DSCN2932 Trent Barton (trentbarton) 159 (S158 UAL) and 448 (FE02 KDU) in Matlock Bath - 28 Mar 2009

Saturday 28 March 2009 (1133) – Two Optare manufactured vehicles operated by Trent Barton (trentbarton) pass in North Parade, Matlock Bath. The green ‘Transpeak’ liveried Excel, 158 (S158 UAL) new in October 1998, was working the 1010 Nottingham to Buxton ‘Transpeak’ service. The red Solo, 448 (FE02 KDU) new in March 2002, was working the 1130 Matlock to Wirksworth service 6.1.

Matlock Bath rose to fame when warm springs were discovered in 1698 which attracted the wealthy and influential visitor but the arrival of the railway in 1840 opened it up to the masses. Today it is rather like an inland seaside resort – landlocked Derbyshire doesn’t have any coastal resorts of its own of course! Set in a steep sided gorge with the river on one side of the main road, the buildings are only found on one side of the road many of which housed an array of amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, gift shops, cafes and the like at the time of my visit. A number of family fun parks have been built on the hilltops connected to the road by cable car.