Peak Rail (Matlock Station) — Local services in Derbyshire Dales

Beware of the website! Clearly states 'back in steam' running from September. I checked information before traveling, including the calendar. Nothing to suggest it wasn't running on the day we selected. Decided to travel from Matlock. Car park directly next to the station. My husband run in to ask about train tickets but there wasn't anyone around to ask. However, there were many people on the platform so we paid for all day parking and headed for the platform. We couldn't work out how to get over to platform 2, so asked some other passengers, who we're picking up a train from platform 1. They said the steam train wasn't running anymore. Then another couple joined in saying they were looking for the steam train too, as the website said it was running. We both double checked the website and didn't see anything to suggest it wasn't running. We found our way over to the entrance to platform 2 (by Sainsbury's) and the gate was locked! There was a poorly printed sign on the gate saying the train only run on select days. Nowhere was this shown on the website. I then called Peak Rail and the phone rang off. I checked the website later and still couldn't find any information about select days they run. However, today after being promoted by Google to review Peak Rail I thought I'd look again and low and behold, they've added information of when they run (screen shots attached). If only this was on there a few days ago. No information at the station at all. Poor. A further note to those who purchase a transferable all day parking ticket, it can only be used at Matlock station and the agricultural centre car park in Bakewell....

Did the train ride from Rowsley to Matlock as part of a day excursion. The volunteers were so friendly and showed real enthusiasm for their railway and preserving its heritage. One of them gave us an informative little speech before the train set off. Our carriage was clean and well maintained with comfy seats and toilets at one end. You can get hot, cold and alcoholic drinks and light snacks from the buffet carriage. The journey was only short, 20 minutes each way, pulled by steam on the outward journey and diesel coming back, with a brief stop at Matlock when we could get out and photograph the steam engine. Was a bit disappointed by the scenery, not particularly interesting and obscured by trees for much of the way, but it was nevertheless a leisurely nostalgic ride into the past! The little station at Rowsley has an old-fashioned ticket office, toilets and a nice buffet and the gift shop is worth a visit and has a lot of new and second-hand books and magazines for railway...

I loved Peak Rail. I went on the 23rd of March 2014 and they had a special train coming in. There were so many people!!! The train hard was a bit disappointing though, as you could not walk freely onto it. The closest way to get to it was to take the brake car rides that were pulled by a shunter. The train was interesting as they used old carriages and a diesel loco on one end and a small steam loco on the other. The views are amazing as they give you a fabulous view of the Derbyshire countryside. It is quite easy to get to by train, as you have to take a train from Derby of Nottingham to Matlock, where the station is shared with the steam train rides and the public service. The public service also gives great views of the countryside and the mountain lifts. Overall a great experience!!! I would definitely recommend this to any train loving person. Definitely bring a camera and look out for specials on the Peak...