Hayfield branch
The Hayfield Branch was a single-track branch line that ran along the Sett Valley from the Hope Valley Line near to, via one intermediate stop,. It passed under the town of New Mills through the rock-cut Hayfield tunnel.
History
Opening
The branch opened, in 1868, to serve the villages along the valley of the River Sett and the local mills. It became the joint property of the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway and the Midland Railway. It remained a joint line, latterly owned by the London and North Eastern Railway and the London Midland Scottish Railway, until nationalisation of the railways in 1948. Passenger numbers were high especially in the summer months, as the line provided easy access to the countryside.The branch was subsequently assigned to the London Midland Region of British Railways. Introduction of diesel multiple unit trains led to an improvement in passenger services and, by the 1960s, there was an hourly frequency to and from Manchester Piccadilly, with some additional trains at peak times. Unlike some neighbouring lines, the station also enjoyed an hourly Sunday service which was popular with walkers.