The Peak Railway Association has had an archive collection since the 1980s which now comprises over 15,000 items of which over 8,000 are photographs mainly from the Peak Rail era. The largest items in the collection are some original railway signs. One of the oldest items in the collection is a copy of a passenger timetable for the route from 1852 and we also have goods invoices from Matlock for that period. We are always adding new items to the collection and these include information about the feasibility study for re-opening the route. Some items from the collection are displayed in the exhibition room at Darley Dale and from time to time we use material in displays at open days on Peak Rail.
We are always interested in adding further items to the collection if these relate to the Ambergate to Buxton and Chinley route. We do not collect general railway material or magazines. Items related to the line before it closed as a through route in 1968 are particularly welcome. We are also happy to have additional material from the Peak Rail era which started in 1975. We prefer to receive items as donations but are happy to discuss loans as well. We always assume the copyright for photos is retained by the donor and our use is for non commercial purposes unless you tell us otherwise. Please contact our archivist Mick Bond by either writing to him at 73 Helmton Road, Woodseats, Sheffield, S8 8QJ or by telephone 01629 258263 if you have something you would like to donate to the collection.
We have recently acquired a site office which is located at Rowsley South where the collection will be stored from some time in the summer of 2019. Please look out for further details on the website. When it is ready we will be able to accommodate visitors to view the collection on an appointment basis.