5 Feb 09 - Getting through the snow in the Derwent Valley

The new hourly timetable came into its own on Thursday 5th February after heavy overnight snowfalls put the local buses off the road. Intending bus passengers found themselves dependent on rail which ran pretty reliably through the conditions. Pictured here are the mid-morning Nottingham-Matlock (Class 156 left) and Matlock-Nottingham (Class 153 below) at Belper.

A 'flying squad' of railway staff travelled to Matlock & back, alighting at each station to clear & grit the platform edge during the stopping time. Well done East Midlands Trains (& Network Rail?).  Unfortunately not all the additional custom was translated into revenue. The extra passengers travelling from Belper was more than the best efforts of the conductor could deal with & some got a free ride. EMT please note!