INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR

RCD’s Overview

This heritage railway runs along the attractive Ecclesbourne Valley, conveniently located near Derby. It runs the entire length of the former Duffield – Wirksworth branch, connecting with national rail services at Duffield station (on the Nottingham - Derby - Matlock service). At 9 miles, it provides a fairly long ride by heritage railway standards. Initially a line specialising somewhat in heritage railcars, it also has a growing collection of ex main line diesel locomotives as well a small number of steam locomotives.

The support group is the 'Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association' (see 'Information on the Suport Group' below).

Happening This Month on the Railway

• Go to 'Homepage' and click into 'Railway Club Calendar'

Key Facts (where and when)

Extent of Railway (where to where):

Wirksworth to Duffield (Derbyshire)

Principal Visitor Centre:

Wirksworth Station (DE4 4FB)

Period of Operation*

- April and May: (Weekends and selected weekdays)

- June and September (Weekends and selected Fridays)

- July (Weekends and selected Thursdays and Fridays)

- August (Wednesdays to Sundays)

- October: (Weekends and selected weekdays)

- November: (Weekends to 12 November)

[* This is a summary. Please go to the railway’s website for definitive operating days] 

Key Facts (what you’ll see)

Services usually steam or diesel?

On a given day, exclusively steam or diesel locomotive, or heritage DMU

Type of Steam / Diesel Locomotives Used:

Heritage DMU, ex-BR main line diesel locomotive, visiting steam locomotive

Length of Line:

9 miles

Time taken for a round trip:

Up to 2 hours

Number of trains per day:

3 in each direction

Number of Stations:

4 stations

Prices:

Rover Adult: £20 Senior: £18. Child: £10 (discounts for advanced online tickets)

Time to allow for Visit:

2 to 3 hours

Museum:

Yes, at Wirksworth Station

Shop/Cafe:

Yes/Yes

Picnic/Play areas:

Yes

Preservation Established:

1992

Car Park Facilities:

At Wirksworth

Key Facts (Galas/Events/Dining)

Dining Trains:

- The Sunday Countryman

- The Classic Countryman

- The Countryman's Lunch 

Event Trains:

- Train Through Christmas Countryside: December 

Principal Galas:

- June: Mixed Traffic in the Valley

- August: Summer Diesel Gala

 Experiences:

- Range of diesel and steam footplate experiences

Contacts

Email:                                                                  ticketoffice@e-v-r.com

Telephone:                                                           01629 823076

Website:                                                                www.e-v-r.com

Social Media:                                                       www.facebook.com/groups/EVRwirksworth

                                                                              Also on Twitter/ Instagram

INFORMATION FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

Brief History of the Railway and its Preservation  

The line runs the complete length of the former Midland Railway line from Wirksworth to its main line junction at Duffield which opened in 1863 and closed to passengers in 1949. Limestone business around Wirksworth however thrived, and considerable freight traffic to the branch continued until 1991. In 1992 a preservation society was formed and in 1996 WyvernRail obtained a Light Railway Order to operate the entire length of the line as a heritage railway.

Steam Operational Locomotives:

(1) BR Standard 4MT - 80080

(2) Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 - No.3 ‘Brian Harrison’

(3) Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 - 2217 ‘Henry Ellison’ (out on loan)

Diesel Operational Locomotives/DMU:

(1) BR Class 14 - D9537 ‘Eric’

(2) BR Class 31 - 31 601 ‘Devon Diesel Society’

(3) BR Class 33 - 33 103 ‘Swordfish’

(4) BR Class 47 - D1842

(5) BR Class 73 - 73 210 ‘Selhurst’

(6) Thomas Hill Class 188c shunter - ‘Tom’

(7) Thomas Hill shunter - ‘Charlie’

(8) Heritage DMU (Derby Lightweight Single Car DMBS) - M79900 ‘Iris’ (on loan, off-site)

(9) Heritage DMU Class 121 Bubble Car

(10) Heritage DMU Class 122 Bubble Car

(11) Heritage DMU Class 101 DMCL - E51505

(12) Heritage DMU Class 101 - E50253 and E50170 and E59303

(13) Heritage DMU Class 108 - E53599

(14) Heritage DMU Class 119 - W51073

Diesel Locomotives/DEMU Under Overhaul:

(1) Heritage DMU (Derby Lightweight – early period) - DMBT M79018

(2) Heritage DMU (Derby Lightweight – early period) - DTCL M79612

Stored/ Under Restoration/ Out of Service:

- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 - 102 ‘Cathryn’

- Bagnall 0-6-0 - 68012 ‘The Duke’

- BR Class 14 - D9525

- Ruston and Hornsby Class 165 shunter - 402803 ‘Faraday’

- Rolls-Royce Class Steelman shunter - 10275 ‘LJ Breeze’

- Heritage DMU Class 101 - M51567

- Heritage DMU Class 121 - DB977975 and DB977976

INFORMATION ON THE SUPPORT GROUP

There are a number of means of supporting the railway, in particular through its operating company (WyvernRail plc) and though its supporting group, (the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association). As to the operating company, it is also possible to become a shareholder of WyvernRail plc. Go to www.e-v-r.com/shareholders  for details.

Name of Support Group:

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association

Annual membership fee:

Adult: £20. Senior: £12 Junior £12

Benefits of membership:                                  

-          Discounted fares on rail services

-          The opportunity to work as a volunteer on the railway

-          Quarterly magazine, ‘Ecclesbourne Express’

How to Join:                                                 Go to www.e-v-r-a.com/membership

What They Say About Volunteering:

We would love you to join us! Running a preserved railway is an interesting and varied task and we need your help. Volunteering can be very rewarding. There is an opportunity to make a real difference to the community, have fun doing a new hobby and make many new friends. Not to mention the added bonus of helping to build up experience in many areas. In reverse, you may have the skills that we desire to help further the project and make a real difference. There is no set amount of time for volunteering, whether it be one day in three months or several days a week, everybody is welcome.

How to Volunteer:                                               Go to www.e-v-r.com/volunteering

How to Donate:                                                    Go to www.e-v-r-a.com/fundraising

WHY JOIN: Help the railway financially and by volunteering

INFORMATION ON OTHER SOCIETIES WITH RELATED INTEREST

Those interested in this railway may also be interested in the following railway societies also listed on this

website:

Traditional Railway Societies:

- Midland Railway Society

- Matlock Railway Club

Model Railway Clubs:

- Belper Model Railway Group

- Alfreton Model Railway Society