Page "Derwent Valley Line" Paragraph 25

Meanwhile, the interest shown by the local councils, and public groups such as the Derwent Valley Rural Transport Partnership and the Friends of the Derwent Valley, has encouraged the interest of railway companies.

In particular, it follows the course of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage corridor.

The former Train operating company ( TOC ) Central Trains heavily promoted the line's tourist potential with a specially liveried train.

Another ex-TOC, Midland Mainline, extended some of its London-Derby services to Matlock, though these ceased with the introduction of the Class 222 Meridians which were too heavy for several bridges north of Whatstandwell which are in a poor state of repair.

However Network Rail has announced its intention to overhaul the line completely in 2008, reinforcing or replacing the defective bridges.