The Railway Station with the shortest life - Millers Dale to Blackwell Mill - The Monsal Trail

[@Steve-Cross]

I’m always amazed at the scale and quality of construction, of our industrial past. Things were made to look beautiful and to last. There was real pride in the work our ancestors did. Sometimes, I think I was born too late. It’s like we have gone backwards. Perhaps we lost our skills on the battlefields of the first world war. 😢

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Perhaps - but what about things like the Falkirk Wheel, Humber Road Bridge, Thames Tidal Barrier... I could go on. However there are some absolute eyesores built today, I must say!

[@Johnketes54]

Probably no greedy shareholders maximising the profits and building crap that looks good for 10 years and demolished after 20,

[@steadycamman1]

Hi Ant, Thank you for another AMAZING series, beautiful filming & narration, as always a beautiful music to go with it, can't wait for you next series, cheers, Pete.👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Pete thanks very much indeed. I've got another similar series being walked in December

[@whitespider8523]

Really enjoyed watching this, love the old railway film clips. Victorian engineering shown at its best in railway construction.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind and thanks very much for watching

[@lindamccaughey6669]

I have so enjoyed this series, sorry it is finished. Those tunnels were all stunning. You are brilliant. Thanks,for taking me along. Please take care

[@LeslieGotta]

Thank you Ant for another great video. I remember as a 14yr old coming back from a school holiday in 1957 we caught a steam hauled train back to St Pancras from a station who's name is blurred by time now. But your video brought back happy memories. Thank you.

[@alankennedy3398]

A fantastic story of what must have been a fabulous journey by train all that amazing engineering blood sweat and tears so deserved to survive .. must walk or cycle this route sometime .. keep up the great work !’

[@andywoody8528]

I was involved in the demolition of Cheedale Halt, this took place when BR had a line closure. We were very fortunate to be able to access the site by driving up the trackbed and through the tunnels. At the time the tunnels were protected by large steel doors, the Peak Park allowed to have access to a key. As stated the platform was repurposed and is now at Matlock Riverside. A regiment of the Territorial Army from Liverpool moved the platform as part of an exercise from Cheedale to Matlock

[@paulclark657]

I have really enjoyed this series. Several years ago my now late wife and I hired 2 ebikes and cycled the length of the Monsal trail and back and that was a day I look back on with fond memories and your videos have been special for me to watch. Many thanks.

[@garymutten4093]

A brilliant quartet of videos on an amazing lost line. Fantastic job Ant

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Gary thanks for watching

[@ruthbrierley1798]

I really enjoyed this series!

[@BecsterDotCom]

Brilliant vid again! That viaduct looks very much like the one we have locally - Cegin Viaduct. It’s on an active line (North Wales Coastline) but you’d never know about it as it’s also very much hidden by trees. You can walk underneath and the first time i saw it I was amazed! Amazing structure. Anyway I digress. Looks like a wonderful walk. The old photos of the trains coming out of the tunnels are fab! Always love seeing the old clips that you find. And you always use such emotive music! Would love to have been around back in the day.

[@Jimyjames73]

Hello Ant @ 4:08 At the top of the Limestone Kiln - you noticed that there are 4 small line of Rail - The Tracks 1 & 3 were used to tip more into the Centre of the Kiln & Tracks 2 & 4 were used to to tip more to nearer the edge!!! 😉🚂🚂🚂

[@NickB_Yorkshire]

Great series Ant. Really enjoyed it. Lovely to see that they’re investing in the railway even though it’s been shut for so many years. I wish they’d done something like that with the railways near where I am (the Hull & Barnsley) instead of destroying it 😢 Drewton tunnel would have been fantastic as a cycling/walking route with a bit of investment. Instead, Stoneledge, the quarry company have totally buried the West portal forever and destroyed all of the brilliant history of the line where some men lost their lives in its construction. Utterly devastating 😢

[@mikewiltshire1725]

Another cracking video on this amazing Victorian feat of Engineering - excellent stuff Lee😊😊😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching

[@haroldhorseposture9435]

You've had the smallest platform, and now you could have arguably the shortest tunnel, Peak Forest tunnel at Peak Forest jn. , all of 29 yards! Then again, depending on how you define a platform, the crew platform at Peak Forest is maybe 10 feet , without the ramp. I went from being based at the longest platform -Manchester exchange , whilst at Vic, to that shortie at Peak. Blackie Mill platform survives, but it's dense with tress now , you have to know where to look.

