The Derwent & Wye Valley Railway Trust (DWVRT) is a charitable trust limited by guarantee which supports the local railway heritage largely through fund raising for specific development projects. These relate to the acquisition, restoration and preservation of heritage railway buildings, structures, rolling stock and artefacts associated with the railway between Buxton and Ambergate so that visitors can appreciate, use and enjoy them.
The Trust undertakes various works with the help of Peak Railway Association volunteers. These have included the installation of a signal box at Matlock Riverside, visitor interpretation boards at various locations on Peak Rail, fencing, seating, notice boards and Midland Railway lamp posts on the platforms at Darley Dale. Other ambitious restoration projects include the restoration of a first class Mark 1 open coach, recreating a late LMS station at Darley Dale and developing proposals for the restoration and reinstatement of the original cast iron Midland Railway footbridge at Darley Dale.
New columns have been recast for the footbridge and fundraising for this project continues towards the target set for the completion of the work. Most funds are raised through donations, but the charity is also active in applying for grants. In recent years grants have been awarded for the refurbishment of the museum and exhibition at Darley Dale (Aviva Community Fund) and a major oral history project (Tracking our Heritage) recording reminiscences of people who worked on, travelled on, or simply watched the trains pass by before the line closed in 1968 (funding from the Heritage Lottery, local authorities and individuals).
More details of the work of the DWVRT can be found at www.dwvrt.co.uk.
The Derwent & Wye Valley Trust (Limited by Guarantee) is a registered charity no. 1109543 and a company registered in England and Wales no. 05285448
