Railwatch 077 - October 1998

North Midlands

By Malcolm Goodall

Sinfin branch The Rail Regulator gave permission for the closure of Sinfin North and Central stations, subject to the platforms being retained for 10 years. The rail replacement taxi service was therefore due to finish on 26 June, but was retained following an appeal to the Secretary of State for Transport by the RDS. Central Trains has, as promised, extended the 06.10 train from Matlock through to Pear Tree, returning at 06.59. This is a small step forward, but there is still no through working to Matlock in the evening. RDS urges Derby City Council, Central Trains and Rolls-Royce to make a fresh start and reappraise the line's potential for contributing to the local Green Commuter Plan, allowing workers to reach their factories without having to use the congested road system.

Newark-on-Trent The Lincoln-Nottingham line rail user group has campaigned for years to get improvements at Newark Castle station. At long last, the empty stationmaster's house has been leased to Mother Hen's Day Nursery, while the shell of the disused station building has been repaired and awaits a tenant. The goods yard and iron works adjoining were a major eyesore, but the whole area has now been redeveloped to provide new housing and a Waitrose supermarket. The old goods shed and the iron works clock tower are sensitively restored for new uses. Central Trains now intends to double the Nottingham-Newark-Lincoln service frequency to half-hourly.

Derby and Derbyshire draft Structure Plan The branch responded to this document, endorsing plans for various station reopenings, the Ivanhoe Line through south Derbyshire, and possible Robin Hood Line extensions north-west to Sheffield and south-west to the Erewash Valley. Greater use of the network for freight was welcomed, also the retention of disused trackbeds, and the potential of the disused Wirksworth line was emphasised.

Network management statement The branch also sent a response to this Railtrack document, welcoming plans for increased speeds on main lines, extra capacity between Derby and Birmingham, and a new Parkway station by the M1 at Kegworth. However, it was felt that improvements would be needed sooner than proposed. A freight loop on the Hope Valley would be useful, but reopening of the Woodhead route should be seriously considered. The branch pointed out the passenger potential of the Gedling line, which is included in the Greater Nottingham Area Rail Development Strategy.

Central Trains Local manager Les Bird gave an up-beat presentation to the branch meeting in Nottingham on 23 July. He described the direction the company is taking, its goals, key results, achievements to date, service improvements this summer, marketing plans, customer service achievements, current priorities, customer service culture, and the future. Members were pleased to hear of orders for new trains, plans for half-hourly services in key areas, and further unspecified new services in 1999. A lively discussion followed.

Peak Rail As a shareholder, the branch was represented at the AGM in July, and fully supports the aim of reopening from Matlock through to Buxton. Last year, Peak Rail made a small profit, and extended the line to Rowsley South. The company intends to concentrate on three main improvements this year: construction of a passing loop at Darley Dale, extension to a new station by the Railtrack one at Matlock, and construction of covered accommodation at Rowsley. Additional share capital and more volunteer workers are urgently needed to take these forward. A longer-term ambition is to extend north to Buxton as a 50 mph railway for conventional freight and passenger trains, in addition to the current steam tourist service. Negotiations on this are continuing with local authorities and others.

Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.