Ambergate’s famous triangular station is a thing of the past. The only surviving section is the platform serving the Derwent valley line between Derby and Matlock. This is itself a truncated section of the Midland Railway’s former double track main line from Manchester Central to Derby and on to London St Pancras that had carved its way through the Peak District, and which joined the Sheffield to Derby main line just south of Ambergate. I’m glad I had opportunities to take this route twice in the late 1950s and again in c.1961 on a school trainspotting trip to Derby works, each time starting from Liverpool Central High Level, though I have to admit that I don’t remember a great deal about any of those journeys, except for the un-rebuilt Patriot class loco’ which brought us back from Derby. I have a clear vision of its approach to the platform at Derby Midland in fading winter, early evening light.
Ambergate station was built by the North Midland Railway and opened in 1840. All traces of the original buildings have gone, but the scenic Derwent valley line is still well used today and valued by walkers and other visitors to the Peaks. Class 156 two-car unit No. 156907 called in at lunchtime yesterday on the shuttle service to Matlock. Up the valley at Whatstandwell, a fine Midland Railway footbridge survives as well as an LMS Hawkseye station running in board.
