I am not sure how much of the route you have visited. The NT wardens cleared part of the section alongside the Staunton Harold (county boundary) road in the 80s. The collapsed small tunnel was rebuilt 3 years ago, since then they have cleared the vegetation and ditches along the tramway parts of the NT estate, and done a lot of work in the limeyards, including restoring the last kiln. The path has now been laid from the limeyards to Whitehollows, where two colliery shafts are. The section from Dimminsdale to the Staunton Harold estate entrance has also been completed. This leaves the remainder of the Dimminsdale branch to Southwood junction and thence towards Whitehollows to be finished. There are no plans to do any work in Southwood. The route had been surveyed for a possible cycle route by Leics CC and Sustrans in the early 80s, but the poor condition of the New Parks tunnel (search you tube) ruled out the project. The trust idea is to create a long walk around the Calke estate, due to open next year. There does not appear to have been much archaeological work on the tramway done. Contractors have mechanically scraped the surface, applied a membrane covering topped with ballast to seal the route to modern path standards. Maybe with use the stones will reappear. Having seen the damage to Silkstone by wear I suppose there is some merit to this. There are a few stones left by the track. They recently cleared a pass bye, where the curve can be spotted by the bow in the hedge. A couple of intact rails were found in the mud there. They have a collection of rusty rails found when the old garage in Ticknall closed. I have managed to regularly photograph the work, but would suggest a visit to see what is left before the last mile is completed.
Have you got the Digital Archives dvd of OS 25 inch 1896 Derbyshire? Fantastic mapping value. I have a copy of Baxters tramway book coming next week. I must get some pictures posted.
John