Peak Rail

About the museum

Peak Rail has its roots in the Peak Railway Preservation Society, founded in 1975, which opened a small site at the former Buxton Steam Centre. In the 1980s the group moved its headquarters to Darley Dale, and by 1991 it had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale. The route is part of the former Midland Railway line that once linked Manchester Central with London St Pancras and closed in 1968.

In 1997 the railway was extended to a new station at Rowsley South, built next to the site of the old locomotive shed, with a large car park and room for long charter trains. After the Matlock bypass was built, a new alignment took the line back to the national network's station at Matlock, so that today trains run about four miles between Rowsley South, Darley Dale and Matlock.

The railway is run largely by volunteers and operates steam and heritage diesel trains on selected dates, together with themed events, driver experiences and dining trains on The Palatine. A small museum at Darley Dale tells the history of the line, and an exhibition coach stands at Rowsley South.

Highlights

• Steam and diesel trains through the Derwent Valley
• Dining trains and afternoon teas on The Palatine
• Museum on the history of the line at Darley Dale station
• Exhibition coach and tea rooms at Rowsley South
• Driver experience courses

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum on the history of the line – A small museum at Darley Dale station depicting the history of the railway route through the Peak.
• Exhibition coach at Rowsley South – An exhibition coach and waiting room at the main station.

Operated by

Peak Rail Ltd

Admission & discounts

The return fare is a rover ticket that can be used all day. Fares apply on standard steam and diesel operating days; special events may have different fares. Tickets for the regular service cannot be booked in advance and are bought at the Rowsley South booking office or from the ticket inspector on the train, by cash or card (not American Express). Peak Rail takes part in the Explore Derbyshire scheme, which gives 10 percent off entry at other participating attractions when a receipt is shown.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A specially adapted carriage is available on all trains, with space in the main saloon for up to 2 wheelchair users and 4 passengers with limited mobility, entered by a ramp; staff should be told on arrival. Wheelchair users can reach Rowsley South, Darley Dale and Matlock Platform 2 stations. Accessible toilets and baby changing are at Rowsley South and Darley Dale. Well-behaved dogs travel free on the trains, kept off the seats, except on some special events such as Santa and dining trains; assistance dogs may travel on all services.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children under 16 travel free with a paying adult. Children's birthday and private parties can be booked, and the railway runs family events such as Halloween and Santa trains. Baby changing is at Rowsley South and Darley Dale.

Getting there & parking

From M1 junction 28, 29 or 30 follow signs to Matlock and take the A6 to Darley Dale; from Stoke-on-Trent take the A52 to Ashbourne and then the B5035 to Matlock. Satnav postcodes are DE4 2LF for Rowsley South, DE4 2EQ for Darley Dale and DE4 3NA for Matlock Platform 2. A multi-user trail runs between Rowsley and Matlock.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Rowsley South Tea Rooms on the platform serve homemade food made from locally sourced ingredients. The Goods Shed is the Peak Rail gift shop. Toilets are at Rowsley South, Darley Dale and Matlock station (fee payable) and on the train.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit