Little Eaton Branch nr Derby

[Yew]

In the very, very long term, as far as Little Eaton its just about possible, but after that it would struggle to be viable and, due to infrastructure damage almost impossible north of Kilburn.

In addition the old formation met the main line at Little Eaton Jcn and thence formed the up goods line. That is still in use by heavy rail from about half way between Little Eaton & St Mary's and thus a new alignment would be necessary to take it, perhaps towards Pride Park, through a densely built up area of shops, factories and houses along Alfreton Road.

Taking a flight of fancy, we could have had trams from Little Eaton running over the GN bridge (demolished long ago) over the MML near Alfreton Road, over Skew Bridge (still extant) near Duke St with an interchange somewhere on Chester Green or, if the old GN Tunnel under West Parade hadn't been filled in, near to the Seven Stars pub on Queen Street... wow what might have been possible.........

So, in my humble opinion very, very unlikely indeed - a cycle way or pathway as suggested above looks about the only credible use for it.

Very unlikely, but I think the HS2 station at toton could increase the possibility slightly. I'm assuming that the NET will link up with it. and I'm sure that derby could support a tram network if it had the desire for one.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I have consulted Howard Sprenger's excellent book on the line (Rails To Ripley) from which I quote and paraphrase below and here are a few dates that may well be of interest.

The last train was scheduled to be on 16th April 1999 when 6T47 0835 Denby - Drakelow ran with a full train of 36 loaded MGRs but it was communicated to EWS's Control (where I was the Control Manager at the time - G0ORC) that there was enough coal left in the bunker to fill about half of a 36 wagon train and thus a trip from Toton was very hastily arranged for 19th April that year.

So hastily was it arranged that the train staff, which had been removed from the Token Machine at Little Eaton was in the safe keeping of the signallers at Derby PSB and in my experience and more importantly Nick Allsop, the signaller concerned's experience it was perhaps the only train staff ever handed to a driver from a PSB when the train of empties was brought to a stand at DY430 signal (outside of the PSB) especially for the purpose.

So the last commercial freight train with 16 out of 36 wagons loaded, a special trip to Drakelow, ran on the 19th April 1999, although technically it wasn't the last train ever as a weed-killing train ran up the branch in the following year. After that, road-knowledge lapsed and nothing else ever ran up the branch.

Thus ended 152 years of rail operation along the line. The connection to the main line at Little Eaton Junction was removed in 2002 and the line was mothballed in case a further use could be found for it but when this local order lapsed in 2007 we all though that was the end but it took until 2011/12 for the rails finally to be lifted.

I've just got home to discover that my copy of Rails To Ripley has arrived. As you say it’s a lovely book, many thanks for the heads up!

 

[CalderRail]

Very unlikely, but I think the HS2 station at toton could increase the possibility slightly. I'm assuming that the NET will link up with it. and I'm sure that derby could support a tram network if it had the desire for one.

The funding to link the NET to Toton has already been allocated (it's only about half a kilometre from the end of one of the lines already in the process of construction anyway).

Getting it to Derby runs into the problem that the NET is associated with Nottingham, and the Labour Parties of the respective two cities loathe each other. Derby Labour would say black was white in Nottingham Labour said otherwise, and vice-versa!

You've more chance of the Nottingham Suburban Railway making a comeback as a tram route than of the NET coming to Derby.

 

[RichmondCommu]

The funding to link the NET to Toton has already been allocated (it's only about half a kilometre from the end of one of the lines already in the process of construction anyway).

Getting it to Derby runs into the problem that the NET is associated with Nottingham, and the Labour Parties of the respective two cities loathe each other. Derby Labour would say black was white in Nottingham Labour said otherwise, and vice-versa!

You've more chance of the Nottingham Suburban Railway making a comeback as a tram route than of the NET coming to Derby.

Not only that but the route between Toton and Derby is of a rural nature which would not be suited to a tram operation. Not to mention the fact that the train and bus service between the two city's is very good.

 

[G0ORC]

I've just got home to discover that my copy of Rails To Ripley has arrived. As you say it’s a lovely book, many thanks for the heads up!

I think you will enjoy it - even I got a mention......

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

You've more chance of the Nottingham Suburban Railway making a comeback as a tram route than of the NET coming to Derby.

It is now 60 years since this railway closed with everything in triplicate:-
Three stations (Sherwood, St Ann's Well, Thorney Wood)
Three tunnels
Three lines to brickworks.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I think you will enjoy it - even I got a mention......

Yes I'd noticed that! In fact not only do you get a mention, you're also quoted!

 

[CockneySparrow]

I couldn't believe that NR were spending money on the branch.

It does happen, to prove a point work used to take place on the March to Wisbech line even though it had been disconnected for several years including painting level crossing gates even when the track at that level crossing was removed and tarmaced over

Reason it happens is that contracts and tenders are sorted out and signed well in advance and the contractors are simply fulfilling their obligations even though its pointless sometimes,

 

[IKBrunel]

Proposed for reuse as a cycle path.

bit more than a proposal at this stage. Derbys County Council are in negotiations with NR, solicitors are involved (presumably to draw up contract of sale).

I know some folk moan about using rail lines for cycle routes, but I see it as a good way to preserve alignments for possible future use so they don't get built on. Cycle ways can be diverted if need be since bends are acceptable, but demolishing structures built on old alignments becomes more complicated.

 

[CockneySparrow]

bit more than a proposal at this stage. Derbys County Council are in negotiations with NR, solicitors are involved (presumably to draw up contract of sale).

I know some folk moan about using rail lines for cycle routes, but I see it as a good way to preserve alignments for possible future use so they don't get built on. Cycle ways can be diverted if need be since bends are acceptable, but demolishing structures built on old alignments becomes more complicated.

Funny thing in this world could end up seeing a cycle path costing more money and red tape than an alignment with buildings on it

Sad state of affairs in this nanny compliance state we live in