Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway


The Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway was a short, narrow-gauge railway located at Rowsley South at Peak Rail. It operated ex-industrial diesel locomotives and carriages.

History

The DDNGR was established by Henry and Mary Frampton-Jones at Rowsley South during the 1990s. They had accumulated a collection of narrow-gauge rolling stock at various other railways and needed a running line. At Rowsley South the area behind the turntable was found to be suitable and work started on clearing and laying the track. 1998 saw the arrival of the first items of rolling stock, and the two 40-foot containers used as engine sheds.
In 2001 the Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Supporters Group formed to support the narrow-gauge operation.
Initially, the main running line ran from Nannygoat crossing, through Parkside Station, across a level crossing to a buffer stop beyond where the containers were positioned. A loop was created at Parkside and various sidings laid to access the containers. Top and tail operation was the norm, with a locomotive formed either side of the carriages.
HMRI approval was gained for operations in 2004, and the first DDNGR passengers were carried on Easter Sunday, 11 April 2004. The railway operated on 44 days and carried approximately 1,400 passengers in 2009.
During 2018 - 2019 the track was lifted and stock sold. The site is now being developed by the Ashover Light Railway Society.

Rolling stock

Locomotives

All are, although some were built/rebuilt to different gauges.
BuilderWorks NumberBuild YearDetailsImage
Motor Rail435
3663		1917
rebuilt 1924		40HP Simplex 4wDM. Built for the First World War battlefield supply lines as WD 2156. Originally fully open, but later fitted with the armour protection. Rebuilt in 1924 by Motor Rail 3663 and re-gauged to and sent to St Kitts. Later brought back from Antigua and re-gauged back to.
Motor Rail45721929ex-Birmingham and Rea District Drainage Board
Motor Rail58531934Initially hired out to Merton Eng Co Ltd, Feltham via Petrol Loco Hirers Ltd and subsequently sold to them on 23 May 1934. It changed hands before eventually being acquired by Rev E R Boston at the Cadeby Light Railway in 1964 and subsequently sold to Pete Wood in 1974.
Motor Rail87561942ex-Joseph Arnold and Sons Ltd Silica Sand Quarries, Leighton Buzzard
Ruston & Hornsby3933251952ex-BR 85049, previously used at Chesterton Junction permanent way depot near Cambridge
Ruston & Hornsby4049671957ex-BR 85051, previously used at Chesterton Junction permanent way depot near Cambridge
Motor Rail220701960From the London Brick Co.'s Kempston Works, Bedfordshire
Ruston & Hornsby48796319634wDM, ex-Butlins, Minehead and Stanley Gravel Pits, Wakefield
Hunslet89171980ex Linby Colliery and Sutton Manor Colliery. Flameproof 4wDHF.