The Wirksworth Branch

Revised/updated third edition of the book first published in 1987. Desperate to reach Manchester but thwarted by political wrangling with the LNWR north of Ambergate, the Midland Railway opened its branch to Wirksworth in October 1867. Although the line struggled in terms of passenger numbers, the amount of milk and limestone that was transport was enough to justify it being built. Passenger services ceased in 1947. Intended to be a major trunk route from London to Scotland the line looked set to end its days as a picturesque siding. That was until the mid 1990s when Wyvern Ltd. was formed to provide commuter services during the week and run steam trains for tourists at the weekends. In September 2004 the first passenger trains for almost 60 years departed from the station at Wirksworth.