Peak Forest Tramway

Built by Benjamin Outram, the tramway was initially single-track, on a 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm) gauge, constructed of stone sleeper blocks and L-section cast-iron rails that were fastened directly onto the blocks, in the same manner as his Little Eaton Gangway built for the Derby Canal.

It then climbed 56½[further explanation needed] to the base of the inclined plane, which took the line upwards 192 feet (59 m) over a distance of 512 yards (468 m).

Initially rope was tried, followed by a patent twisted chain, passing round a wheel, with a brake to control it, in a pit at the top.

The ganger and nipper (apprentice), controlling a gang of waggons, rode on the axles and kept the speed at 4 to 6 miles per hour (6.4 to 9.7 km/h) by spragging the wheels to make them skid.

In 1803 the tramway was made double-track, with the exception of Stodhart Tunnel[2] and below Buxton Road Bridge, using the same method of fixing the rails.

Over the years the design of the rails and saddles underwent many modifications and in circa 1865 much of the main line was replaced by L-section steel rails 9 and 12 feet (3.7 m) long rolled at the Gorton Works (Gorton Tank) of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company.

In 1846 the MSLR's predecessor, the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway, took on a £9,325 a year (equivalent to £1,140,000 in 2023)[3] perpetual lease of the Peak Forest Canal, including the tramway.