Description
Peak Rail is a heritage railway in the heart of the beautiful Derwent Valley, offering a nostalgic steam and diesel train experience for all ages. Running along a restored section of the former Midland Railway line, it provides a scenic and relaxing journey through the Peak District. It’s a fantastic family day out combining history, countryside views and classic railway charm.
Visitors can enjoy a 4-mile return trip between Rowsley South and Matlock Platform 2, travelling in lovingly restored carriages. The railway also offers luxury dining experiences aboard The Palatine, including classic afternoon teas, Sunday lunches and special themed dining events throughout the year. For something truly unique, the Steam Driver Experience allows guests to step onto the footplate and drive a steam locomotive on a full round trip. Along the route, you can explore stations such as Darley Dale with its small railway museum, and Rowsley South with its large site, turntable and tea rooms serving homemade food.
Ticket prices are simple and family-friendly. A Return/Rover ticket, valid all day, costs £15.00, while a single journey costs £8.50. All children under 16 travel completely free, making it excellent value for families. For enthusiasts, the Diesel Driver Experience is priced at £500.00. Dining experiences and special events are priced separately depending on the package selected.
With scenic countryside views, historic stations and the sights and sounds of real steam locomotives, Peak Rail delivers an authentic heritage railway adventure. Whether you’re a rail enthusiast, a family looking for a relaxed outing, or someone wanting to try a driver experience, it offers a memorable journey back to the golden age of rail travel.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Our Heritage Railway
- Step aboard a lovingly preserved section of the former Midland Railway line, once connecting Manchester Central and London St Pancras.
- Closed in 1968, this historic route now operates a 4-mile stretch between Rowsley South Station and Matlock Platform 2—a charming ride the whole family will enjoy.
- Whether you’re revisiting the golden age of rail or experiencing the sights and sounds of heritage locomotives for the first time, Peak Rail offers a memorable journey through the heart of the beautiful Derwent Valley.
Luxury Dining on the Rails
- Classic Afternoon Teas
- Delicious Sunday Lunches
- Special dining events throughout the year
Steam Driver Experience
- Ever dreamed of driving a steam locomotive? Now’s your chance! Step onto the footplate and take charge of a magnificent steam locomotive on a full round trip from Rowsley South to Matlock and back. With our expert crews by your side, you’ll haul a traditional freight train through the breath taking Derwent Valley – your hands on the regulator, your heart racing with excitement.
- Feel the heat of the fire, hear the hiss of steam, and experience the thrill of working a real locomotive just as it was done in the golden age of rail. This is the ultimate heritage railway experience for any rail enthusiast or adventurer!
Peak Rail Stations
- Matlock Station Platform 2: Our southern terminus, Matlock Platform 2 operates alongside the main line run by East Midlands Railway, whose termination point is Matlock Platform 1. This station opened in 2011. There is a small wooden waiting room and access is via a ramped footbridge at the southern end of the station or at the side of Sainsbury’s store. When it was originally opened by the Manchester, Buxton and Midlands Junction Railway in 1849, Matlock Station was known as Matlock Bridge. The station buildings, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton who also designed the Crystal Palace in London, were opened in 1850. The adjacent station master’s house again designed by Paxton was built in 1853/4. The station is now Grade 2 listed.
- Matlock Riverside: Once the Southern terminus point of all our trains, this station consists of a temporary wooden platform, together with small waiting shelter, unfortunately no toilet or car parking facilities are available here. Car parking for this station is available in the Derbyshire Dales District Council Pay and Display car park adjacent to the main Matlock Railway Station. The station is located about a good 10-minute walk from the main Matlock Town Centre, access to which is via the footpath alongside the riverbank or by using the A6 by-pass road a short distance from Sainsbury’s store and near to the A6 roundabout.
- Darley Dale Station: Darley Dale Station is our intermediate Station and is a Gothic Style building constructed by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway – later to become part of the renowned Midland Railway and later still the L.M.S. Adjacent to the waiting room is our small museum where on display from the Peak Railway Association archive collection you will find an exhibition depicting the history of the former Midland line between Matlock and Rowsley. A variety of old photographs, items of memorabilia, artefacts, posters and various historic documents are on show for you to enjoy.
- Rowsley South Station: Our northern terminus was opened in 1997 and is situated on the site of the ex-LMS and British Railway locomotive depot and is about one mile to the south of the former Rowsley Station. This extensive site set within 28 acres is the main base of all Peak Rail’s operating activities complete with a steam engine/restoration shed (not open to the public), 60ft fully operational turntable and is also the home to the various groups based at Peak Rail. Situated at Rowsley Station this turntable was originally built by Cowans Sheldon and installed at Mold Junction shed during March 1937, as part of the LMS shed modernisation plan following the appointment of William Stanier as Chief Mechanical Engineer.
2.86 miles
