| Edale, Barber Booth
Written by Mark Bearton - 31 Jan 2005
last update by
Robin Sharman -
06 Sep 2011
|
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From the Manchester direction: Take the A6 to Chapel-en-le-Rith. Take the unclassified road through Slackhall, which climbs along the side of the valley. Near the end of this, there is a left hand turning signposted to Edale. This climbs slightly before dropping spectacularly into the Hope Valley. At the bottom of the hill, the road crosses a bridge over a small stream. There is a small parking area by a bus stop on the right by this. Park here and cross the road, heading up the gravel track opposite. This will lead you past the back of a few cottages then through a Farm-Yard, proclaiming to be the home of the 'Barber Booth Sheep'. Carry on through the farm to the bridge, with a small caravan park on the left.
Barber Booth (bridge 59) can now easily be reached via a rebuilt footpath from the car park extension at Edale station. This car park seems to be free on weekdays (although £4 to parish council funds at weekends) and is located directly opposite Edale signal box. The rebuilt footpath takes the walker over the line and back on bridges 57 and 58. When the hamlet of Barber Booth is reached, it is an easy matter to follow the track through the farmyard to bridge 59 with its clear view of Cowburn tunnel.
The light is best here in the morning until 11-11.30 for trains heading east and exiting from Cowburn Tunnel. After this the light will be off the front of the trains, though pictures will be possible for longer. Facing the other way, the line is in a shallow cutting which limits the photographic angles and causes the train to be in shadow.
