for the fitting of a new kitchen to increase capacity and build on the improved results for 2023. Ben, Sam and the Carriage team are hard at work already. The other major component in the plan is the second LMSCA coach, which is progressing well and is hoped to be in traffic in about June; at the moment the LMSCA team are busy making seat ends and are surrounded by dining table tops and other seat components. This coach will be going into the shed as soon as a slot appears in the programme, after the pre-season checks on the running fleet.
The Duke entered service at the new year gala and has run very smoothly. The overhaul has taken 14 years and cost just over £300,000. The locomotive will require the fitting of a fire cement arch before it can go back into more intensive use service for the half term trains on 17th to 25th February; the cement is due to arrive on Tuesday 23rd January.

We have been very pleased to welcome Graham Bilby as our new permanent way manager; until very recently he was fulfilling similar duties for Network Rail and used to maintain the track on our railway when it was still part of the national network.

There has been some progress with the insurers who will be dealing with the lunch slip at Champion Lane, Duffield. At the moment our insurers are talking to the insurers of the neighbouring property and it looks promising though there is still some way to go before contractors can begin work. The Board are considering a particular course of action and we may have some further news shortly.

Great to see the railway succeeding in these times

 

[43055]

The Santa specials broke the record set the previous year with an increase of about 30% over the 2022 figures. The catering and commercial staff put in tremendous effort and have been left full of enthusiasm for 2024. I gather there are some new ideas in the pipeline, including a very special guest special guest for the 1940s weekend.

Immediately after Christmas the kitchen car was withdrawn from traffic for the fitting of a new kitchen to increase capacity and build on the improved results for 2023. Ben, Sam and the Carriage team are hard at work already. The other major component in the plan is the second LMSCA coach, which is progressing well and is hoped to be in traffic in about June; at the moment the LMSCA team are busy making seat ends and are surrounded by dining table tops and other seat components. This coach will be going into the shed as soon as a slot appears in the programme, after the pre-season checks on the running fleet.
The Duke entered service at the new year gala and has run very smoothly. The overhaul has taken 14 years and cost just over £300,000. The locomotive will require the fitting of a fire cement arch before it can go back into more intensive use service for the half term trains on 17th to 25th February; the cement is due to arrive on Tuesday 23rd January.

We have been very pleased to welcome Graham Bilby as our new permanent way manager; until very recently he was fulfilling similar duties for Network Rail and used to maintain the track on our railway when it was still part of the national network.

There has been some progress with the insurers who will be dealing with the lunch slip at Champion Lane, Duffield. At the moment our insurers are talking to the insurers of the neighbouring property and it looks promising though there is still some way to go before contractors can begin work. The Board are considering a particular course of action and we may have some further news shortly.

I was quite surprised how quickly the old kitchen was ripped out on the BSK after Christmas!

The Duke did look nice along with '78' and '80' at the Gala. It would be nice if a similar one takes place later in the year to take advantage of the longer days.

To add to the ever popular drive a diesel days the EVR are now offering drive a steam engine day.

WyvernRail plc - The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | Matlock

WyvernRail plc - The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth. 8,315 likes · 819 talking about this · 8,096 were here. We operate steam and heritage diesel trains on the line between Wirksworth and...

www.facebook.com

NEW FOR 2024! Introducing our range of Steam locomotive footplate experiences to go alongside our popular Drive a Diesel days.
Our new Bronze Drive a Steam Locomotive experience features mastering the art of firing a locomotive and trying your hand at the controls during a two hour session.
Our Silver Drive a Steam Locomotive Day features both firing and driving of a large steam locomotive taking it in turns with other participants, with a welcome continental-style breakfast at Wirksworth Station and a hot meal at lunch time too!
Our popular Drive a Diesel Day allows diesel enthusiasts to try their hand at two types of diesel train either side of lunch served at Wirksworth Station.
Experiences operate on a range of dates throughout the year with a selection available to book now. Find out more at http://www.e-v-r.com/dining-and.../footplate-experiences/

 

[m79900]

The railway has announced a tender for the 'supply and installation' of a new station building. The wording makes it sound temporary?

 

[Russel]

The railway has announced a tender for the 'supply and installation' of a new station building. The wording makes it sound temporary?

I saw that on social media, I noticed it was for Wirksworth, wasn't a new station building erected there around 2019?

