The Last Working Engine From Britain's Most Extraordinary Railway | Cromford & High Peak Railway

How did one of Britain's most extraordinary railways haul heavy wagons over the steep hills of the Peak District? In this episode we climb the famous Middleton Incline on the Cromford & High Peak Railway to discover the answer. At the summit stands the Middleton Top Engine House, home to the last surviving working winding engine from a railway that once relied on a network of nine stationary engines to conquer gradients that ordinary locomotives simply couldn't manage. Our journey begins at the foot of Middleton Incline, where the original winding wheel and cable pit still survive. Following the route of the old railway through dramatic limestone cuttings, we reach Middleton Top to explore one of Britain's finest surviving pieces of railway engineering. We also step inside the Engine House to watch the remarkable beam engine in motion and learn how these powerful machines hauled wagons between the Cromford Canal, the Peak Forest Canal, and the industries of Derbyshire. Along the way we uncover more surviving railway infrastructure, including original signalling equipment, fish-bellied rails, sidings and quarry tramways, revealing how this pioneering railway operated nearly two centuries ago. Today much of the route forms the High Peak Trail, allowing visitors to walk through one of Britain's most important industrial landscapes while experiencing the engineering that helped shape the early railway age. This is Episode 5 of our complete journey along the 33-mile Cromford & High Peak Railway, following its route from Cromford towards Whaley Bridge and uncovering the hidden infrastructure that still survives today. #CromfordAndHighPeakRailway #MiddletonTop #BeamEngine #HighPeakTrail #IndustrialHeritage #RailwayHistory #Derbyshire #LocalHistory #HeritageRailway #HiddenBritain About this series The Cromford & High Peak Railway – The Complete Journey follows the entire route of one of Britain's most remarkable early railways, from High Peak Junction at Cromford Canal to Whaley Bridge and the Peak Forest Canal. Across the series we explore forgotten inclines, tunnels, quarries, engine houses and hidden industrial archaeology, uncovering the stories behind one of the world's earliest railways. ********* MERCH now available here - https://ko-fi.com/wobblyrunner/shop Become a channel member - https://www.youtube.com/wobblyrunner/... Buy me a coffee - https://ko-fi.com/wobblyrunner Facebook -   / wobbly.runner   Instagram -   / wobbly.runner   🚩VIDEOS & IMAGES FEATURED: ********************************** I will always do my best to ensure correct credit for usage of photos, videos and media used within my videos. At the time of publishing, the original source/owner of the video/images is not always known. I apologise if these have been credited incorrectly or not credited at all. 🚩COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: ******************************* This video may contain copyrighted materials, the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner. These videos are made for purposes of criticism, comment, review & news reporting. Which constitutes the fair use of any such copyrighted materials. As provided for in section 107 of the U.S Copyright Law & sections 29 & 30 of the UK Copyright, Design & Patent act 1988. The fair use of a copyrighted work for purposes such as criticism, comment, review & news reporting is not an infringement of copyright. Become a channel member - https://www.youtube.com/wobblyrunner/... Buy me a coffee - https://ko-fi.com/wobblyrunner Facebook -   / wobbly.runner   Instagram -   / wobbly.runner