Here is a sketch map, "The Railways of Derbyshire",
from an early twentieth century guide[1] and
shows the date it was drawn as 1903 (see corner, bottom right). The
map,which is just inside the guide's front cover, is in two halves
and is described by the author, J. Charles Cox, as the Index map.
The way the volume is glued does not, unfortunately, allow the book
to be totally flat when scanned.
It is interesting to see just how many railway lines criss-crossed
the county before the first war. Up until the Beeching years, when
many lines that didn't pay their way were scrapped, people could
travel from Matlock and Matlock Bath, up through Rowsley, and then
on to Miller's Dale, Chinley and New Mills before carrying on to
Manchester Central station. In the west of the county the train would
take vistors from Ashbourne and all points south up to Tissington
to see the Well Dressings.
Cox wrote[1]:
"Derbyshire was one of the first counties to use iron
railways to ease transit. The very earliest use, above ground, was
at Wingerworth ironstone pits, about the year 1788. ... In 1839 - 40
the Midland locomotive system of steam traffic came into being, the
Company being formed from the Birmingham and Derby, the North Midland,
and the Derby and Nottingham railways.
The county is now remarkably well supplied with railroads. The town
of Derby is the great centre of the Midland railway system, and its
lines branch out to most parts of the county. The Great Northern, the
London and North Western, and the Great Central (succeeding to the
Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast) railways all traverse certain
parts of Derbyshire."
Elsewhere on this web site:
Derbyshire
Railway Postcards. A selection of six from the early twentieth
century series of cards.
Matlock
Bath Station and High Tor.
Matlock
Bath : Midland Express Passing Through the Station.
Stereographic
Photo of Matlock Bath Station, 1860. A hold-to-light tissue
stereographic photo, with an element of surprise.
Stereoview
of Matlock Bath Station (2), Nineteenth Century.
High
Tor & Railway Station, Matlock Bath, 1862.
References:
[1] From: Cox, John Charles, (1915, 2nd edition,
revised), "Derbyshire" - Illustrated by J. Charles
Wall, Methuen & Co., London. First edition published in 1903. |