Description: This is the old Midland Railway Station. This original railway station was built in 1840, and was demolished in 1985 and replaced with the current modern one. (The original clock now can be seen on a plinth at the end of the car park). The Midland Railway was incorporated on 10th May 1844 by amalgamation of the North Midland, Midland Counties and Birmingham and Derby Junction Railways and became one of the most influential of the pre-grouping railways, with access to many parts of Britain through joint lines and working arrangements. Amongst its many constructions, apart from the acclaimed station at St. Pancras, are the viaducts and tunnels which carried the line through the picturesque valleys from Settle to Carlisle and through the Peak District. The locomotives and rolling stock of the Midland were the envy of all, with such masters of engineering as Matthew Kirtley and the inspired Samuel Waite Johnson adding flair and a stateliness to their designs. The Midland led the way in improving standards of travel, which other companies were forced to follow, and at the grouping it was second only to the Great Western Railway in terms of its route mileage.
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.