Diagram of R54 Derby

Showing Route 54 and the short 'Little Eaton' offshoot which will be further developed to link in with the National Cycle Network Nottingham.

Secrets of Route 54 (Heading photograph - Mickleover Station House)

In 1876 the Great Northern Railway Company requested tenders for the building of their new rail extension through Derby, and so began eighty years of steam trains working Their way over the tracks through Etwall, Mickleover and so South to Nottingham through Friagate Station in Derby.

The closure of this line into Derby in August 1964 was not the end of the Etwall to Mickleover line, This part of the line was to continue as a British Rail experimental test track for a further few years before its final closure, for on this site was built one of the earliest aerodynamic model test rigs specifically for use in railway technology. The rig took the form of a large poly-tunnel which housed an elevated concrete test track. (The remains of this track can still be seen down the right hand side of the start of the cycle track).

In the pictures above he left photograph shows the remains of the poly-tunnel in 2002, the remaining hoops of which can still be seen. The right photograph shows the test facility in use. In the early 1990s the test facility was removed to its current position on the RTC site on London Road Derby, where it is still doing experimental work for our future railways. The facility was, and still remains, a unique railway enterprise. If you are interested in the work presently being accomplished in Derby, go to this site. http://www.aeat.co.uk/rail/j/j_what_cap_model_fr.htm

For more information on Mickleover (and its Tea Rooms) visit http://www.mickleovercommunitycentre.co.uk

Derelict fitments from
the test tunnel, taken in 2002

A view inside the test tunnel before it's demolition

One further secret of this noble cycle route can be revealed, on the left, as you cycle from Mickleover, you will notice four coping stones as seen in the photograph right. These stones are accurate mile markers set out at one mile apart. All are distances from the gate by Mickleover station. A good time to test your computers out for accurate measurements.