The Derwent Valley Railway is a might-have-been railway connecting the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway to the Dore and Chinley line betwen Rowsley and Grindleford, following the course of the Derwent river past the Chatsworth estate.
History
The Derwent Valley Railway was opened in 1855 as a branch from the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway from Rowsley northwards. The section of the MBM&MJR from Ambergate to Rowsley was at this time completed, but the section to Buxton had not yet been started. Â The line originally ended at Grindleford Bridge, but when the Dore & Chinley Railway was opened in 1893, an extension was granted to connect to this line which opened in 1896.
Alternative 1
The line was closed in 1966, but remained essentially intact until the DVR preservation society was formed in 1973, with a base at Baslow. The line was reopened to Grindleford Bridge and the connection to the Dore & Chinley lines was reinstated in 1990. Discussions are underway with Peak Rail with a view to reconnecting at Rowsley.
Alternative 2
The line remained open and often runs in the early years of the 21st Century.
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