In the autumn of 2009, attention turned to Duffield. Up until then, it was fair to say that since clearance work took place in 2002, the single line into the platform had been under nothing more than care and maintenance; replacing the worst of the rotten sleepers and performing sufficient maintenance to ensure that the track remained in gauge.

‘Operation Duffield’ commenced in late September 2009 and had a single objective: to replace the entire permanent way from Duffield Tunnel into the platform and install a run-round loop in the same location as the branch siding that was lifted in the early 1970s.

The majority of images in this gallery were taken by volunteer Richard Buckby and provide a visual narrative of how the station area has been transformed.

This period has seen a huge acceleration in work at Shottle and Duffield.

At Shottle, the line right through the station platform was renewed in one concentrated exercise in Mid-May, while June saw extensive clearance works at Duffield, where the true potential of station site became clear for all to see.

Don't skip this one! This is REAL railway restoration: it's not all steam engines and tracklaying; without dry foundations, the railway would soon return to a state of disuse.

On 8th March 2008, we announced the 'Dash to Duffield': an ambitious plan to reopen the remainder of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, from Idridgehay to Duffield, by 1st October 2010.

This gallery will act as a narrative of the section's reopening, showing its evolution from an underused and neglected remnant of the line into an active and exciting community railway.

On Saturday 8th March 2008, we opened 3½ miles of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway from Wirksworth to Idridgehay.
To celebrate the end of a 60-year train service drought (the Wirksworth Phoenix services of the 1980s never stopped at Idridgehay) we held a gala weekend, kicked-off by the ‘Ecclesbourne Express’ 6-car DMU advance ticket-only special, followed by the Idridgehay Limited, comprising of a Class 03 and a single trailer car.
The day before, we held a dress rehearsal inviting some 150 guests from the tourist industry, local government, railway and press, in addition to BBC radio and TV.
Here we show images from that memorable weekend, starting with the Thursday when preparations were at full pace.
The majority of images are by courtesy of Robin Each, while additional material has been provided by Nick Wheat and some guy from WyvernRail.

From the autumn of 2007 to the grand opening to Idridgehay in March 2008, this gallery records the daily progress as the line from Gorsey bank to Idridgehay was restored.