[@davedear929]

It's all been said by many peoples comments so all I will add is great watching.. very enjoyable ....many thanks Ant..

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Dave thanks so much :)

[@ianr]

Great final part Ant! The archive footage is remarkable. Chee Dale stepping stones are a must do.🙂👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching Ian I'll go back for the stepping stones

[@jetsons101]

Ant, this was such a great "Vintage Steam" watch. All the vintage B&W images and vintage B&W and color film footage along with your narration really helped to bring the story alive.

[@TrekkingExploration]

do lve it when i can find the old footage it really adds to it all. Cheers Mike :)

[@ffrancrogowski6263]

I travelled the line quite a number of times in the early '60s, and this section from Millers Dale station to Buxton Junction was very picturesque looking from the train down into Cheedale with its limestone crags, before the trees became huge. It was good of you to show us under the bridges on this section, and those supports at the side of Rusher Cutting tunnel, I dont think any passengers or train crews would have ever known they were there. I do remember an odd time when a passenger would probably request to get off at the very short Blackwell Mill platform. The signal box at Millers Dale junction didn't have any mains water supply, and so water was put in containers and dropped off from the crew of a steam locomotive from Buxton depot, but I gather it might have been the same situation for the other two boxes in that triangle, namely Buxton Junction and Peak Forest Junction. As regards the later Cheedale Halt of that 1987 period, I worked those Peak Rail trains a couple of times when I was a guard at Buxton, and it was the first time in twenty years that an 'official' passenger train ran down that single line. A most excellent video with archive film and photos, Ant. Many thanks.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Beautiful walk. Old and present photos amazing. Lovely video. Great viaducts. Thank you Ant. Superb filming and music.

[@bobingram6912]

Didn't want to hear - "this is the the last in this series"😢😢 It's been a fantastic journey Ant, thank you for walking it for me. That viaduct looked a lot better from downstairs. I'll let you off your camera swinging over the parapets moments🤢😱🫣😂😂😂 Looking forward to whenever you do another of these extended series wherever it is👍👍👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Bob, there is already one i'm getting ready to do :) That viaduct at the end, you never really see photographs of it

[@seanbroadbent7738]

Great walk with you, i am on my sofa with a sorely knee so dident get the fresh air you had😂

[@johnm2012]

15:12 Buttresses, is the word I think you're looking for. Rusher Cutting Tunnel is a tunnel through nothing. There's no rock wall on one side of it - hence the buttresses to counter the horizontal thrust of the arch - and nothing above it. The trackbed was built on a rock shelf cut out of the side of the hill, with a steep drop down to the river on one side and an even steeper rock wall on the other. That wall was quite likely found to be unstable and the tunnel's purpose was to protect the route from falling rocks and snow.

[@steadycamman1]

Thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you

[@robertwbeams9929]

Where was Millers Dale Station?! Loved the old film inserts Wonderful memories of this beautiful Line

[@TrekkingExploration]

Millers Dale featured in the previous video Part 3 Thanks for watching

[@jontaylor1652]

Thanks Ant. Another fascinating series covered brilliantly.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you :)

[@ShaunDay-v8d]

Ay-up Ant, great set of vids. You need to do the stepping stones in the gorge, absolutely stunning walk back to Millersdale from Blackwell. One of the best walks in the country, in my opinion. Keep up the good work..

