Cromford railway station


Cromford railway station is a Grade II listed railway station owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway. It is located in the village of Cromford in Derbyshire, England. The station is on the Derwent Valley Line north of Derby towards Matlock.

Description

The station is unstaffed and served by East Midlands Railway, who operate services westbound to and eastbound to.

History

Originally known as "Cromford Bridge", it was opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway in 1849. This is one of the few stations on the line that has been preserved and is a Grade 2 listed building. It is said to have been designed by G.H.Stokes, son-in-law of Joseph Paxton. It is believed that Stokes also designed Station House, the extremely ornate former Station Master's residence opposite the station on the side of the hill as well as the ornate villa style waiting room, on what was the 'up' platform. According to English Heritage, this is the original station building. The present station building on the opposite platform was added by the Midland Railway at a later date
Willersley Tunnel, long is immediately north of the station.
Following many years of neglect and decline, a long lease on the main station building was purchased by the Arkwright Society, and the building has been restored and improved, re-opening as office space in May 2009. Station House, of which the old Waiting Room is a part, is now self-contained holiday accommodation.
In the year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 journeys from the station had increased by 16.88%.

Incidents

2009 murder

In September 2009, the station was the site of the motiveless murder of a taxi driver, Stuart Ludlam, by gun fanatic, Colin Cheetham.

Popular culture

The disused southbound platform is featured on the single cover of the Oasis song Some Might Say.