Midland Railway – Butterley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midland Railway – Butterley |
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British Railways Standard 5 No. 73129 at Swanwick Junction Station
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| Terminus | Hammersmith and Pye Bridge |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Ambergate to Pye Bridge Line |
| Built by | Midland Railway |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | Midland Railway Trust Ltd |
| Operated by | Midland Railway Trust Ltd |
| Stations | 3 |
| Length | 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1 February 1875 |
| Closed to passengers | 23 December 1968 |
| Preserved era | Different era on a different day but normally 19th century |
| Preservation history | |
| Headquarters | Butterley Station |
| Website | |
| https://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/ | |
The Midland Railway – Butterley is a special railway and museum in Butterley, near Ripley in Derbyshire. It's a place where old trains are kept and run, showing how railways used to be. You can ride on historic trains and explore different railway buildings.
Contents
History of the Railway
How the Railway Started
The Midland Railway – Butterley is built on part of an old railway line. This line, called the Ambergate to Pye Bridge line, once connected different railway routes. It was used to transport coal from mines and goods for the Butterley Company. The main station on this line, Butterley, first opened in 1875.
What the Railway Was Used For
In the past, this railway line was very busy. It helped serve many coal mines in the area. It also provided important rail access for the Butterley Company, which was a big ironworks. Today, the railway is home to the Golden Valley Light Railway. This is a smaller, narrow gauge line that opened in 1991. It runs on the path of an even older railway built in 1813.
Bringing the Railway Back to Life
The original railway line closed down in 1968. But people who loved trains wanted to save it. They started working to restore the line in 1973. Some parts of the old track were removed when new roads were built. However, the first special train services began running again in 1981. Today, the railway runs for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km). It goes from Hammersmith to Ironville, passing through Butterley and Swanwick Junction. The Midland Railway Trust operates and looks after it.
Exploring the Stations and Attractions
Hammersmith Station
Hammersmith is the station at the western end of the line. It has two platforms where passengers can get on and off. You can even see the A38 road from the station platform.
Butterley Station
Butterley is the main hub of the Midland Railway – Butterley. The original station buildings were taken down after the line closed. But a new building, looking just like the old one, was brought from another station and rebuilt here. At Butterley, you can find the gift shop and the ticket office. There is also a café and a model railway club nearby. The signal box at Butterley came from a famous railway line called the Settle to Carlisle line.
- Garden Railway: In the station yard, there's a fun outdoor model railway. It runs on many Sundays and some Saturdays.
- Star Tugs Trust Carriage: You can also find a special carriage here. It holds an exhibition of original models from TUGS. This was a TV show similar to Thomas & Friends. It's open on certain days when trains are running.
Swanwick Junction Station
Swanwick Junction is a big area with many railway attractions. It's like a railway village!
- Station Building: The station here has four platforms. The main building was moved from another station and rebuilt. It has toilets, a café, and a waiting room.
- Matthew Kirtley Museum: This is the main museum at Swanwick. It has many old locomotives, coaches, and wagons on display. As of August 2025, the museum building is closed for roof repairs.
- The West Shed: This is home to the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust. They look after famous steam engines like Duchess of Sutherland and Princess Margaret Rose.
- St. Saviour's Church: This old church was moved here from Westhouses. It was a church for railway workers and still holds services sometimes.
- Other Buildings: You can also see the Derby St Mary's Gatehouse, which houses a model railway club. There's a Static Power Museum with working machines. The Historic Carriage and Wagon Shed is where old coaches and wagons are restored. The National Fork Truck Heritage Centre has a collection of old buses, lorries, and forklifts.
Butterley Park Miniature Railway
This is a miniature railway where you can ride on small versions of steam and diesel engines. It runs on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. You can ride for a small fee. The track is about 1/6 of a mile long and has a tunnel and a signal box.
Riddings
Riddings doesn't have a station platform for passengers. It's a place where trains can turn around. The River Erewash flows under the railway here.
Special Events and Activities
The railway hosts many fun events throughout the year. These include:
- Victorian Train Weekends: Experience what train travel was like in the past.
- Easter Events: Special activities for the Easter holidays.
- Steam and Diesel Locomotive Events: See different types of powerful engines in action.
- Trains to the Seaside: Enjoy a special trip to Swanwick Junction Station in summer.
- Halloween Events: Spooky fun for the whole family.
- Firework Night: A spectacular display.
- Santa Specials: Meet Santa on a festive train ride in the run-up to Christmas.
The railway is also a place where people can hold weddings and parties. In 1999, a special train called the Kosovo Train for Life was loaded at Butterley. It traveled to Kosovo to help with peacekeeping efforts. From 2007 to 2019, the railway hosted a music festival called Indietracks.
Locomotives and Rolling Stock
The Midland Railway – Butterley has a large collection of old trains. These include steam engines, diesel engines, and different types of coaches.
Steam Locomotives
Many of the steam engines here were built for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) or British Railways (BR). Some are still running, while others are being repaired or are on display. For example, No. 47357 "Uncle Albert" is an LMS "Jinty" steam engine that became operational again in late 2023. Another famous engine, No. 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland," is certified to run on the main railway lines and often goes on special tours.
Diesel and Electric Locomotives
The railway also has many diesel and electric locomotives. These range from small shunting engines, which move trains around the yard, to larger mainline locomotives. Some of these are operational, while others are being restored or are on loan to other railways.
Coaches and Carriages
The railway has a variety of passenger coaches. These include old Midland Railway coaches, LMS coaches, and British Railways Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches. Some are used for passenger rides, while others are being restored or used for storage. The Star Tugs Trust carriage at Butterley Station is a unique coach with an exhibition inside.
Golden Valley Light Railway
The Golden Valley Light Railway (GVLR) is a separate, smaller railway at Swanwick Junction. It uses a different, narrower track size (2 feet wide). This line runs for almost a mile through a country park. It follows the path of a very old railway that was used by an ironworks. The GVLR has its own collection of smaller locomotives and wagons. Many of these are being restored to run on the line.
