Whaley Bridge — 0 Gauge
12'00" X 2'00 up to 44'00"x4'00"
depending on which modules are selected.
This model is of the western terminus of the Cromford and High Peak Railway,
which was one of the first railways to be built in the UK, opening
1830/1831. Instead of linking towns, it was designed to link 2 important
Derbyshire canals — the Peak Forest canal terminus at Whaley Bridge and the
Cromford canal, near Matlock. Much of the track was built at altitudes of
over 1000 feet, necessitating inclines on which wagons were hauled by ropes
or chains operated by stationary winding engines. Some of these inclines
still exist, albeit without track, including the one at Whaley Bridge. The
Whaley Bridge incline, which operated on a gravity system with continuous
chains, was last used 9th April 1952 and the track was lifted in
1961.
The massive transhipment shed, built to move goods between canal and
rail wagons, was built in 1832 and extended in 1910. Over time the track
layout was altered several times but it is unlikely that steam locomotives
worked this area because of a very low bridge where the C&HPR passes under
the LNWR Whaley Bridge to Buxton line. However, in this scenario, it is
assumed that these problems were overcome.
The layout has
developed over the years and now includes Whaley Bridge Gasworks, Whaley
Bridge LNWR station and goods yard as well New Mills Goods Yard and can be
exhibited in a number of formats and dimensions.
