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TheDerbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway (DDNGR) was a short,2 ft (610 mm)narrow-gauge railway located atRowsley South[1] atPeak Rail. It operated ex-industrialdiesel locomotives and carriages.
The DDNGR was established by Henry and Mary Frampton-Jones at Rowsley South during the 1990s.[2] 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 two40-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 onEaster Sunday, 11 April 2004. The railway operated on 44 days (mostly Sundays) and carried approximately 1,400 passengers in 2009.[citation needed]
During 2018 - 2019 the track was lifted and stock sold. The site is now being developed by the Ashover Light Railway Society.
All are2 ft (610 mm), although some were built/rebuilt to different gauges.[3]
| Builder | Works Number | Build Year | Details | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Rail | 435 3663 | 1917 rebuilt 1924 | 40HP Simplex4wDM. 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 to2 ft 6 in (762 mm) and sent toSt Kitts. Later brought back fromAntigua and re-gauged back to2 ft (610 mm).[4] | |
| Motor Rail | 4572 | 1929 | ex-Birmingham and Rea District Drainage Board (Water Orton)[2] | |
| Motor Rail | 5853 | 1934 | Initially hired out to Merton Eng Co Ltd, Feltham via Petrol Loco Hirers Ltd (a Motor Rail subsidiary) and sold to them on 23 May 1934. It changed hands before eventually being acquired byRev E R (Teddy) Boston at theCadeby Light Railway in 1964. It was sold to Pete Wood in 1974.[4] | |
| Motor Rail | 8756 | 1942 | ex-Joseph Arnold and Sons Ltd Silica Sand Quarries,Leighton Buzzard[2] | |
| Ruston & Hornsby | 393325 | 1952 | ex-BR 85049, previously used atChesterton Junction permanent way depot nearCambridge[2] Now based at the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre | |
| Ruston & Hornsby | 404967 | 1957 | ex-BR 85051, previously used at Chesterton Junction permanent way depot near Cambridge[2] Now owned by the Ashover Light Railway Society |  |
| Motor Rail | 22070 | 1960 | From theLondon Brick Co.'s Kempston Works, Bedfordshire[2] | |
| Ruston & Hornsby | 487963 | 1963 | 4wDM, ex-Butlins,Minehead and Stanley Gravel Pits,Wakefield[2] | |
| Hunslet | 8917 | 1980 | exLinby Colliery (Nottingham) andSutton Manor Colliery (Lancashire).Flameproof 4wDHF.[2] Now owned by the Ashover Light Railway Society |
53°10′29″N1°36′34″W / 53.1746°N 1.6095°W /53.1746; -1.6095
