A nineteenth century stereoview of Matlock Bath station shows
visitors, undoubtedly day trippers or "excursionists" as
they have no luggage, arriving by train. On the backing card
(not shown here) is written "Matlock Bath Station".
Just beyond the platform, below High Tor, the entrance to
the High Tor tunnel can be seen.
It wasn't just trippers who used the station. In 1871 the
Emperor and Empress of Brazil toured the north and Derbyshire
. They came here by the 5.39p.m. train on Wednesday,9th August,
having travelled from Bakewell in two saloon cars at the
back of the train. A
"loud and lusty cheer" from
the waiting throng announced their arrival[1].
The "down" or "return" platform and
the passenger footbridge, not shown on
the previous image, had both been built. We learn just
how big the platform was from a court case in 1878. It followed
an extremely unfortunate incident, which had dreadful consequences
for some, that happened at the station on Good Friday 1877.
According to one witness, 900 people were on the platform
waiting for the last train of the day and no-one wanted to
be left behind.
"The return platform [to Derby] at Matlock Bath is
exceptionally large, and well adapted to the accommodation
of passengers in large numbers. There is, however, a senseless
custom (which no one who has travelled by one of these trains
could fail to observe) of making for the train as it "slows"
into the station and catching hold of the door-handles so
as to gain priority of occupation for a party who desire
to travel together. Often the doors are opened before the
train stops, and becomes a source of danger to those who
are drawn up on the edge of the platform, and under all these
circumstances passengers seem to lose all self control, and
the "stampede" becomes general[2]".
In this instance, despite the warnings from staff, serious
injuries occurred when a young Derby man, a Mr. Moore, and
others were thrown underneath the train.
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| Enlargement of right hand image. |
View even more about the station by clicking on the images
below:
 Matlock & Matlock
Bath: Inspiration of Poets - T. A. Staton wrote a poem
to mark the Royal visit.
Tourist
Tickets on the Midland Railway, advertisement in Bemroses'
Guide, 1869
Weekend
Fares on the Midland Railway, advertisement in Bemroses' Guide,
1869
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