Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (EVR) August 2012

The third Ecclesbourne Valley Railway diesel weekend of the year, for the second time in a row featuring 31414 & 33035. This time, unlike last time, everything went smoothly throughout the weekend with both locos working the trains they were rostered to. The only exception being the 1355 Ravenstor “shuttle” on the Saturday, which was cancelled due to a split vacuum pipe, resulting in 31414 missing a trip.

Passenger numbers were down on the previous diesel weekend but it didn’t stop the railway giving the same service they always do.

31414 worked the following:

Sat 11th August – 1020 Wirksworth – Duffield, 1110 Duffield – Wirksworth, 1220 Wirksowrth – Duffield, 1310 Duffield – Wirksworth then 1425, 1455, 1525, 1555, 1625 & 1655 Wirksworth – Ravenstor Shuttles

Sun 12th August – 0955, 1025, 1055, 1125, 1155, 1225 & 1255 Wirksworth – Ravenstor Shuttles then 1420 Wirksworth – Duffield, 1510 Duffield – Wirksworth, 1620 Wirksowrth – Duffield, 1710 Duffield – Wirksworth

The above meant that it was possible to drive the 7 miles from Wirksworth to Rowsley (at Peak Rail) and sample both 31414 & 31270 at Peak Rail in the same day, on both days. It’s a sole destroying journey through Matlock Bath though!

Unfortunately 31414 was still suffering from it’s low power issues and all its field diverts coming in at the same time, which is a shame as the railway has gradients to challenge the 31 but it was challenged for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully this issue will be resolved soon……