1962/08/12. Hasland MPD (18C), near Chesterfield, on Sunday 12th August 1962 contains a wonderful selection of engines, from 0-4-0ST No. 47004, several 4F 0-6-0's including 44261 and possibly 44463, a couple of "Jinties" (3F 0-6-0T's), several 8F 2-8-0's, a Horwich "Mogul" 2-6-0 ("Crab") and in the foreground a Standard 9F 2-10-0. Virtually all are in steam, being prepared for the following day's work. The shed roof had been missing for years!

1962/08/13. LMS Fowler 2-6-4T No. 42391 has just started away from its station stop at Dore & Totley with a stopping train from Sheffield to Manchester via the Hope Valley. Monday 13th August 1962.

1962/08/14, 1. LMS Fowler 2-6-4T No. 42391 approaching Dore & Totley station with a stopping passenger train from Sheffield to Manchester via the Hope Valley, Tuesday 14th August 1962. Wide-angle version.

1962/08/14, 2. LMS Fowler 2-6-4T No. 42391 approaching Dore & Totley station with a stopping passenger train from Sheffield to Manchester via the Hope Valley, Tuesday 14th August 1962. Cropped version.

1962/08/14, 3. Having just come through Totley tunnel, Fowler 2-6-4T No. 42391 pauses at Grindleford station with its stopping passenger train from Sheffield to Manchester via the Hope Valley. Tuesday 14th August 1962.

1962/08/14, 4. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76088 approaching Grindleford station with a stopping passenger train from Manchester to Sheffield via the Hope Valley line. Tuesday 14th August 1962. Wide-angle version.

1962/08/14, 5. BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76088 approaching Grindleford station with a stopping passenger train from Manchester to Sheffield via the Hope Valley line. Tuesday 14th August 1962. Cropped version.

1962/08/15. An unidentified BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 trundles across Headstone Viaduct over the River Wye in Monsal Dale with an up goods train of wagons loaded with stone, presumably from the Peak Forest area. Wednesday 15th August 1962.

1962/08/16. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92009 trundles north through Chesterfield with a train of iron ore tippler wagons, perhaps bound for Staveley or Sheepbridge Iron Works, Thursday 16th August 1962.

1962/08/25, 1. LMS 3F 0-6-0 No. 43249 is dumped out of use at Kettering MPD on the afternoon of Saturday 25th August 1962.

1962/08/25, 2. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92029 was the last of ten locos originally fitted with a Crosti boiler - a non-standard standard! These were not a success and the engines were rebuilt with the normal arrangement, though then re-classified as 8F. The engine looks as though it is not long out of works as it comes off the turntable road at Kettering MPD on the afternoon of Saturday 25th August 1962.

1963/05/11, 1. 34006 "Bude" at St. Pancras station with the RCTS/LCGB joint "North Midlands Railtour" which it worked as far as Derby, 11th May 1963.

1963/05/11, 2. Seen from the "North Midlands Railtour", 44804 is overtaking the special as it works a down fitted freight near Sundon! 11th May 1963.

1963/05/11, 3. Midland Mainline "Blue Pullman" between duties in the centre road at Leicester Midland station, seen from the coaches of "The North Midlands Railtour" run jointly by the RCTS and LCGB, Saturday 11th May 1963.

1963/05/11, 4. The view from the train as it crosses Headstone Viaduct over the River Wye in Monsal Dale, en route to Buxton. Saturday 11th May 1963.

1963/05/11, 5. View from the train looking back towards one of the tunnels on the line. I'm not sure of the exact location of this picture, but as there is a bracket signal of splitting distants a little way back, it is presumably approaching Millers Dale station or junction. Saturday 11th May 1963.

1963/07/21. BR Standard 3MT 2-6-2T No. 82036 has reached Dursley, end of the branch line from Coaley Junction on the Midland line from Bristol to Birmingham, and is now running round its train in the goods yard, watched by some of the participants. This was the RCTS special "The Gloucestershire Railtour" on Sunday 21st July 1963.

