Peak Forest Tramway July 2016
ROUTE INFO:
The Peak Forest tramway was a horse-drawn railway constructed in the late 18th century to help transport materials between Dove Holes Quarries and the Peak Forest canal, which began at Bugsworth Basin. The barges would then convey it forth through Furness Vale and New Mills onward to Manchester.
The tramway ran its last truck in the 1920s and since then, the westernmost 2-mile portion between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Bugsworth Basin has became a footpath and bridleway, allowing hikers, cyclists, and...erm, horseriders to enjoy this historical industrial byway.
Heading east, the tramway path can be entered at Charley Lane in Chapel Milton, taking you for two miles along a tranquil pathway to the canal basin at Bugsworth.
The route, despite its age is not without relics - it actually prides itself in retaining the railways original stone sleepers for most of its stretch.
Several road crossings still survive, along with an embankment and an arch bridge on the approach to Bugsworth Basin. Here, an impressive array of former sidings still remain, along with original loading docks. One of the trucks meanwhile now has a home at the National Railway Museum in York.
Peak Forest Tramway July 2016
ROUTE INFO:
The Peak Forest tramway was a horse-drawn railway constructed in the late 18th century to help transport materials between Dove Holes Quarries and the Peak Forest canal, which began at Bugsworth Basin. The barges would then convey it forth through Furness Vale and New Mills onward to Manchester.
The tramway ran its last truck in the 1920s and since then, the westernmost 2-mile portion between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Bugsworth Basin has became a footpath and bridleway, allowing hikers, cyclists, and...erm, horseriders to enjoy this historical industrial byway.
Heading east, the tramway path can be entered at Charley Lane in Chapel Milton, taking you for two miles along a tranquil pathway to the canal basin at Bugsworth.
The route, despite its age is not without relics - it actually prides itself in retaining the railways original stone sleepers for most of its stretch.
Several road crossings still survive, along with an embankment and an arch bridge on the approach to Bugsworth Basin. Here, an impressive array of former sidings still remain, along with original loading docks. One of the trucks meanwhile now has a home at the National Railway Museum in York.