 

[43055]

I saw that on social media, I noticed it was for Wirksworth, wasn't a new station building erected there around 2019?

The building from around 2019 is the museum and book shop alongside the new toilet block. What I think this is for is the 'other half' of the building which will then join up with the existing parts to create a larger station building.

 

[STINT47]

The building from around 2019 is the museum and book shop alongside the new toilet block. What I think this is for is the 'other half' of the building which will then join up with the existing parts to create a larger station building.

Yes that's correct. The foundations for the entire building have been laid down but only the book shop and toilets could be afforded in the first stage of work.

The next stage will provide a restaurant, which will replace the buffet currenyly being run out of the ex Gatwick Exprees MK2, a new booking office/gift shop and office space.

Once completed platform one will be extended to cover the area outside the new building giving a platform capable of handling full length trains.

When complete passengers will enter the new building through the front entrance, use the booking office, toilets, buffet and gift shops and then proceed through the rear door onto the full length platform.

 

[m79900]

Yes that's correct. The foundations for the entire building have been laid down but only the book shop and toilets could be afforded in the first stage of work.

The next stage will provide a restaurant, which will replace the buffet currenyly being run out of the ex Gatwick Exprees MK2, a new booking office/gift shop and office space.

Once completed platform one will be extended to cover the area outside the new building giving a platform capable of handling full length trains.

When complete passengers will enter the new building through the front entrance, use the booking office, toilets, buffet and gift shops and then proceed through the rear door onto the full length platform.

With the removal of the GatEx cafe, could that space be filled in to create a broader platform 2/3? A footbridge would be good too!

 

[STINT47]

ThWith the removal of the GatEx cafe, could that space be filled in to create a broader platform 2/3? A footbridge would be good too!

I'm not sure about filling in the platform. With regards to a footbridge it's unlikely. The current thinking is to reinstate the crossing at the south end of the platforms once the North end crossing become unavailable.

 

[Russel]

Yes that's correct. The foundations for the entire building have been laid down but only the book shop and toilets could be afforded in the first stage of work.

The next stage will provide a restaurant, which will replace the buffet currenyly being run out of the ex Gatwick Exprees MK2, a new booking office/gift shop and office space.

Once completed platform one will be extended to cover the area outside the new building giving a platform capable of handling full length trains.

When complete passengers will enter the new building through the front entrance, use the booking office, toilets, buffet and gift shops and then proceed through the rear door onto the full length platform.

What would the plan be for the building at the opposite end of the platform closest to the road bridge that currently houses the ticket office?

 

[STINT47]

What would the plan be for the building at the opposite end of the platform closest to the road bridge that currently houses the ticket office?

It's not been decided yet. There are various ideas that people are considering.

 

[31160]

How's 73210 coming along, don't hear much about it

 

[m79900]

How's 73210 coming along, don't hear much about it

There's updates on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Facebook page.

Is W55006's overhaul nearly complete, and will W51073 be started after?

 

[43055]

There's updates on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Facebook page.

Is W55006's overhaul nearly complete, and will W51073 be started after?

Didn't see 55006 today so could be in the shed. The running mk1's are around the yard at the moment, probably for a once over before the new season with some stock moved into platform 1 in it's place. Some work was taking place on the second LMS coach today.

 

[Russel]

Is there likely to be a DMU gala this year?

 

[43055]

Is there likely to be a DMU gala this year?

No DMU gala in the calendar but there might be something at the event in April.

 

[m79900]

No DMU gala in the calendar but there might be something at the event in April.

What sort of something?

 

[Iskra]

What sort of something?

The Bubblecar has previously featured working on the Ravenstor branch, so you’d expect that may happen again.

 

[m79900]

The Bubblecar has previously featured working on the Ravenstor branch, so you’d expect that may happen again.

Nothing major then.

 

[Russel]

Is the ex Chiltern bubble car still at the EVR?

 

[12LDA28C]

Is the ex Chiltern bubble car still at the EVR?

Yes.

 

[43055]

Landslip Update:

The plan is now to realign the track around the landslip to hopefully get trains running quicker. But the railway still needs help for this to happen due to the cost which is why @nferguso has set up the Go Fund Me page for the £30,000 required.