1963/07/27, 1. The view looking west along Monsal Dale from Monsal Head with the River Wye in the bottom of the valley. The Midland Railway main line from Derby to Manchester via Matlock and Peak Forest runs along the left side of the dale, Monsal Dale station visible in the distance. Saturday 27th July 1963.

1963/07/27, 2. During an outing whilst on holiday back in Sheffield, my mother admires the view of Headstone Viaduct from Monsal Head. The Midland Railway main line to Manchester via Matlock came out of Headstone Tunnel (to the left of this picture) and almost immediately crossed the viaduct over the River Wye in Monsal Dale. After closure, the trackbed became part of a pedestrian and cycleway, but one day Peak Rail may return tracks to this location. Saturday 27th July 1963.

1963/07/27, 3. An unidentified "Black 5" 4-6-0 drifts down the grade as it crosses Monsal Dale viaduct (also known as Headstone viaduct) over the River Wye and will soon enter Headstone tunnel as it makes its way from Manchester southwards with a stopping passenger train on Saturday 27th July 1963.

1963/07/27, 4. Looking up at Headstone viaduct from river level and facing towards Matlock. The railway plunges straight into Headstone tunnel en route to Bakewell. Saturday 27th July 1963.

1963/07/28. "Peak" Class 1 Co-Co 1 diesel No D143 (later Class 46 006) approaches Bakewell station on the old Midland mainline to Manchester with a Nottingham to Manchester express on the afternoon of Sunday 28th July 1963.

1963/08/02, 1. Members of my family take up most of the available space at Blackwell Mill Halt, supposedly one of the smallest stations in the country. The station was built to serve the small row of railway cottages which nestled in the triangular junction and was served by the shuttle trains which ran between Miller's Dale and Buxton, the two other sides of the junction having no station. Delightful Midland Railway lower quadrant signals protected the curve from Peak Forest Junction to Buxton, now the only track remaining at this site. The station closed in 1966. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/08/02, 2. An unidentified Stanier 8F 2-8-0 is in charge of a brakevan and has just passed Blackwell Mill Halt, supposedly one of the smallest stations in the country, as it works towards Buxton. The station was built to serve the small row of railway cottages which nestled in the triangular junction and was served by the shuttle trains which ran between Miller's Dale and Buxton, the two other sides of the junction having no station. The 8F is under the control of a delightful Midland Railway lower quadrant signal, the signal on the right protected the curve from Peak Forest Junction to Buxton, now the only track remaining at this site. The station closed in 1966. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/08/02, 3. An unidentified BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 battles up the grade at Miller's Dale Junction with a down goods train. It has just left Chee Dale and passed Miller's Dale Junction signalbox (which can be seen to the right of the end of the train) and is taking the main line to Peak Forest and Manchester. The line to the right was the line to Buxton, and Blackwell Mill Halt was behind the camera position. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/08/02, 4. An unidentified Standard 4MT 2-6-0 (or 4-6-0?) comes out of Chee Tor tunnels and heads for Millers Dale station in the distance, with an up stopping passenger train from Manchester to Derby. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/08/02, 5. Seen from above the first of the Chee Tor Tunnels, looking east back towards Miller's Dale station, a mixed goods train headed by an unidentified LMS Class 4F 0-6-0 is passing an unidentified "Peak" Class 45 diesel in charge of a Manchester bound express. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/08/02, 6. Seen from above the first of the Chee Tor Tunnels, looking east back towards Miller's Dale station, an unidentified LMS "Black 5" 4-6-0 is pulling away from the station with a Derby to Manchester stopping passenger train. Friday 2nd August 1963.

1963/10/13. LMS Hughes/Fowler Class 5 2-6-0 "Crab" No. 42896 passes Derby Station North signalbox as it enters Derby with 1X52, "RCTS The East Midlander No. 6" Railtour. The train had started from Nottingham Midland and was en route to Crewe Works and Horwich Works. Sunday 13th October 1963.

