Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Heritage railway in Derbyshire, England
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a heritage line that connects Wirksworth and Duffield across roughly 9 miles through Derbyshire. The route follows the Ecclesbourne river valley and stops at several intermediate stations along the way.
The line gained Parliamentary approval in 1863 and began operations in 1867 as part of the industrial expansion in the region. It later closed to regular service, but volunteers restored it as a heritage operation.
The railway displays collections of railway artifacts and memorabilia at Wirksworth Station, telling the story of how British train travel evolved over time. You can see objects that show what journeys were like for passengers in different eras.
Trains operate on variable schedules depending on the season, so check ahead before visiting. The line can be quite busy on weekends and school holidays.
Wirksworth station includes a restored dining carriage where passengers can enjoy traditional British meals during stops. This offers a genuine taste of how travelers experienced rail journeys in the past.
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