Donate to Operation Duffield, organized by Neil Ferguson-Lee

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has been a cherished attraction for both locals and tourists alik… Neil Ferguson-Lee needs your support for Operation Duffield

www.gofundme.com

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has been a cherished attraction for both locals and tourists alike, offering scenic trips along the picturesque valley, showcasing the natural beauty of our region. Not only does it provide an enjoyable experience for passengers, but it also plays a vital role in generating much-needed revenue for the railway and supporting the local economy.

Recently, a landslide occurred near the southern end of the line, disrupting the railway's operations and preventing trains from running into Duffield Station. This unexpected incident was caused by factors beyond our control, leaving us with limited options to restore the railway's full functionality within a realistic timeframe.

To overcome this challenge and resume full operations, our dedicated team of engineers has designed a plan to realign the track away from the landslide. This solution will allow trains to run again, providing passengers with the opportunity to enjoy the complete length of the line and revitalising the railway's revenue stream.

However, we cannot achieve this without your support. We are seeking assistance in raising £30,000 to fund the necessary repairs and realignment of the track. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant impact and help us restore the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway to its former glory.

 

[Trainman40083]

Landslip Update:

The plan is now to realign the track around the landslip to hopefully get trains running quicker. But the railway still needs help for this to happen due to the cost which is why @nferguso has set up the Go Fund Me page for the £30,000 required.

Donate to Operation Duffield, organized by Neil Ferguson-Lee

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has been a cherished attraction for both locals and tourists alik… Neil Ferguson-Lee needs your support for Operation Duffield

www.gofundme.com

I see the just giving page was already closed to £10000 earlier. Made BBC News

 

[43055]

I see the just giving page was already closed to £10000 earlier. Made BBC News

Now made it to half way. Update posted on the Just Giving page last night:

Good evening.

As I write this on Sunday 11th February, we are now two weeks into our emergency appeal and the response has been heartening to say the least. We passed the 50% mark just last night and a total of 229 people have kindly donated to the appeal.

By reaching £15,000 which has the potential to become £18,750 with Gift Aid, it gives us a firm foundation (pardon the pun) on which to start work. This week we shall be marking-out the path of the new formation. This involves surveying the site and using wooden pegs to mark the new centerline of the track. From there, the next stage will be to upgrade the drainage in the cutting. There is already a drainage ditch on the west side of the cutting, and this will be re-dug and, where necessary, piping installed. Fortunately, we upgraded the drainage in the cutting about twenty years ago, so we don’t have ‘downstream’ issues to contend-with.

Meanwhile, we are marshalling materials and equipment and that includes approaching local quarries to see if they might be able to donate some ballast. We will need approximately 300 tonnes of crushed stone and as the ‘retail’ cost could amount to as much as £40,000 you will understand why we are seeking donations from quarries. Fortunately, we do live in limestone country, so we’re ever hopeful.

I have attached a photograph of the worksite. To the left you can see blue and orange bags containing ballast (they contain a tonne each) which we placed at the foot of the landslip to reinforce the concrete blocks we installed at a cost of £25,000 last May. Where the photographer is standing is more or less where the track will be moved and to the right you can see the drainage ditch. There will be a lot of levelling work undertaken in the next few weeks.

You might be interested to learn that we hope to be on the BBC Radio Derby morning show this coming Thursday, 15th February. All being well, we will feature two or three times, so if you get the chance, please try and tune-in. It will be great to know our supporters are listening.

Thank you again for your support.

With best wishes,

Neil Ferguson-Lee
Chairman

This Saturday will also see the start of the season with a full week of operation for the half term. The Duke (top & tail with a diesel) will operate to Duffield Holloway Road whilst the bubble will also be operating the Ravenstor incline.

 

[m79900]

Now made it to half way. Update posted on the Just Giving page last night:



This Saturday will also see the start of the season with a full week of operation for the half term. The Duke (top & tail with a diesel) will operate to Duffield Holloway Road whilst the bubble will also be operating the Ravenstor incline.

Will the Ravenstor branch be served regularly now?

 

[nferguso]

Will the Ravenstor branch be served regularly now?

We’ll have to see.

 

[Iskra]

Looking at the roster this week, the EVR seem to be pleasing all markets, which is quite impressive. They're offering Wirksworth-Duffield Holloway Road with a top and tailed train including a steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive and then running DMU's on the Ravenstor incline too. I'm possibly visiting tomorrow depending on how I feel when I wake up in the morning, so it will be interesting to see what this offering does for footfall. Hopefully those asking for DMU operations earlier in the thread are able to support the railway by visiting too.