2. Railways

Tug Fest in the Peak District

This was my first visit to the freight only lines at Peak Forest and the route to Buxton and the nearby quarries. Heavy stone trains require heavy traction and the class 60 is in a class of its own. A real Tug Fest in the Peak District. 21/7/2004
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  • Silver Corus liveried 60006 arrives at Peak Forest about 1.45 hours early with 6H03 0947 Oakleigh to Tunstead empty BM JEA hoppers. A great opener for my first visit here.

    Silver Corus liveried 60006 arrives at Peak Forest about 1.45 hours early with 6H03 0947 Oakleigh to Tunstead empty BM JEA hoppers. A great opener for my first visit here.

  • On the stabling point at Peak Forest is the doyen of the class 60s, 60001 ticking over and waiting its next turn of duty.

    On the stabling point at Peak Forest is the doyen of the class 60s, 60001 ticking over and waiting its next turn of duty.

  • Another arrival at Peak Forest is Mainline blue 60044 with 6H60 0800 Hope Street to Peak Forest empty RMC JGA hoppers.

    Another arrival at Peak Forest is Mainline blue 60044 with 6H60 0800 Hope Street to Peak Forest empty RMC JGA hoppers.

  • The former station building is now used by EWS as their depot buildings. 60080 pauses as the driver had left the loco to go into the building. The loco is running round its train which is out of sight down at Great Rocks. The working is 6H22 1020 Tunstead to Hindlow loaded BLI hoppers.

    The former station building is now used by EWS as their depot buildings. 60080 pauses as the driver had left the loco to go into the building. The loco is running round its train which is out of sight down at Great Rocks. The working is 6H22 1020 Tunstead to Hindlow loaded BLI hoppers.

  • The driver that brought 60044 in is having a break and the yard driver has pushed the hoppers into the sidings for reloading. He then takes on a spot of shunting of 17 loaded MBA bogie boxes.

    The driver that brought 60044 in is having a break and the yard driver has pushed the hoppers into the sidings for reloading. He then takes on a spot of shunting of 17 loaded MBA bogie boxes.

  • With the MBAs stafely stowed, 60044 goes back into the yard to collect its next train, it has to perform a spot of shunting to form it up.

    With the MBAs stafely stowed, 60044 goes back into the yard to collect its next train, it has to perform a spot of shunting to form it up.

  • With the run round performed, 60044 needs all of its 3100hp and 106,500lbs of tractive effort to move its train on a rising 1 in 90 gradient in addition to the side friction of the wheel flanges on the curves.

    With the run round performed, 60044 needs all of its 3100hp and 106,500lbs of tractive effort to move its train on a rising 1 in 90 gradient in addition to the side friction of the wheel flanges on the curves.

  • The yard driver has handed the train over to the booked driver and 6E51 1235 WO Peak Forest to Selby gets away. The Mirrlees 8MB275T 3100hp powerplant in 60044 roars away at full chat as the train of several thousand tons starts to move on the rising 1 in 90 gradient.

    The yard driver has handed the train over to the booked driver and 6E51 1235 WO Peak Forest to Selby gets away. The Mirrlees 8MB275T 3100hp powerplant in 60044 roars away at full chat as the train of several thousand tons starts to move on the rising 1 in 90 gradient.

  • 60001 is now on a train, 6E56 Tunstead to Drax Power station loaded JHA former National Power hoppers. This train was delayed by several hours and carries lime for the desulphurisation plant at Drax.

    60001 is now on a train, 6E56 Tunstead to Drax Power station loaded JHA former National Power hoppers. This train was delayed by several hours and carries lime for the desulphurisation plant at Drax.

  • A mile or so down the line is Great Rocks Junction and 66168 passes with 6H57 1237 Ashburys to Dowlow Quarry empty bogie boxes. New class 66 locos are slowly starting to make inroads into the class 60's last great domain.

    A mile or so down the line is Great Rocks Junction and 66168 passes with 6H57 1237 Ashburys to Dowlow Quarry empty bogie boxes. New class 66 locos are slowly starting to make inroads into the class 60's last great domain.

  • Back at Peak Forest and the sun shines down on Load Haul liveried 60064 as it reveres its rake of hoppers into the quarry sidings. The train is a late running 6M17 1000 off Leeds.

    Back at Peak Forest and the sun shines down on Load Haul liveried 60064 as it reveres its rake of hoppers into the quarry sidings. The train is a late running 6M17 1000 off Leeds.

  • Returning to Great Rocks Junction which controls the entrance to Tunstead Quarry and the single line to Buxton and Hindlow and Dowlow Quarries. 60080 comes off the single line from Buxton with 6H23 1313 Hindlow to Tunstead empty Buxton Lime Company JGA hoppers.