1964/05/22, 1. "Black 5" 4-6-0 No. 45447 has steam to spare as it slogs up the 2 miles of the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline near Vigo with a long train of 16 ton mineral wagons. It is being banked by GWR 0-6-0PT No. 8405 and a Cross Country DMU set is passing on its way down the hill. Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 2. GWR 84xx 0-6-0PT No. 8409 hard at work banking a train of mineral wagons hauled by "Peak" D161 on the 1 in 37 ascent of the Lickey Incline on Friday 22nd May 1964. These engines had replaced the LMS "Jinties" on these duties and Standard 9F 2-10-0's had replaced the Midland Railway's own 0-10-0 "Big Emma" banker No. 58100. Even the LNER 2-8-8-2 Class U1 Beyer-Garratt No. 69999 had been tried, but without success! Class 37 diesels later took over the job.

1964/05/22, 3. A heavy oil train from Fawley refinery to Bromford Bridge struggles up the Lickey Incline near Vigo with Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92218 on the front and banked in the rear by another 9F, 92230, and two ex-GWR 0-6-0PTs, Nos. 8402 and 8400 - super power indeed! They are making an all-out effort to get the train up the two mile long 1 in 37 gradient between Bromsgrove and Blackwell, Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 4. A heavy oil train from Fawley refinery to Bromford Bridge struggles up the Lickey Incline near Vigo with Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92218 on the front and banked in the rear by another 9F, 92230, and two ex-GWR 0-6-0PTs, Nos. 8402 and 8400 - super power indeed! They are making an all-out effort to get the train up the two mile long 1 in 37 gradient between Bromsgrove and Blackwell, Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 5. Almost at the top of Lickey Incline two trains are about to pass. Approaching the station at Blackwell is "Black 5" 4-6-0 No. 45264 climbing the gradient with a three coach local train, not bothering with a banking engine with its light load. On the left Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No. 92152 has just set off from Blackwell having stopped to "pin-down" the brakes on the wagons of its loose coupled goods train. Despite the fact it is going downhill, it has to work quite hard to get its train on the move with the wagon brakes on. It will stop again at the foot of the incline at Bromsgrove for the brakes to be released once again, which had to be done manually. Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 6. LMS "Black 5" 4-6-0 No. 44918 is not long out of works and has been repainted in plain black livery. Here it is blasting its way up the final few yards of the 1 in 37 gradient of the Lickey Incline from Bromsgrove as it approaches Blackwell with a train of mineral wagons. It was being banked by Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92230. Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 7. An all Great Western train on the lower end of the Lickey Incline. GWR "Hall" Class 4-6-0 No. 6936 "Breccles Hall" is the train engine and not in the best of health judging by the amount of steam leaking from the cylinders! The banker is fellow GWR 84xx Class 0-6-0PT No. 8405 giving a rear end shove to the northbound mixed goods train. Monday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 8. 6936 "Breccles Hall" is still pounding away at the head of the train and 84xx Class 0-6-0PT No. 8405 gives a hearty shove from the rear as they make their way up the Lickey Incline with a northbound mixed goods train on Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/05/22, 9. Ex-LMS 5XP "Jubilee" Class 4-6-0 No. 45641 "Sandwich" is really blazing away at the head of an express fitted freight as it storms up the Lickey Incline with an ex-GWR 84xx Class 0-6-0PT banking at the rear. Despite the all-out effort the engine has steam to spare, the safety valves having lifted. Just imagine that three-cylinder roar! Friday 22nd May 1964.

1964/08/15, 1. LNER B1 4-6-0 No. 61093 (shedded at Canklow, 41D) slogs up the 1 in 37 gradient of the Lickey Incline and has nearly reached the summit at Blackwell with a summer Saturday special, 1E68, from Paignton to Sheffield. It was being banked at the rear by 0-6-0PT No. 8405 and Class 37 No. D6922. Saturday 15th August 1964.

