Ashbourne railway station

Ashbourne railway station formerly seved the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire

The original station was opened in 1852 by the North Staffordshire Railway on its branch from Rocester on its Churnet Valley Line.

The London and North Western Railway built the Ashbourne Line from Buxton. This utilised part of the Cromford and High Peak Railway to Parsleyhay.

The NSR extended its line to meet it in a new joint station built in 1899 and the earlier station became a goods depot. Unlike the earlier station, which had been of brick and stone, the new one was timber construction throughout, with platforms that would be decidedly slippery when wet. The station was built on a curve and shelter was provided by awnings which extended over the entrance. [Anderson, P.H., (1985 2nd ed) "Forgotten Railways Vol 2: The East Midlands," Newton Abbot: David and Charles]

From Ashbourne towards Thorpe Cloud the line climbed steeply through Ashbourne Tunnel, at 1 in 60. [ Bentley, J.M., Fox, G.K., (1997) "Railways of the High Peak: Buxton to Ashbourne (Scenes From The Past series 32)," Romiley: Foxline Publishing] Southwards towards Clifton Mayfield the terrain was more gentle, following the valley of the River Dove.

Regular passenger services ended in 1954, though excusions contibued until 1963. Freight continued until October of that year, the track finally being lifted in 1964

The track bed from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay was acquired by Derbyshire County Council and the Peak National Park in 1968 for a cycle and walking route. This, the Tissington Trail was one of the first of such ventures in the country. Later, Ashbourne Tunnel was acquired by Sustrans.

ee also

* Ashbourne Line
* Cromford and High Peak Railway

References

External links

* [http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/hptt/ Tissington & High Peak Trails - access and facilities]
* [http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/penninebridleway.html The Pennine Bridleway]
* [http://www.cycle-n-sleep.co.uk/photogallery/images/pennine%20cycleway/ashbourne%20tunnel.htm Pennine Cycleway - the Ashbourne Tunnel]