Cromford and High Peak Railway

A series of 9 inclines used to travel over the Peak District on this 33 mile railway, the most noteworthy was Hopton which used a stationary steam engine to haul trains, it was replaced in 1887 with locomotives which traveled up the steepest railway in the UK (adhesion) at 1:14, the railway closed in 1967. Another called Sheep pasture was the site of a runaway which shot two wagons over a canal. Whaley Bridge incline closed in 1952 was the smallest with a 40ft rise at a 1:13.5 incline used an endless chain hauled by two beam engines (steam powered) at the Middleton top engine house. 17 miles of the railway is now the High Peak Trail

Cromford Incline

NGR SK312560

Incorporated into the Sheep pasture incline

Sheep pasture incline

NGR SK312560

Gradient 1 in 8.5, 3/4 mile long sheep pasture incline which is 1:9 for the first ½ a mile then 1:8 for the final section. A section of track is preserved. Info boards are present.

Sheep Pasture Incline Sheep Pasture Incline

Wirksworth Incline

NGR SK 285549

A connection to the Midland railway at Winksworth by way of a cable worked incline. This incline railway in a cutting into a siding next to the Midland line from Duffield to Winkworth.

A section of track and several wagons are preserved along with the bridge, Info boards are present.

Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline Wirksworth Incline

Middleton Incline

NGR SK275549

The winding house and its engines are preserved at the visitors centre along with some track and a wagon. Gradient 1 in 8.5, 708 yds long

Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline

Hopton Incline

NGR SK256545

Now part of a path, some Info boards are present.

Gradient 1 in 14, 1/8 mile long converted to adhesion in 1877

Hopton Incline Hopton Incline

Hurdlow Incline

NGR SK122660

1 in 16, 850 yds long, stopped running in 1869. A bridge over it is still present.

Hurdlow Incline Hurdlow Incline Hurdlow Incline Hurdlow Incline

Bunsall Incline

NGR SK020755

Gradient 1 in 7.5, 5/8 mile long. It originall ran as two inclines the upper one 660yds long with a gradient of 1 in 7.5. The lower one was 455 long with a 1 in 7 gradient. They were combined in 1857. It is now a road.

Bunsall Incline Bunsall Incline Bunsall Incline

Shallcross Incline

NGR SK016799

Gradient 1 in 10.5, 817 yds long, now on the edge of a field.

Shallcross Incline

Whaley Bridge Incline

NGR SK013813

Horse Powered, Gradient 1 in 18.5, 180 yds long, closed in 1952. It can easily be traced from the canal basin, a section of track is preserved. Info boards are present.

Whaley Bridge Incline Whaley Bridge Incline

OldPhoto's

Sheep Pasture Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Middleton Incline Sheep pasture Incline Middleton Top

Many Thanks to the Wirksworth website for the photo's