Matlock railway station

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matlock

Location

Place

Matlock

Local authority

Derbyshire Dales

Operations

Station code

MAT

Managed by

Central Trains

Platforms in use

Live departures and station information from National Rail

Annual Passenger Usage

2004/05 **

0.092 million

History

Key dates

Opened 1849

National Rail - UK railway stations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z

Annual passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Matlock (source)

* 2002/03 Disclaimer
** 2004/05 Disclaimer

UK Rail Portal

Matlock railway station is a railway station serving the town of Matlock in Derbyshire, England. The station is the terminus of the Derwent Valley Line from Derby.

The station is served by Central Trains, who operate local services from Derby to Matlock. Services are formed using diesel multiple units of Classes 150, 153, 156, 158 or 170.

For journeys beginning at Matlock, tickets may be bought on the train for any destination in the country. (From Derby, tickets must be bought at the ticket office) Journey time to Derby is approximately 31 minutes.

[edit] History

Leaving Matlock Bath, the line immediately passes into a series of tunnels, 321, 58 and 378 yards long on the east side of the river, cut into the cliff side. Crossing the river, the line passes through Holt Tunnel (126 yards) before crossing the main A6 road, and entering Matlock Station. Being cut through limestone, these tunnels have required a deal of maintenance over the years.

Originally called "Matlock Bridge", it was opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway in 1849, the station buildings being designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, opening in 1850. The station is now grade 2 listed. Currently it acts as a single platform terminus. The former (down) side platform is disused.

A double track railway line used to continue from Matlock via Bakewell and Millers Dale through to Buxton, Chinley and ultimately Manchester. Unfortunately this section of the former Midland main line was closed to passengers in 1968 as a consequence of the Beeching cuts and the recent electrification of the West coast route from London Euston to Manchester. The last day of operation beyond Matlock was on Saturday 29th June 1968. Part of this route is now preserved as a heritage railway by the preservation group Peak Rail. At present, the heritage line operates from Rowsley South through Darley Dale and terminates at nearby Matlock Riverside, a distance of a little over over three miles. However, there are plans to extend the line a further third of a mile into the Down platform of Matlock station. At present, the area to the immediate north of the station is changing dramatically, with developments being undertaken for A6 relief road.

Indeed, work within the adjacent Cawdor Quarry has already begun, following the demolition of the derelict buildings in the station vicinty. It is projected that the bus station will relocate to be adjacent to the railway station and the new relief road, thus giving Matlock a true transport interchange.