[@raywood569]

Excellent set of videos, spectacular views along this glorious trail. The old pictures and film is nice to see but dose make me sad to see what we've lost. Thank you once again, hope you and yours stay well

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Ray. I've got plans for a similar walking series soon

[@mattlund8170]

Ive never known too much about this line and its been a very interesting series with all the photographs and the historical stuff you've said . So thanks ant another great video and series 👍 👏 👌

[@davidedwards5920]

What a fantastic series Ant and looks like a great cycle trail, another one for my bucket list. Thanks very much 👌

[@AntFlack]

Great video again Ant. If you want to do the stepping stones, try it in spring when the plantains and ferns are just coming up. It's stunning. You might get the odd kingfisher darting up the river.

[@Design2winLew]

Great conclusion to the series Ant !!!!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching 😁

[@petersnow389]

My wife and I have really enjoyed watching this outstanding series on the beautiful Monsal Trail, thank you for an excellent production. We have the Cuckoo Trail here, which we have both walked, and cycled on.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

An amazing feat of railway engineering in keeping with the magnificent Peak District it traverses. Thankfully it remains open as the Monsal Trail, and your splendid video's give us an idea of what it must have been like to those fortunate enough to have ridden the rails. Thank you.

[@archiebald70]

Brilliant videos of incredible history. Love walking the Monsal Trail and the river below. Such a shame all the work to build such an incredible line just to have it closed down. A lot of chatter locally ( Buxton ) about the line being reopened. We’ll see what happens there

[@carolinecleaveley-q1r]

Hi there. What a great adventure to go on. Thanks for the films. Caroline.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks so much for watching Caroline

[@TheShowgirl25]

There were some wonderful relics on this leg of the journey. Thanks Ant.👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching

[@ianbolton9309]

Fantastic series thank you for sharing the Monsail trail with us all look forward to more of your videos 👍🙂

[@johnspurgeon9083]

I definitely recommend the stepping stones!

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Amazing series and footage really enjoyed it. I have walked the Monsal trail many times so fascinating.

[@railwaychristina3192]

Usually walk from Millers Dale to Bakewell, so will try the other way. Beautiful video, thank you.

[@markeilo5065]

when you look at how we used to build and engineer in our past and see what we have today your like are we the ones in the stoneage the beauty of this line is staggering nowadays theres an halt or 100 billion quid for more of what we already have that serves no better except 3 minutes off lol take me back in time good work ant enjoying the content alot ty

[@Flossy_tops]

Beautiful - thank you for sharing 👍🍻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching

[@jessgerrard2792]

Another cracking production Ant. Thanks for taking the time to share all this.

[@dilwyn1]

Awesome Ant ... One of your best ever!! Thanks for all the effort with the old movies and stills and the still stills at the end !!

[@leeproctor7622]

Great video 😊 this line should never of closed I think it's the most scenic route in the UK. I think if it was open today it would be amazing. I used to work at Buxton shed in the 80s best time ever ❤. The peak rail rambler was I Great success but it was travelling on freight only lines. Just as a matter of interest it also went to newmillls central I lived in the station house at the time and I remember the train arriving and hundreds of people getting out bet you wouldn't be able to do it now. Also does anyone remember the Buxton to London Christmas trains.🎉😢😊

[@JuliaHopewell]

What an opening to a video! So beautiful ❤❤❤❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you so much Julia as always :)

[@aliendon73]

Excellent video as always. I bet the person you mentioned tricking into the river walk with you, was non other than Martin Zero perhaps? 😂

[@johnhercock5727]

Hi Ant , thanks for making these videos, they are amazing and brought back some great memories i have of travelling on this line back in 1968. Steam locos were still used to pull the limestone trains at the time when i was on my way to Manchester to see the last steam in the north west.

[@michaelmiller641]

Gosh! What amazing scenery! I didn't realise its so amazing! thankyou so much for that video series, Ant!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Michael :)

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Nice work, my wife was sat there waiting for you to say "That's nice!" all through the video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Ha ha ha do I really 😂

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@TrekkingExploration a little - usually as you're talking about something nice! And she likes your stuff too, two fans here!

[@andrewmatley7688]

nice one Ant so much on the line to explore iv been walking this route for 20 years thank you mate.