1964/08/15, 2. At Blackwell at the top of the Lickey Incline, an unidentified BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 has stopped for the Guard to pin-down the brakes of its loose coupled goods train. It is now having to work quite hard to get the train on the move again as it starts the two mile descent of the 1 in 37 gradient. Saturday 15th August 1964.

1964/08/15, 3. LMS Stanier "Jubilee" 4-6-0 No. 45622 "Nyasaland" gets to grips with the 1 in 37 gradient of the Lickey Incline having just gained a banking engine at the other side of Bromsgrove station, seen just beyond the bridge by the rear of the train. The banker is Class 37 diesel No. D6922, hidden by the tree on the cutting side. The ten coach train is most probably a summer Saturdays Only holiday special, though its origin and destination I do not know! Saturday 15th August 1964.

1965/02/13, 1. LMS rebuilt "Royal Scot" Class 7P 4-6-0 No. 46115 "Scots Guardsman" at Hellifield with 1X80, the RCTS "Rebuilt Scot Commemorative Railtour", which made a 55 minute stop here for passengers to visit the engine shed, at that time housing various stored preserved engines. The tour started from Crewe and went to Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle line, returning via Shap. Lovely sunshine, but a penetrating freezing wind was blowing! Saturday 13th February 1965. The loco is now back on the main line and has already visited Hellifield on several occasions!

1965/02/13, 2. LMS rebuilt "Royal Scot" Class 7P 4-6-0 No. 46115 "Scots Guardsman" at Hellifield with 1X80, the RCTS "Rebuilt Scot Commemorative Railtour", which made a 55 minute stop here for passengers to visit the engine shed, at that time housing various stored preserved engines. The tour started from Crewe and went to Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle line, returning via Shap. Lovely sunshine, but a penetrating freezing wind was blowing! Saturday 13th February 1965.

1965/02/13, 3. During the 55 minute stop at Hellifield for the passengers to visit the engine shed, the train was required to pull out of the down platform and reverse into the down goods loop so that other trains could stop in the platform. 46115 "Scots Guardsman" is just pulling forward and about to reverse with the stock of 1X80, the RCTS "Rebuilt Scot Commemorative Railtour" on Saturday 13th February 1965.

1965/02/13, 4. During the 55 minute stop at Hellifield for the passengers to visit the engine shed, the train was required to pull out of the down platform and reverse into the down goods loop so that other trains could stop in the platform. 46115 "Scots Guardsman" has just pulled forward and is now setting back with the stock of 1X80, the RCTS "Rebuilt Scot Commemorative Railtour" on Saturday 13th February 1965.

1965/07/04, 1. LMS 4F 0-6-0 No. 44269 shunts in the yard at Ashchurch with a northbound pick-up goods train, perhaps unusually running on a Sunday - 4th July 1965. Amongst other things, it seems Land Rovers were delivered by rail in those days!

1965/07/04, 2. BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75003 is in charge of a demolition train at Ashchurch, the ornate Midland Railway station building in the left background. The line from here to Evesham had been closed and was being dismantled, the steam crane in the train being used to recover parts from the signal bracket in the background. Sunday 4th July 1965.

1966/05/21, 1. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92077 pauses at Miller's Dale station with the RCTS "East Midlander No. 9" railtour on the afternoon of Saturday 21st May 1966, en route back to Nottingham from where it had started. Via a roundabout route, the train had visited Crewe Works and was a great day out.

1966/05/21, 2. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92077 pauses at Miller's Dale station with the RCTS "East Midlander No. 9" railtour on the afternoon of Saturday 21st May 1966, en route back to Nottingham from where it had started. Via a roundabout route, the train had visited Crewe Works and was a great day out.

