LET'S TAKE THE WATERS

So, today, we leave Cheshire behind and enter Derbyshire. We're heading for Buxton, but first we must visit Fernilee Reservoir (see the map here) to view this narrow gauge 0-4-0WT Kinver, used in the construction.

There are plenty of standard gauge railways around Buxton. Here's the LNWR viaduct, seen from Dukes Drive, Buxton.

Both the LNWR and Midland Railway served Buxton. In LMS days there was a busy loco shed here.

Buxton station was made up of two adjoining sections. This is the frontage of the LNWR bit, seen in LMS times and in 2006.

Both the MR and LNWR stations are seen in 1963 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License)

The former LNWR station is still in use today. Back in the early 1970s, BRCW DMUs were the order of the day.

Locos were being stabled in the station area in 1986.

Just beyond the platforms was Buxton TMD and the ex LNWR signal box.

Class 150 and 156 units seem to be operating the passenger service (to Manchester) in modern times.

The ex Midland Railway side of the station is, today, just a memory. Here, a Park Royal diesel railbus forms the shuttle to Millers Dale (Les Flint).

This side of the station became a railway heritage centre, though it's all moved elsewhere since these photos were taken in the 1980s.

Of course, Buxton is a spa town, so we could take the waters, or just visit the Opera House (Creative Commons License).

We'll partake of some liquid refreshment shortly, but first, a quick look at Buxton's buses. Trent has long been the major operator.

Bakers of Biddulph were running into Buxton in 1993.

Bowers, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, ran some local services.

Some of the town's hotels sold real ale and appeared in the Good Beer Guide. Sadly, the George Hotel is now defunct.

Ramsey's Bar, part of the Buckingham Hotel, is also just a memory.

Never mind, there's always the Wetherspoons, named the Wye Bridge House.

There are several decent "proper" pubs in Buxton. The Cheshire Cheese, seen here in 1987 as a Kimberley pub, is now a free house.

The Sun Inn is still tied to Marstons.

The Swan Hotel is a good place to complete our Buxton visit.

Next time, through the Peak District.

MACC

Right, it's time to take a good look at the Cheshire town of Macclesfield. It's had various bus operators over the years. Crosville took over from North Western Road Car,

 

Here's the post NBC livery applied to a minibus.

Midland Red North later made an appearance,

In 1996, Stevenson's appeared to be the principal operator, using the depot beside the bus station.

Today, Arriva seem to run the majority of services.

Other bus companies seen over the years have included Bakers of Biddulph, Bowers from Derbyshire, Centrebus/High Peak, GM Buses, Shearings, Timeline, Stagecoach Manchester and Vale Coaches.

That was quite a selection. Now for the important bit, the beer situation in the town. Tetley's are just delivering a few pints to the Bull's Head (since closed).

We'll look at a few more closed pubs. The Royal Oak served Greenall's beers.

There was once a free house called The Macc.

A Marston's pub called the Evening Star has also been closed.

The Treacle Tap is a sad loss.

That's the doom and gloom over. All the rest shown below are still serving pints. First up, the Wetherspoons, the Society Rooms.

Redwillow is a former shop showcasing Redwillow beers.

There are Holt's beers in the Three Crowns.

Down a back street, the Brewers Arms.

The Dolphin and the George & Dragon are Robinson's tied houses.

The Jolly Sailor, photographed in 1976 as a Bass pub, is now a good free house.

The Park Tavern sells beers from Bollington Brewery.

Another free house, the Prince of Wales.

We conclude, probably out of breathe after climbing a steep hill, at The Wharf, which is well worth the effort.

That's it for now. Next time...... into Derbyshire.