Background to the story

Two brothers will achieve a “Bucket Wish” come true when they travel from Middleton Top to Parsley Hay to mark the 50^th anniversary of the last steam train to do this journey. Their father, Sam Buckley, was the driver of this last train, and he has been described as "a railwayman of rare quality”.

John and Geoff are octogenarian sons of Sam and will be accompanied on their journey by another two generations of Buckleys: Geoff's sons Simon and David, plus John's son Jonathan and grandson Alfie (great grandson of Sam!) 

The journey will take place on the morning of Sunday 8^th October, 2017. Some Buckleys can’t be with them because of age and location -Aberdeen, Newcastle, London and Toronto. 

Middleton Top to Parsley Hay is now part of the High Peak Trail. In 1967 it was a section to the north of the Cromford and High Peak Railway manned by Middleton trainmen.

The Buckley family, specifically John and Geoff, are asking for sponsorship in aid of the charity Aquabox whose warehouse is located within a “stone's throw” of the trail and less than a mile from Middleton Top. (At the top of Cromford Hill). They also are extremely grateful to the staff of the Countryside Service of Derbyshire County Council particularly in respect of the Tramper Hire which is a wonderful provision for less able people to explore the Country Parks and Trails in Derbyshire. 

The last scheduled Steam train was in April 1967. Sam was made redundant just short of 50 years service – all on the Cromford and High Peak Railway. Later in 1967 a steam train special for the Stephenson Locomotive Society came to Middleton Top. On return at the infamous Hopton Bank (1 in 14) the special train stalled twice attempting to climb the incline. Sam and his son Edward (who at one time had been a fireman on this line - with a different driver not his father) were amongst a gathering to see the historic ascent.

Sam and Edward , in their best suits, were asked to take the leading engine of a “double header”, with its load of enthusiasts, over the summit for the very last time and they did so successfully.

The ascent of Hopton Bank on Sunday, October 8^th 2017 will be an auspicious and proud moment for John,Geoff and all the family. 

A little snippet about the Buckley Brothers

Geoff (together with his wife Cynthia) were founder members of a medical charity and devoted to it 33 years of voluntary service.

Widower John has been, for 54 years, a Wirksworth Rotarian and an Aquabox volunteer since the charity and community project was set up and managed by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth. During this time the charity has sent over 110,000 Aquaboxes with life-saving water filters and essential humanitarian aid to those in desperate need all over the world.