This first day of a very full weekend was kindly arranged by our local member Neil Lewis, although without his usual trio of young helpers as it was a school day. On their journey 24 members had passed flooded fields, overflowing rivers and also water filled potholes on the roadway leading to the Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick to visit two miniature railways within the site. Meeting at 09.15 under dark cloudy conditions (but at least it had stopped raining), the group walked the short distance to the first of the railways.

Butterley Park Miniature Railway: This is a 3½/5" gauge elevated railway of 1,320ft in a heavily engineered oval circuit with a curved tunnel running in open parkland boarded on two sides by trees.

On arrival two 5" gauge locos each hauling two sit-astride coaches were soon available for rides and hot drinks offered for a donation. 37410 'Aluminium 100' in BR large logo livery set off first, traversing the track anticlockwise, followed shortly behind by Class 25 7506 in BR blue livery completing two circuits (for overlap) non-stop before the next group rode. The sector plate that was secured for the continuous public circuit was now moved across for the quite lengthy elevated non-passenger carrying branch to the steaming bays within the circuit. We thanked our hosts for turning out at this hour on a Nov Friday. The visit finished with an unusual one way departure. Leaving the station area on the public line and then traversing the sector plate, it was off to the steaming bays behind Baby Deltic D5907 in BR two tone green livery hauling a further two sit-astride coaches. D5907 with driver and guard returned ECS (due to the falling gradient) for the next group with runs until all had been carried.

There was then a short walk over to the Golden Valley Light Railway, a 2ft gauge railway 1,400yd long. Starting at 10.30 it was now raining, so members chose to sit in the three open sided but roofed carriages with the middle open carriage left empty. [Nothing to do with the covered coaches being at the ends of the train, of course...] Simplex 60S364 b1968, 62hp ex-Campbells Brickworks, Staveley departed Butterley Park station by reversing over the first of many non-public sections covered, up to the loading line gates, before travelling back through the station for further reversals to cover the crossovers and the two approach roads up to the closed doors of the small loco shed here.

With all the Butterley Park terminus lines covered, we proceeded through Brands Crossing station and passed the running shed before entering Brands South Siding behind Brands Siding Halt. Reversing back onto the main line and running downhill beside fields, trees shedding leaves along the Golden Valley (which lived up to its name with the wonderful autumn colours) we arrived at Newlands Inn terminus and it was dry! The staff would not let us disembark until they had swept all the leaves off the wooden platform. Below could be viewed a remaining short section of the Cromford Canal and eastern portal of its 1¾ mile tunnel opened in 1794. Then it was into the headshunt before propelling back to the platform and along the siding, originally part of the main line until it was realigned in 2013. We returned to the headshunt but this time via the loco run round loop and, after further reversals, back to the platform. The Simplex then ran round with some members changing to the rear carriage before a third visit to the headshunt. There was then a spirited run back to Butterley Park terminus.



We walked the short distance back to the substantial 2007-built combined running shed and workshop which contained a good number and variety of locos and carriages in various conditions - not all were easy to photograph. Hot drinks and biscuits, very much appreciated, were available for a donation.

Suitably refreshed and stock inspected, Hunslet 7009/71 b1971, 28hp AD 34 ex-MOD Lydd Gun Ranges and small open wagon 113 ex-RNAD, very well filled with our members, covered all the track that we could in Bands South and North Sidings in three runs. Ashover Light Railway No4 was on Road 1 and participants boarded for some haulage and new track as battery loco Baguley Drewry 3703/74 b1974, 50hp NG24 ex-RAF Chilmark moved the coach out "for photographs" (...well it was a good excuse).

We profusely thanked our hosts for the much appreciated efforts they made for us during the longer than planned visit. Then it was onto the last visit across the Derbyshire Dales to Wirksworth for 15.00



























Wirksworth Miniature Railway: (open Saturdays 11.30-15.00) This expanding 7¼" ground level line runs 186yd south from the Duffield end of Wirksworth station alongside big brother, the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. A ⅓ scale 2ft gauge Kerr Stuart Wren class 0-4-0ST b1990 near Sheffield, propelled two sit-astride coaches to the end of the line and back for everyone. Then the siding and shed beneath Coldwell Street road bridge were traversed, two at a time, changing ends for maximum coverage. It was good to have steam on this trip and the loco gave a good account of itself. In fading light members dispersed. The railway is extending further southwards to over 440yd but the extension gang consists of two. One was recognised by some members as they had previously visited his garden railway at Duffield (now closed as he has turned his attention to this railway instead). Heads were turned as a passing road/rail Land Rover returned to Wirksworth following a track inspection on the EVR before passenger trains ran the following day, or was it the attractive young lady in the front passenger seat?









The original itinerary included a fourth visit, to Hall Leys Miniature Railway at Matlock, an unusual 9½" gauge. Unfortunately this had to be cancelled due to severe floods the week before. The railway's loco 'Little David' and coaches were sadly water damaged. Instead of having refunds quite a few members chose to donate their £5 fare to assist the railway with its recovery. A lovely email was received from the owner thanking us for our £75 donation - the railway hopes to be running again in the spring.

All participants are grateful to Neil Lewis for this well organised, interesting and very enjoyable day.