1966/05/21, 3. The view from the footplate of 9F 2-10-0 No. 92077 as tour passengers scramble for photo positions to record the scene. The engine was in charge of the RCTS "East Midlander No.9" railtour from Nottingham to Crewe Works and is pausing on the return run at Millers Dale station. Unfortunately, I had to leave the cab before we set off again! Saturday 21st May 1966.

1966/07/17. At the northern end of Ribblehead viaduct, Blea Moor's distant signal is at "caution" on the afternoon of Sunday 17th July 1966, a gorgeously sunny day, but one seriously lacking in trains! The post of the signal is painted black & white, this signified that the signal could not show a "stop" aspect - this was introduced with the advent of colour light signals but was extended to some semaphore distants as well.

1966/07/20, 1. An up Class 105 Cravens DMU to Leeds carrying headcode B8 heads south at Selside on the Settle & Carlisle line on the lovely afternoon of Wednesday 20th July 1966.

1966/07/20, 2. The Midland Railway signalbox at Selside on the Settle & Carlisle line was a tiny affair with a frame of eight levers, four of which were spares! Nevertheless, it was usually open for 24 hours a day as it broke up an otherwise very long section of track. An idyllic spot on a warm summer's evening, but an altogether different prospect in winter! The slopes of Penyghent can be seen on the left of the picture. The signalbox was eventually replaced by a set of Intermediate Block colour light signals, it was removed and rebuilt at Steamtown Museum in Carnforth, where it remains to this day. Wednesday 20th July 1966.

1966/07/20, 3. The immaculate interior of the Midland Railway signalbox at Selside, on the Settle & Carlisle line, which was a tiny affair with a frame of eight levers, two yellow painted for the up and down distant signals, two red painted for the up and down home signals and four white painted spares! Nevertheless, it was usually open for 24 hours a day as it broke up an otherwise very long section of track. An idyllic spot on a warm summer's evening, but an altogether different prospect in winter! The signalbox was eventually replaced by a set of Intermediate Block colour light signals, it was removed and rebuilt at Steamtown Museum in Carnforth, where it remains to this day. Wednesday 20th July 1966.

1966/07/20, 4. The Midland Railway signalbox at Selside, on the Settle & Carlisle line, was a tiny affair with a frame of eight levers, two for the up and down distant signals, two for the up and down home signals and four spares! Nevertheless, it was usually open for 24 hours a day as it broke up an otherwise very long section of track. An idyllic spot with views of Penyghent on a warm summer's evening, but an altogether different prospect in winter! The signalbox was eventually replaced by a set of Intermediate Block colour light signals, it was removed and rebuilt at Steamtown Museum in Carnforth, where it remains to this day. Wednesday 20th July 1966.

1967/07/03. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48731 lets off steam as it waits in the rather weed-strewn Earles Sidings at Hope, the crew waiting for the road to allow them out onto the Hope Valley main line with the daily evening cement train to Ellesmere Port. Monday 3rd July 1967. By this time, this was one of the last regular steam workings in the area.

1967/07/11, 1. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48613 has just left Earle's Sidings and is slogging away on the 1 in 100 gradient of Norman's Bank as it climbs towards Edale with a train of cement wagons bound for Ellesmere Port in the late afternoon of Tuesday 11th July 1967.

1967/07/11, 2. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48613 has just left Earles Sidings and is slogging away on the 1 in 100 gradient of Normans Bank as it climbs towards Edale with a train of cement wagons bound for Ellesmere Port in the late afternoon of Tuesday 11th July 1967.

1967/07/11, 3. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48613 had left Earles Sidings a short while earlier and is slogging away on the 1 in 100 gradient of Normans Bank as it climbs towards Edale with a train of cement wagons bound for Ellesmere Port in the late afternoon of Tuesday 11th July 1967.

1967/07/11, 4. Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48613 had left Earles Sidings a short while earlier and is slogging away on the 1 in 100 gradient of Normans Bank as it climbs towards Edale with a train of cement wagons bound for Ellesmere Port in the late afternoon of Tuesday 11th July 1967.