    Returning to Great Rocks Junction which controls the entrance to Tunstead Quarry and the single line to Buxton and Hindlow and Dowlow Quarries. 60080 comes off the single line from Buxton with 6H23 1313 Hindlow to Tunstead empty Buxton Lime Company JGA hoppers.

  • 60080 passes in front of the rebuilt signalbox at Great Rocks as it runs round its train parked up on the Up and Down loop out of shot to the right.

    60080 passes in front of the rebuilt signalbox at Great Rocks as it runs round its train parked up on the Up and Down loop out of shot to the right.

  • 60080 has tied back onto its 17 JGA hoppers and takes the former down road to Buxton which now forms one of the two entrances to Tunstead Quarry.

    60080 has tied back onto its 17 JGA hoppers and takes the former down road to Buxton which now forms one of the two entrances to Tunstead Quarry.

  • Silver Corus liveried 60006 reappears at Great Rocks passing the other entrance to Tunstead Quarry. This working is 6F06 1535 MWFO Tunstead to Oakleigh made up of 22 loaded and heavy JEA hoppers.

    Silver Corus liveried 60006 reappears at Great Rocks passing the other entrance to Tunstead Quarry. This working is 6F06 1535 MWFO Tunstead to Oakleigh made up of 22 loaded and heavy JEA hoppers.

  • The driver of 60064 has been sitting here for a while and had previously sounded his horn in frustration at the signalman. But the line was busy with traffic coming off the branch and the quarry. 60064 is passes by 60080 which is running uphill to Peak Forest and the stabling point. The bridge ahead supports a pipe which used to carry waste in slurry form from Tunstead quarry to fill old quarry workings.

    The driver of 60064 has been sitting here for a while and had previously sounded his horn in frustration at the signalman. But the line was busy with traffic coming off the branch and the quarry. 60064 is passes by 60080 which is running uphill to Peak Forest and the stabling point. The bridge ahead supports a pipe which used to carry waste in slurry form from Tunstead quarry to fill old quarry workings.

  • 35 minutes after 60064 went into the quarry it comes off Tunstead with 6H96 1555 Tunstead to Bredbury, 16 loaded BM JMA ex National Power hoppers.

    35 minutes after 60064 went into the quarry it comes off Tunstead with 6H96 1555 Tunstead to Bredbury, 16 loaded BM JMA ex National Power hoppers.

  • The good thing about standing close to a mechanical signalbox is that the bells can be heard. And after such a warning 66168 reappears off the Buxton branch with its rake of 25 now loaded MEA boxes. This train is 6H52 1808 Dowlow to Ashburys and it will recess in the sidings at the signalbox at Peak Forest while the driver has a break.

    The good thing about standing close to a mechanical signalbox is that the bells can be heard. And after such a warning 66168 reappears off the Buxton branch with its rake of 25 now loaded MEA boxes. This train is 6H52 1808 Dowlow to Ashburys and it will recess in the sidings at the signalbox at Peak Forest while the driver has a break.

  • Back at Peak Forest and 60010 has arrives with an unknown working and sits in the quarry sidings with its train.

    Back at Peak Forest and 60010 has arrives with an unknown working and sits in the quarry sidings with its train.

  • The sun has come out again to shine down on 60058 as it runs in with a new working, 6M22 1217 WO Leeds Hunslet to Tunstead Quarry empty 24 JGA cement tanks.

    The sun has come out again to shine down on 60058 as it runs in with a new working, 6M22 1217 WO Leeds Hunslet to Tunstead Quarry empty 24 JGA cement tanks.

  • On the stabling point is 60080, 66168 and 60058 passing in front of the refurbished former Midland Railway signalbox. 60058 will come onto the stabling point and refuel.

    On the stabling point is 60080, 66168 and 60058 passing in front of the refurbished former Midland Railway signalbox. 60058 will come onto the stabling point and refuel.

  • Looking back past the signalbox and the stabling sidings with 60048 arriving with an unknown working.

    Looking back past the signalbox and the stabling sidings with 60048 arriving with an unknown working.

  • 60048 slowly propells its rake of 24 JGA hoppers into the RMC quarry at Peak Forest.

    60048 slowly propells its rake of 24 JGA hoppers into the RMC quarry at Peak Forest.

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    35 minutes after 60064 went into the quarry it comes off Tunstead with 6H96 1555 Tunstead to Bredbury, 16 loaded BM JMA ex National Power hoppers.
    The good thing about standing close to a mechanical signalbox is that the bells can be heard. And after such a warning 66168 reappears off the Buxton branch with its rake of 25 now loaded MEA boxes. This train is 6H52 1808 Dowlow to Ashburys and it will recess in the sidings at the signalbox at Peak Forest while the driver has a break.
    Back at Peak Forest and 60010 has arrives with an unknown working and sits in the quarry sidings with its train.