The Hope Valley freight main line and passenger community lifeline is approaching the endgame of a multi-year upgrade project. Recent line closures have seen major work completed, with key milestones hit by the project team, including a freight-critical bridge extension. The bridge, carrying track for a new passing loop, should give capacity and performance enhancements for the aggregate trains that use the line to serve the cluster of quarries in the High Peak District of Derbyshire.