Midland Railway – Butterley

The Midland Railway – Butterley lies on the Ambergate to Pye Bridge line of the old Midland Railway, although the present-day heritage line terminates at Hammersmith. The line currently runs for 3 ¹⁄₂ miles (5.6 km) from Hammersmith via Butterley, Swanwick Junction, and Riddings to Ironville. It is operated by the Midland Railway Trust.

The railway is also home to the 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge Golden Valley Light Railway, which opened in 1991 and partially lies on the trackbed of a former plateway built by the Butterley Company in 1813 to connect its iron works facilities in Butterley and nearby Codnor Park.

Butterley Railway Station

• Hammersmith
• Butterley – Headquarters of the Midland Railway – Butterley
• Swanwick Junction The Main Museum Complex
• Riddings (run-round loop, currently no platform at present, Ironville Junction close by, Current terminus of the 'MR (B)', until further notice).

The railway runs events, ranging from Teddy Bear's Picnic specials to Gala events featuring standard gauge collection and the GVLR's stock.

• Vintage Train Event (Early May and Late August bank holiday weekends)
• steam and diesel locomotive events
• Annual 1960s events
• Trains to the seaside at Swanwick Junction Station (Late July/Early September)
• Santa Specials (Late November till Christmas Eve)

The railway is licensed to host weddings and parties.

In September 1999 the Kosovo Train for Life was loaded at Butterley station, before travelling via Kensington Olympia railway station and the Channel Tunnel, to Kosovo in conjunction with the Kosovo Force peace-keeping efforts.

The steam engines of the Midland Railway Trust that run passenger services are mostly ex-LMS and BR locomotives of similar designs. Rarer industrial and mainline classes (one from as early as 1866), are stored in the Swanwick museum site.

Operational

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland"	LMS Coronation Class	Certified for main line running. Returned to service in September 2018 after an overhaul.	LMS Crimson Lake	Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust	1938
No. 2111 "Lytham St Annes"	Peckett 0-4-0ST	Returned to service in April 2017 after a 21-year overhaul, having been out of service since 1996. On loan to the Stainmore Railway Company.	Lined Blue	Private Owner	1949
No. 80080	BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT	Under Repair. 80080 worked on the old London, Tilbury and Southend Railway branches. On withdrawal, it was sent to Barry in the 60s. 80080 was, with 80098 also at Butterley, first sent to the Peak Rail and they were moved to their current location in 1983. They were soon restored to work on mainline railtours. Re-entered service in January 2019 following boiler repairs and has returned on loan to the East Lancashire Railway.	BR Lined Black with Early Crest.	Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust.	1954

Undergoing restoration, overhaul or repairs

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. 80098	BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT	Both 80080 and 80098 shared similar histories during their services with BR, both worked on the old London, Tilbury and Southend Railway branches, both were later allocated to other sheds and later sent to Barry in the 60s. Its boiler ticket expired in late 2009 and it quickly moved into the workshop.	BR Lined Black with Late Crest.	Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust.	1954
"George"	RSH 0-4-0ST from British Celanese Works at Spondon	Undergoing major restoration at PRCLT West Shed.	Dark Green	Midland Railway Trust	1945	~
No. 47357 (16440)	LMS 0-6-0T Class 3F Jinty	Last operated in 2004. Frames, wheels and motion being overhauled at the East Lancashire Railway, boiler being worked on at the North Norfolk Railway and everything else being done at Swanwick. Planned to be outshopped in maroon livery as 16440.	N/A	Derby City Council	1926
No. 47445	LMS Class 3F 0-6-0T Jinty	Under major restoration with work currently focused on the frames.	N/A	Derby City Council	1927	~

Stored or static

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner	Date	Photograph
No. 158A	Midland Railway 156 Class 2-4-0	Static display in the Mathew Kirtley Museum. This engine has not run under her own steam since arrival at the trust, and is part of the National Collection.	Midland Railway Maroon	National Railway Museum	1866
No. 46203 "Princess Margaret Rose"	LMS 4-6-2 Class 8P	Currently on display in the West Shed, Stored, Out of use. Awaiting restoration.	BR Maroon	Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust	1935
No. 47327/23	LMS Fowler Class 3F 0-6-0T	On display in the museum awaiting overhaul.	S&DJR Prussian Blue.	Derby City Council.	1926
No. 47564	LMS Class 3F Jinty 0-6-0T	Stored, dismantled.	BR Black	Derby City Council	1928	~
No. 73129	BR Standard Class 5	On display in the Exhibition Hall at Swanwick Junction awaiting major overhaul.	BR lined Black with the early crest.	Derby City Council	1956
No. 1163 "Whitehead"	Peckett 0-4-0ST	Built in 1908, "Whitehead" was used in the major Welsh industries. On withdrawal, it was purchased by the Great Western Society and moved to the West Somerset Railway. Arrived at the Midland Railway – Butterley in July 1999. Returned to service in March 2011 after an overhaul and remained in service until 2019, needing a further overhaul.	Unlined Brunswick Green with the BR Crest.	Private Owner.	1908
"Gladys"	Markham & Co. 0-4-0ST	A static display in the Matthew Kirtley Museum	Dark Green	Midland Railway Trust	1894	~
"Stanton 24"	Andrew Barclay 0-4-0TC	A static display in the Matthew Kirtley Museum	Dark Green	Midland Railway Trust	1925
Brown Bailey No. 4	Nasmyth, Wilson and Company 0-4-0ST	Permanently plinthed outside. Known as the trust-created character "Oswald the Talking Engine"	Light Blue	Midland Railway Trust	1894
Boots No. 2	0-4-0TF	A static display in the Matthew Kirtley Museum	Boots Blue (with logo)	Midland Railway Trust	1955	~
"Victory"	Peckett 0-4-0ST	A static display in the Matthew Kirtley Museum	Dark Green	Midland Railway Trust	1919
No. 7817 "Castle Donington Power Station No. 1"	RSH 0-4-0ST	One of the last steam locomotives in regular industrial usage in Great Britain.[2] Stored awaiting overhaul.	Dark Blue.	Midland Railway Trust.	1954

Extra Note: A pair of 21 in (533 mm) gauge steam-outlined replicas of the PRCLT's Pacifics and a carriage were given to the Trust as a gift and two roads in the West Shed and about 50 metres of track have since been laid for them.

