DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Derby - Matlock
This line was part of the former Midland Railway main line to Manchester via Bakewell and Millers Dale. Passenger services were withdrawn past Matlock on Monday 1 July 1968.
DMUs used would normally be Etches Park sets.
Matlock Bath station, which been closed in March 1967, would re-open with the May 1972 timetable.
Sinfin Central station opened in October 1976 to serve the nearby Rolls-Royce factory, and many Matlock services were extended there on weekdays. Year by year the through services were reduced until they were just at commute times.
Sample Timetables
27 May 1972 to 6 May 1973
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
2 May 1977 until further notice
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
9 January to 7 May 1978
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
8 May 1978 to 13 May 1979
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
14 May 1979 to 11 May 1980
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" when folded.
4 June to 8 September 1979
This measured 3 3/4" x 8 1/4" when folded.
12 May 1980 to 10 May 1981
This measured 8 3/4" x 3 3/4" when folded.
23 March 1981 until further notice
This measured 3 3/4" x 8 1/4" when folded.
1 June 1981 to 16 May 1982
This measured 8 3/4" x 3 3/4" when folded.
This insert was enclosed:
May 1982
This measured 3 3/4" x 8 1/4".
4 October 1982 to 15 May 1983
This measured 8 3/4" x 3 3/4" when folded.
16 May 1983 to 13 May 1984
This measured 8 3/4" x 3 3/4" when folded.
If you have any timetables that could be added here please get in touch.
Images
30th March 1970
A Swindon Class 120 DMU at Matlock on 30 March 1970. An image from the Jim Freebury Railway Slide Collection. David Page.
April 1971
A mixed-livery Swindon Cross-Country set in Derby station with a Matlock service, April 1971. Mel Smith.
23rd June 1972
The 18.50 from Matlock to Crewe on 23 June 1972 - comprising a 3-car Swindon Cross-Country dmu with the centre car in plain blue hauling a CCT van - pauses at Matlock Bath. Adrian Nicholls notes that in the 1972 section L WTT the CCT van spent all day at Matlock and only two trains on the branch were authorised to convey a trailing load. Outbound from Derby it was conveyed behind the DMU on 6P59 05.40 Derby to Matlock with one intermediate call at Ambergate for the single line token at 05.56 and arrival into Matlock at 06.08. A footnote says parcel traffic but probably newspapers as well. The DMU must have run beyond the station into the old goods yard to drop the van before returning back to the platform to form 2P59 06.37 to Derby calling all stations. The return working (photographed) was also 2P59, the 18.52 ex Matlock, terminating at Derby. Tom Burnham.
July 1972
Derby Etches Park Swindon Cross-Country DMU set EP488 approaches Meadow Lane Crossing (Trent Junction) with a Matlock service in July 1972. Mel Smith.
Unknown date
A Class 114 set enters Cromford station, date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
1973
With set number EP471 in the cab window a three-car Class 104 DMU is seen at Matlock East sometime in 1973. Stuart Mackay Collection.
8th September 1973
E56035 heads a Class 114 set one mile south of Cromford with the 5.50pm Matlock - Derby service on September 8th, 1973. Michael Mensing.
8th September 1973
A Class 120 Swindon Cross-Country DMU heads for Matlock at Matlock Bath on 8 September 1973. Michael Mensing.
8th September 1973
A Class 120 Swindon Cross-Country DMU in Maltock Bath station with a Matlock service in the evening of 8 September 1973. Michael Mensing.
27th August 1975
A Class 114 set in Matlock station on August 27, 1975. Steve Davies Collection.
27th August 1975
A Class 114 set in Matlock station on August 27, 1975. Steve Davies Collection.
February 1976
E50024 and E56024 are on Matlock duties when seen in Derby station in February 1976. Mel Smith.
2nd October 1976
A Class 114 DMU, led by DMBS E50025, arrives at Whatstandwell, Derbyshire, with a service to Derby, Saturday 02/10/1976. Graeme Phillips Collection.
March 1979
A Swindon Class 120 DMU set with Matlock on the destination blind is seen south of Derby in March 1979. Michael Mensing.
14th March 1979
The driver/guard is moving the red lamp to the rear of the Cravens set at Matlock for the return journey on 14th March 1979. The Midland Railway's main line through Monsal Dale to Manchester & Buxton closed beyond Matlock in 1967 leaving a shuttle service between Derby & Matlock. This continues today but in 1979 the station looked smarter and the dmu older than today. Pete LG99.
14th March 1979
Class 105 DMU Matlock Derbyshire 14th March 1979. The Midland Railway's main line through Monsal Dale to Manchester & Buxton closed beyond Matlock in 1967 leaving a shuttle service between Derby & Matlock. This continues today but in 1979 the station looked smarter and the Craven's diesel multiple unit older than today. Riber Castle looks down from the hilltop, a constant feature in a much changed railway scene. The Down line was lifted and the goods yard abandoned. There used to be a covered footbridge - I remember crossing it in 1965 to catch a train to Bakewell - but with the closing of the Down platform it and the 1850 platform buildings were demolished. The rail was relaid & the heritage Peak Rail steam services to Rowsley now run from platform 2 again. Pete LG99.
3rd July 1980
The train crew chat as the 11:00 service to Derby waits to leave Matlock on a misty 3rd July 1980. Bruce Galloway.
21st July 1980
A Class 120 set, with 50741 nearest the camera, heads into the tunnel at Cromford on 21/7/80. Chris Lings.
November 1980
A Class 104 DMU in Matlock station on a wet day in November 1980. Rob Paterson.
12th July 1981
A Class 120 disappearing into the tunnel at Cromford on 12/7/81. Ian Francis.