Gotham Curve

[8] Initially, trains through the curve were horse-drawn, but the intention, as enshrined in the enabling legislation, was also to use steam locomotives, the first of which started work in 1833.

[10] Diesel shunter 12006 was tested through the curve in 1959, but was considered unsuitable, largely because it was barely able to climb the line's other extreme feature, the Hopton Incline.

Only short wheelbase wagons, tenders and brake vans were permitted and few locomotives could negotiate the extreme curvature without putting machine and track under unacceptable strain.

[17] Starting in 1931 several NLR 0-6-0Ts were moved from the London area to the line, remaining there until 1956, when they were progressively displaced by a small fleet of J94 0-6-0STs, which worked the stretch until closure.

Both classes of locomotive, despite having six-coupled wheels, were specifically designed for low-speed, high power dock and shunting work, where they could encounter severe curves and gradients.

This last adaptation helped on the Gotham Curve, but was required to enable such vehicles to pass over the extreme vertical curves at the feet and especially the tops of Sheep Pasture and Middleton Inclines[28][29][30][31][32][33] Tanks were mostly replenished from a spring at the foot of Sheep Pasture Incline, then worked up towards Parsley Hay as required, but some replenishment took place at Buxton, the tenders being worked southwards onto the High Peak line.

As only short-wheelbase rolling stock could be used, participants paid significant monies to travel in guards vans and open wagons.

The highlight of such tours was to participate in trains storming the Hopton Incline,[38] but "rumbling, grinding and squealing"[39] round the Gotham Curve was seen as a key part of the experience.

The curve was dramatic in railway terms, but as part of an off-road trail it does not catch the public's imagination, particularly when compared with inclines, embankments, machinery, buildings and scenery.