Monument record MDR540 - Chapel-en-le-Frith Inclined Plane (site of), Peak Forest Tramway, Chapel-en-le-Frith
Type and Period (2)
- INCLINED PLANE (Georgian to Victorian - 1795 AD to 1900 AD)
- TRAMWAY (Georgian to Victorian - 1795 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
SK 068 803: Top O'th' Plain, Tramway Incline: 512 yard long inclined plane rising through 209 feet (centred at SK 06688058) which was worked by gravity; the weight of the descending trucks raising those at the bottom of the ascent by means of a chain passed around a 10ft diameter wheel at the top of the incline. (1-3). Sleeper stones still in position in earthworks- demolished 1927. Remains include a stone revetment supporting an embankment on the east side, and a flight of stone steps leads down to the neighbouring field The L-shaped building at the top of the incline, with two arched entrances and arched windows was an engine shed. It opens onto a terrace which carried shunting lines opening onto the main tramway where it curves off to Dove Holes. (4)
Between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Dove Holes, is a shoulder of high land; the northern extremity rising 200 feet (60.96 metres) at a gradient of 1:8 and 1:6 for a distance of 520 yards (475.4 metres). The incline takes the tramway from the 725' (220.98 metres) contour upto the 925' (281.94 metres) contour. At the summit were extensive yards, blacksmiths, carpenters shops and stables; at the foot were also extensive yards, warehouses, stables, yard office and cranes. Only earthworks and some sleeper stones were still visible in 1965; all other fittings were destroyed around 1928.
The buildings and tramway layout date from the building of the tramway. The officer's house was built first followed by the brakeman's tower and incline drum, then the carpenters/blacksmiths shops. The incline has always been double-tracked and the only modification to the track was when the whole tramway was re-laid with 9' (2.7 metres) steel plate-rail in place of the original 3' (0.9 metres) plate-rail.
The incline was unique in so far at it was self-acting, loaded wagons going down were balanced by empty wagons going up. All that was necessary was a free running of the incline rope. (5)
Built in 1795 to 1796. Substantial remains of upper part of incline; lower section built upon. Also milestone 18 understood to survive here. (6)
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SDR3182 Bibliographic reference: Baxter, B. 1966. Stone Blocks and Iron Rails.
- <2> SDR6994 Bibliographic reference: Harris, H. 1971. Industrial Archaeology of the Peak District. pp 65-66.
- <3> SDR3355 Bibliographic reference: Bracegirdle, B. 1974: Arch. of Indust. Rev., p.42..
- <4> SDR14708 Index: NDAT. NDAT: 2698.. 2698.
- <5> SDR19111 Index: Council for British Archaeology (CBA). CBA Industrial Archaeology Report Card. Top'o'th'Plane Incline, 1965 (including sketch plans).
- <6> SDR19632 Unpublished document: Duckworth, S, Jessop, O and A Badcock (ARCUS). 2006. Conservation Management Plan, Peak Forest Tramway, Derbyshire. Feature No. 33.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 067 805 (136m by 287m) (Centre) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | CHAPEL EN LE FRITH, HIGH PEAK, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR2263
- EDR3300
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Sep 28 2015 12:44PM