Friends of Dronfield Station

 Latest news:-

Posted 9th January, 2010:-

East Midlands Trains and Northern Rail have continued to run largely normally through the bad weather and provide a valuable service.  On Wednesday 6th January, the previous February's record of 82 on the 7:49 fell as 102 boarded the same train - sadly EMT collected few tickets and one passenger in the rear, standard class portion of the train, failed to get off as it was not in the platform and she was not able to make it through the rush of passengers walking in through the (empty) first class section to a useable door - Badly done EMT! Also,  EMT 'c**ked-up' on Thursday last week when the 07:49 failed to stop at Dronfield!  According to reliable sources, the announcement made on the train was that this was due to 'icy conditions'. But no other train had had a problem!  72 passengers had to wait a further 45mins in the bitter cold for the late running 08:20. Questions will be asked and it is believed the driver could be suspended if indeed he had foegotten to stop.  

Posted 3rd December, 2009:-

East Midlands Trains put up a penalty fares notice and now have taken this down again!  We're not sure why - it could be to do with the fact that EMTs application to put barriers in at Sheffield was rejected.  They are liaising with Northern Rail who are responsible for Dronfield Station, to get a machine installed. Until then it's business as normal!

Posted 29th September, 2009:-

We have received two awards:  Derbyshire in bloom - Judges Awards for the Flowers and Beds at the station well done everyone!

Also, from ACoRP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships), we have come in 3rd Place for the Best Station Adoption Group. This what they said:

3rd Place Friends of Dronfield Station
In three short years the friends of Dronfield Station have been instrumental in totally transforming the station, local awareness of the opportunities for rail travel and passenger numbers. The group has created new flower beds at the station front, planters adorn the platforms, and there are weekly litter picks and lawn-mowing. With the station now enjoying its best ever train service continuing publicity and promotion play a big part in their plans. Dronfield and its adopters are now firmly on the railway map!

The Judging Criteria was: The judges will be looking for a good mix of projects undertaken, a commitment to promoting the train service and evidence of working with other groups/companies beyond the station boundary.

Again - Well done everyone!

Posted 19th July, 2009:-

Station is looking fabulous - thanks to hard work by Paul Walker, Dronfield Town Council, ISS and FoDS volunteers it was ready for the Dronfield in Bloom 2009 judging - Just

Posted 19th July, 2009:-

Station is looking fabulous - thanks to hard work by Paul Walker, Dronfield Town Council, ISS and FoDS volunteers it was ready for the Dronfield in Bloom 2009 judging - Just

Posted 28th June, 2009:-

The Annual General Meeting passed off very well and Northern Rail's Neil Codrington gave a well received talk on the station.

Posted 18th May, 2009:-

The gap in the the northbound service has been filled. But only Monday through Friday - Not on Saturday!

Go onto the Journey Planner on the National Rail website and then check out Dronfield-Sheffield (direct) at 11:59 on Monday 18th May, 2009.  The NR people have finally realised the the freight train they thought was in the way for the route through Dronfield, stopped running over 2 years ago!

Peter Hayward and Michael Muntus attended the Cremation Ceremony of FoDS Harry Sykes. He will be greatly missed by all you knew him. FoDS extend their sympathies to friends and family.

Posted 9th February, 2009:-

Trains come up trumps during the recent snowy weather

Many FoDS have noted the huge increase in ridership to and from Sheffield last week.  The record for numbers was 84 onto the 7:49 on Tuesday 3rd! See below:

Posted 14th December, 2008:-

FoDS set up the following timetable for events on Sunday the 14th December:

  08.30   Band set up on grass area immediate outside station entrance
  08.45   Hot drinks/snacks available
  08.45   Band plays as guests arrive
            ATC squadron invited to form ‘guard of honour’
  09.00   Brief speeches by Natascha Engel, President of FoDS and Cllr Wendy Temple, Mayor of             Dronfield
  09.06   Cllr Temple cuts ribbon across station entrance – photos etc
  09.07   Band strikes up with appropriate rousing music
  09.08   First train (southbound) arrives:  ribbon restored for photo with train in platform
  09.08   Civic party boards first train and travels to Chesterfield
  09.10   First train ‘flagged off’ by Harry Sykes (94yrs), retired signalman from Dronfield
  09.10   Band continues to play for assembled guests
    -09.30
  ****************
  10.17   Second train (southbound)
  ****************
  10.45   Band plays to entertain guests for first northbound train (provisional – depends on availability)
  11.01   First train (northbound) arrives
  11.19   Third train (southbound)
  11.20   End of formal celebrations

The event passed off successfully and a full report will be given in the next newsletter.

Posted 20th October, 2008:-

East Midland Trains have assured us that trains will be running again by 14th December. Click here for their page.

Peter Hayward, Michael Muntus and Any Firth had a very successful visit to the Northern Rail Seminar on Saturday at the National Railway museum. Some good contacts were formed and Northern Rail were very impressed with the Dronfield Eye cover that showed a Class 158 in its new Dronfield environment. This picture (part of shown right), is available from The Council Offices in the Dronfield Civic Centre – All proceeds go to the Ashgate Hospice.

Thanks to Northern Rail for a great day.

Posted 23rd September, 2008:-

FoDS member Patrick Harrison has already spotted that December train times from Dronfield are now appearing on the National Rail Journey Planner (though Saturday's have yet to appear under the 12 week rule) once we have a full set we'll publicise them here, on the posters and by a mail-shot.

Keith Glossop and Paul Walker have also been at work calculating approximate journey times to various places. Click here to see a map.

Posted 30th August, 2008:-

The substitute bus services have been announced for the suspension of services 8/12/2008 to 13/12/2008. For bus substitution times click here

Posted 14th July, 2008:-

The station is beginning to look REALLY good with planters replanted, the hay racks, the new flower beds and finally the fence being painted.  Thanks to all the volunteers, Millthorpe nursery, Dronfield Town Council and last but not least Northern Rail.