Place Dowlow Grid reference SK102678 Platforms in use 2 | Area High Peak 1920 Opened for workmen | |
Pre-grouping London and North Western Railway Post-grouping London, Midland and Scottish Railway Original company London and North Western Railway Similar Hindlow railway station, Hurdlow railway station, Parsley Hay railway st, Clifton (Mayfield) railway st, Heanor (GNR) railway st | ||
Dowlow Halt was opened in 1920 between Dowlow (hill now largely quarried away) and Greatlow to the south east of Buxton, Derbyshire on the London and North Western Railway line to Ashbourne and the south.
History
The line utilised part of the Cromford and High Peak Railway (which ran from Whaley Bridge to Cromford) joining it near Hindlow and proceeding to a branch to Ashbourne at Parsley Hay.
After leaving Hindlow the line began to climb at 1 in 60 through Hindlow Tunnel to Brigg's Sidings and its summit at Dowlow Halt. 1,260 feet (380 m) at the summit, this was the highest main line in England at the time. From Dowlow Halt the line travelled downhill at a gradient of 1 in 60 to Hurdlow.
Brigg's Sidings served Messrs. Briggs and the Dowlow Lime and Stone Company (later Steetley, then Redland Aggregates).
The halt itself was unstaffed with two short stone platforms and without buildings, since it was initially used by workmen's trains for the nearby works. It was opened for public services in November 1929. Passenger services on the line finished in 1954.
One section still exists, serving Buxton Lime Industries, and terminating a short distance further on at the Lafarge Dowlow sidings.