Steeple Grange Light Railway: These photos show glimpse inside fascinating Derbyshire tourist attraction – which history dates back to 1884

Nestled away in Derbyshire Dales is Steeple Grange Light Railway – a famous 18-inch narrow gauge heritage railway running through picturesque countryside.

The history of the railway dates all the way back to 1884 when a standard gauge line linking the Cromford High Peak Railway and Middleton Quarry was first open.

The line was originally built by London and North Western Railway Company and operated until 1967.

In mid 1980s the 18-inch narrow gauge was laid down and Steeple Grange Light Railway was launched, breathing a second lease of life into the once popular site.

Over the last four decades, the attraction has been attracting hundreds of railway enthusiasts to Derbyshire – with visitors invited to enjoy one-of-its kind rides in old manriders, once used to convey miners below ground, now carried across stunning countryside by beautifully preserved retro locomotives.

Staple routes include a 25-minute round-trip train ride up the main line to Middleton, passing through stunning limestone cuttings, together with a shorter trip along the branch line into Steeplehouse Quarry, internationally renowned for its shark fossil site, considered one of the earliest evidence of Neoselachian sharks in the UK.

The historic heritage line, is fully run by volunteers, who are often on hand to answer visitors’ questions about the local railways and fossils, which can be found in the area.

The volunteers also ensure that the lines, locomotives and manriders are in peak form – and bring in new exciting additions to the railway, including a recently acquired industrial railtruck, which was originally manufactured in 1962 at Dursley in Gloucestershire.

The Gloucestershire locomotive holds special meaning to one of the Steeple Grange Light Railway volunteers Gerald Atkinson – who first rode on the same railtruck 63 years ago.

Gerald, who grew up in West Sussex, used to accompany his dad to Keymer Brickworks and ride the then new railtruck on weekends.

Commenting on the reunion, Gerald said: “It’s quite exciting because it’s a part of my young childhood.

"My dad knew the manager up there and I think they had connection through the local church.

"They used to go out and discuss church business on a Saturday morning and I used to get sent off to go and ride on the 18-inch railway line there.”

The 1962 railtruck is just one of many historic locomotives and wagons under the care of Steeple Grange Light Railway, which is open to the public on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays from April until late September.

Steeple Grange Light Railway is fully run by volunteers and the team are currently looking for more railway enthusiasts to join them.

Any railways enthusiasts who wish to join the team can find out more via email at [email protected].