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The Hayfield Branch was a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) single-track branch line that ran along the Sett Valley from the Hope Valley Line near New Mills Central to Hayfield via one intermediate stop, Birch Vale.
Contents
Opening
The branch opened in 1868 to serve the villages along the valley of the River Sett and the local mills. Passenger numbers were high especially in the summer months as the line provided easy access to the country.
Kinder Reservoir
A short-lived continuation of the line was built in the early 20th century to convey materials and workmen during the construction of Kinder Reservoir.
Closure
After the World War II, traffic slowed and eventually the line closed in January 1970.
The site today
The line was purchased from British Rail by Derbyshire County Council in 1973 and now forms the Sett Valley Trail.