Crich and George Stephenson's mineral railway

We returned to Crich this week, to try and follow the route of the now defunct mineral railway track built by George Stephenson.
George Stephenson is known as the father of railways, he built the first public line in the world to use steam locomotives. He was born in Wylam, Northumberland in 1781 and is buried in Chesterfield Derbyshire when he died in 1848.

The quarry at Crich Cliff incorporated a mineral railway which was constructed by George Stephenson in 1841. This railway was some two and. a half miles long. There were two inclined planes worked by wire rope, the steepest part, some 500 yards long, was said to be the greatest in the country, being a gradient of one in ten; the gauge of this railway was one metre. Cliff Quarry was closed down and the railway ceased to operate in 1957. Several reasons are given for the closure, one being that the edge of the quarry was now dangerously near Sherwood Foresters Memorial.

In 1857 the cross, listed as a market-cross, was then stated to be ancient. It was described by a local poetess, Ann Perry, of that time, as an old blackened wooden cross. That Cross was taken down and replaced, in 1871, by the present-day stone cross which was designed and made by a local man, Isaac Petts - to whom there is a memorial in Crich Churchyard."

Top of Crich Cross

Wheatsheaf  House where George Stephenson entertained his guests over a jug of ale.

Alleyway to the rear of the Wheatsheaf

Tunnel at the bottom of a private garden.

Back of the Wheatsheaf

Part of the route of George Stephenson's mineral railway.

This roadway leads over one of the old railway bridges.

St. Mary's Church Crich

Just note the thickness of this gable wall. We think a cottage has been demolished to make room for the road.

This is George Stephenson's Tramway Bridge on Coasthill

Just after the Coasthill Bridge there was a huge Arch that ran across the road to the Market Place. This was demolished and a housing development is now in the area.

George Stephenson's railway arch

Geoff in a private garden getting a shot of the tunnel

This is Geoff's photo from 2006

Crich fire station is opposite the start of the upper footpath

A view of Crich Stand, showing just how close the quarry is.

Ike

Looking over towards Wingerworth

 We had our breakfast on the lane next to the old engine shed.

Geoff having a chat to some walkers.

Chadwick Nick Lane Old engine shed

Some lovely views on this walk

This walk into Crich was like going into Dr. Who's Tardus. Small on the outside but when you get into it, surprisingly large. Trying to follow the route of the mineral railway through Crich was dogged by new housing developments and roads although there is still evidence there if you look hard.
Crich is well worth a visit with a wealth of history just under the surface.
Cheers
Jim