[@nickboden5866]

Superb Ant, you certainly know how to film these splendid locations. And your choice of music is superb as always. Look forward you your next instalment where ever you go.

[@ste.h9825]

Thanks Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching

[@johnburns5783]

Lovely insight into our industrial and railway heritage Ant. Your videos are well thought out and filmed 👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it John thank you

[@fastmail55]

Very nice!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks for watching

[@rickdeckard4213]

I love your videos A LOT, but when you're doing a 2 or 3 parter, you should put that in the header of your videos so we know what order they go in. Keep 'em coming. Ta.

[@TrekkingExploration]

The description should clear it up, for example Millers Dale to Blackwell Halt. The previous video being called Monsal Dale to Millers Dale

[@Harry-me1zq]

Living in the Buxton area now a cracking job, originally from Sussex any chance of cuts Beeching made whilst he lived in East Grinstead ? As for Victorian design (which sits so easy on the eye IMHO) pick and shovels, blood sweat and tears and a bit of dynamite, you have my total respect.

[@andrewmaurer6267]

Quality as always top man I’ve walked this many times star turn 👍👍👍👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Andrew very kind :)

[@a11csc]

absolute fantastic footage Ant,Brilliant series

[@christopherbentley5216]

Marvellous video. I can't understand how the can't reconnect the two ends, and run trains from London to Manchester again,to increase capacity. It's a no brainer!! Surely cheaper and more scenic than HS2😊

[@john-pu5uy]

Well done Ant ...been there many times... 1 of the best in the country IMO... Needs to be a Railway again but sadly cant see it happening... Cheers keep the super content coming... Wetherby to church fenton line could be a good 1 to do.... and a spur off to Harrogate could be on interest ...plenty of stations and good yard ect ect..

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

Ive walked into those lime kilns in 2014. Very eerie

[@TrekkingExploration]

It is a loveky little area. Thanks for watching :)

[@buffplums]

Excellent mate enjoyed this

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you

[@martindaily4943]

22:29 That's me with my grandad!

[@TrekkingExploration]

That's actually amazing 😍

[@petersilvester1315]

Very enjoyable series - I used to live in Matlock. You mentioned Rowsley a few times. I expect that someone has already mentioned that it is pronouced as Rose-ly, not Rouse-ly.

[@petersimpson7037]

best part of the line ant 🙂don't think much can match it ...

[@TrekkingExploration]

It's not often you see photographs of this end especially the viaduct

[@scmorton2370]

Story I heard when I was a peak rail volunteer was the army came to help remove the wood station now at Matlock the army wagons went though the tunnels to millers dale station to join the road at the time the tunnels were still locked up.

[@freddykrueger5159]

At the time of writing this 1300 views but only 255 likes, Come on people. Hit that like button. All the work that has gone into making this video

[@PhilStanyer-cd8bp]

It would be amazing if this line could be re-opened. I live in a village close to the Monsal Trail and we are overwhelmed by traffic and moving even some of this onto the re-opened line would reduce the carbon emissions we experience.

[@andrewmarriott4033]

They do ab sailing off that 1st viaduct did you see the markings on the floor it’s a fantastic trail can’t see them ever opening it again 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes there wasn't a bunch of young children and adults doing it when I went back past. Very brave

[@buffplums]

3:17 that water tank is a find! good job this isn’t down in the smoke coz some greedy money. Hound would have paid a few hundred quid for it and the land it’s on and then converted into an apartment and flogged it for £10m 😂

[@edscoble]

I'd love for it to open as a single track instead of double while keeping the path.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes it would be great. Thanks for watching

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Cheedale Halt could and should be rebuilt. It could easily be serve by a Sheffield-Buxton service.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It would be fantastic wouldn't it?

[@nigelkthomas9501]

@ Too right; and it wouldn’t need expensive disabled access as it would only be for walkers!

[@dav1mic]

It would have been useful to take cars off roads and help congested rail routes

[@TrekkingExploration]

It certainly would

[@MichealRandall-q2x]

When England was built for the English