Enjoy a ride on one of the more interesting and unusual railways in the UK. Not only is this ride on a class 142 pacer train, it runs down a line full of locomotives and rolling stock in various stages of restoration, there is always something to look at! Add that to the spectacular causeway the railway crosses and you are in for an interesting ride.
This version of the journey is 100% buffer cam, sit back and soak up the scenery on the Midland Railway Butterley as you enjoy this complete journey (during a heat wave).
Midland Railway Butterley is based in Butterley, near Ripley in Derbyshire and is a 3 1/2 mile standard gauge line offering a number of attractions in one location. Butterley Station is the entrance to the Midland Railway - Butterley, where there is a large FREE car park. The station building is the main admission point and as you step through the doors into the Booking Hall you begin your journey back through time. Train tickets are available from the ticket window on the left and the souvenir shop is on your right. As you pass through the Booking Hall, you will find yourself on the station platform, from where you can begin to explore or head down the line to Swanwick Junction. On operational days there is plenty to explore and enjoy at the Swanwick Junction Museum Complex: West Shed Experience (Railway Museum), Demonstration Signal Box, Victorian Railwayman’s Church and Country Park are always open, plus there many other attractions for the whole family. Limited refreshments are available from Deeleys Tearoom and there is plenty of space for picnics.
www.midlandrailway-butterley....
Of course at Swanwick junction you can also (for a small extra charge) visit the amazing narrow gauge Golden Valley Light Railway. Trains run on most weekends and school holidays from April until October. The journey runs through the Country Park to a terminus which overlooks the restored canal basin and the entrance to Butterley Tunnel on the Cromford Canal.
You can use this line to explore the Country Park or simply enjoy a trip on this unusual train. Stock for this project has been collected from a variety of sources including local collieries, brick works, with some vehicles from as far away as Poland.
www.gvlr.org.uk/
This video features a class 142, unit 142011, which has been restored to its 1984 livery of Provincial Blue. 142011 was the 16th Class 142 to be preserved (in 2020). Its last home was at Newton Heath (Manchester) under Northern Rail before preservation and movement to the Midland Railway Butterley in June 2020. It entered preservation under its own power, driven in multiple with 142013 (and a third set which continued south for scrap) to their new home utilising their active mainline connection.
www.thetouristline.co.uk