"At this particular point, this is where the branch line that came from the Midland railway started at Hasland, Hasland Sheds. The branch line itself was mainly for Grassmoor Colliery. I do know this one, because my father actually worked on the railway. I sometimes used to accompany him on the guards van all the way here. That was always coal, in and out of the pits, mainly to Williamthorpe, there was a link to Williamthorpe so that was another particular one. Of course, when the Great Central closed, they were still taking coal from here to the Midland."
"So where was that particular line going from then?"
"This line actually goes and joins at Hasland, on the main line between Sheffield and London, on the Midland Mainline, which runs right at the bottom of this particular valley that we are overlooking at this time."
"So, having the branch line to the Great Central gave them 2 options, in fact?"
"They did, yes, certainly in the 40s and 50s, there was a usage and use of the lines themselves, but after nationalisation in '48 things changed dramatically."