Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Wirksworth Station Back on the map after 67 Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WIRKSWORTH STATION BACK ON THE MAP AFTER 67 YEARS

 20 May 2014: The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is proud to announce, 67 years after its closure in June 1947, Wirksworth Station is now linked to the National Rail Network again enabling journey planning from any mainline railway station in the UK to Wirksworth.
The railway’s timetable is designed to connect with East Midlands Trains at the railway’s southern terminus at Duffield station and it is now possible for passengers to purchase tickets and have a seamless journey to Wirksworth thanks to the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.
Tom Tait the railway’s Commercial Director stated “We have been working for some time on this project I am delighted that Wirksworth is now a destination on national rail network in its own right and I am most grateful to our colleagues at East Midlands Trains who have supported this innovation. With the ability to purchase through train tickets to Wirksworth from any mainline railway station in the UK, together with our joint bus and train all day rover ticket with trentbarton, the town of Wirksworth will now enjoy a comprehensive public transport service which will make a significant contribution to the town’s aim of increasing visitors to the area.”

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Driver Retires after Twenty Years

Driver Retires after Twenty Years

A train driver has retired after driving on the Matlock to Nottingham Branch line for twenty years.

Local train driver David Bevington visited the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway to take the controls of heritage railcar ‘Iris’ as part of a retirement gift organised by Phil Helme, Driver Manager at East Midlands Trains.

David started his railway career as a guard before realising a boyhood dream of becoming a train driver. He is a keen enthusiast of both steam and diesel locomotives and has always wanted to take the controls of a heritage train. The visit fuelled David’s passion for a bygone era and he has decided that much of his new found spare time will be spent as a volunteer on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

Retired Driver David takes the controls

  About the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway:

Wyvern Rail plc has worked with the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association to reopen the Duffield to Wirksworth railway in the heart of Derbyshire.

The line passes through the beautiful Ecclesbourne Valley to the award winning and beautifully restored town of Wirksworth, nestling in the foothills of the Peak District.

The line is a time capsule, with its intermediate stations largely intact and the layout at Wirksworth virtually unchanged since the days of steam.

There are 9 miles of single-track railway, which meet the Midland Main Line at Duffield Junction near Derby. There are five station sites, two level crossings, a yard with extensive sidings and a mineral branch to the old Middlepeak quarry at Wirksworth.

Services run at weekends between March and October and midweek throughout the summer and are timed to connect with Derwent Valley Line services between Nottingham, Derby and Matlock operated by East Midlands Trains.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Press Release from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Just the Ticket!

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Poster launching at East Midlands Trains Stations to promote through ticketing and main line connectionsAbout the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway:

WyvernRail plc is working with the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association to reopen the Duffield to Wirksworth railway in the heart of Derbyshire.

The line passes through the beautiful Ecclesbourne Valley to the award winning and beautifully restored town of Wirksworth, nestling at the foothills of the Peak District.

The line is a time capsule, with its intermediate stations largely intact and the layout at Wirksworth virtually unchanged since the days of steam.

There are nine miles of single-track railway, which meet the Midland Main Line at Duffield Junction near Derby.  There are five station sites, two level crossings, a yard with extensive sidings and a mineral branch to the old Middlepeak quarry at Wirksworth.  Since 2004, 4½ miles of the line have been reopened and it will complete the reopening on 8^th April 2011.

For more information, visit http://www.e-v-r.com