Mock up of the Class 93 locomotive, located in the Matthew Kirtley Museum at Swanwick

12077 outside museum shed

The main museum site is at Swanwick Junction, with many attractions and groups based there. There are other attractions at Butterley.

• Butterley railway station
  • Ais Gill Signal Box – Formerly situated at Ais Gill on the Settle to Carlisle line, this is the working signal box at Butterley. It is technically a ground frame. There is no public access.
  • Alfreton Model Railway Society
  • Butterley Station Building – The original brick-built station buildings were demolished after the line closed. The new station building (acquired from Whitwell railway station) is made of stone and contains a shop and booking office.
  • Butterley Tea Rooms – Butterley station's catering facility, serves hot and cold snacks and drinks almost every day of the year.
  • Carriage Shed – A depot with repair and overhaul facilities. Is generally closed to the public.
  • Garden Railway – An outdoor 16 mm scale model railway which runs on most Sundays and some Saturdays.
  • Heanor Model Railway Club – This building contains a 4 mm scale OO Gauge layout (Alderthorpe) and a 7 mm O gauge shunting yard layout. Open on various dates throughout the year.
  • Star Tugs trust carriage - This carriage is owned by the Star Tugs trust, who own some of the original models from the TV sister show of Thomas and Friends, TUGS. They are open on certain running days and hold special events as well.
• Swanwick Junction railway station
  • Station Building – Moved from Syston railway station and rebuilt on Swanwick platform 2, toilets, booking offices and a waiting room.
  • Island Platform Waiting Room – A replica of the original Station building at Broom Junction. It is located between Platforms 3 and 4. There is currently only public access on certain events. The original building was intended to be used, but it was destroyed by vandals before recovery.
  • Signal Box – The operational signal box at Swanwick Junction, moved from Kettering Station in 1988. There is no public access.
  • Matthew Kirtley Museum – The main museum on the Swanwick site, it houses various locomotives, coaches and wagons. The main workshops are also situated in this building. There is no public access to the workshops, although there is a viewing area.
  • Historical Model Railway Society – Was opened in 2005. It contains a large display area, study centre and small shop. Normally only open by appointment it is sometimes open at special events.
  • The West Shed – Home of the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust, owners of 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" and 46203 "Princess Margaret Rose". BR Standard Class 4 Tanks 80080 and 80098 and a small collection of classic LMS Saloons including the famous Dynamometer car are also stationed here.
  • St. Saviour's Church – Moved from Westhouses, this Railwayman's church also holds occasional services.
  • Upcast Colliery Headstocks and Winding Gear.
  • Johnson's Buffet – Swanwick Junction's catering facility, Toilets are located nearby on the same building.
  • Golden Valley Light Railway – Laid on the trackbed of a former Ironworks Railway, this line runs for just under one mile (1.6 km) to Newlands Inn. The terminus of this 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line is just above the entrance to the Butterley Tunnel of the Cromford Canal. The Swanwick Terminus gained a new engine shed in 2007.
  • Allports Emporium – The main shop at Swanwick.
  • Swanwick Junction Model Railway Club – The model railway at Swanwick Junction, currently in St Mary's gatehouse.
  • Derby St Marys Gatehouse – Situated at the entrance to the site, this small building was moved to Swanwick from the goods yard at Derby St Marys.
  • Demonstration Signal Box – Recovered from Linby railway station. Now in use at Brands Crossing as a demonstration signal box, with public access.
  • Linby Colliery Sidings Signal Box – Currently in use as a bookshop.
  • Static Power Museum – Normally open at busy periods and at special events the building houses a good number of working machines.
  • Richard Levick Workshop – The main machine shop at the Swanwick site. Named after Richard Levick, who was killed when working on one of the machines here. There is no public access to this area.
  • Butterley Park Miniature Railway – Operates Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, miniature replicas of classic steam and diesel engines of both 3 ¹⁄₂ in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) gauge operate on a raised circuit of track. The public are permitted to ride for a small charge. The line consists of about ¹⁄₆ mile (0.27 km) of track, a traverser, tunnel, decorative speed signs and signal box.
  • Historic Carriage and Wagon – A large number of coaches and wagons await restoration here, either in the sidings or the large shed in which the Society is based. On certain days it is possible to see work being done inside the shed.
  • National Fork Truck Heritage Centre and Road Transport Gallery – This recently completed building houses a collection of heritage buses, lorries and other forms of road transport and fork lift trucks. On certain special events, some of the vehicles are put on display out in the open.
  • 47401 Project Shop – Fundraising shop for 47401 and 47417, located in the Fork Lift Truck Heritage Centre
  • Diesel Depot – Currently housing some of the centre's diesel fleet. An extension is under construction.
• Riddings
  • There is no station here - at this point the locomotive is run around its train.
  • The Erewash Valley Line passes close by the running line.
  • The connecting line to the Erewash Valley, Codnor Park Jcn is situated just before the run round loop.
  • Evidence of a future extension to Pye Bridge can be seen.
  • The MR(B) aims to build a station here as part of the future extension to Pye Bridge.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Midland Railway - Butterley.

• Official website