Useful Links
Sustrans: National Cycle Network
Wikipedia: Derby Midland Railway
Local Railway and Canal Bridges
Simulated trip on the Derby Canal
Walking/Cycling on the Cloud Trail
Part of the Cloud Trail runs on the old Midland Railway line which used to connect Derby Midland with Ashby-
Click on a title below to view photographs of the required section of the Cloud Trail or nearby location to the Cloud Trail
Melbourne to the Trent and Mersey Canal
Trent and Mersey to Derby Canal
Swarkestone Road and Weston on Trent railway station
Swarkestone (Lowes) Lock to Shelton Lock
Shelton Lock to London Road, Derby
London Road to Riverside Gardens
Areas connected historically to the Cloud Trail
Departure from Ashby-
Ashby to Worthington
Old Derby to Melbourne Train Timetables
Above is a facsimile of the announcement by the Midland Railway of the new return service that was to introduced from Derby to Melbourne via Chellaston. This was published in the Derby Mercury newspaper on 02/09/1868.
As can be seen, the total journey time was 25 minutes which given the technology of 1868, must have seemed incredibly quick to the passengers.
By 1899, the service had been increased from three to four trains each day and the single track extension to Ashby-
For clarity a facsimiles has been used for the originals but these replicates the capitalisation and punctuation.
Thanks to Chellaston History Group for providing the information which made the production of the facsimiles possible.
Above is a part of the 1899 timetable. To view this in full click on the above image.
Above is a copy of the plans to restore the Derby and Sandiacre Canal. To view these in full click on the above image.
Above is a photograph taken by Ron Buckley at Ashby de la Zouch on Saturday 28 June 1952. This day saw the running of the Stephenson Locomotive Society’s Derbyshire Area Rail Tour, starting at Derby Midland station the train went to Ashby via Chellaston, Melbourne and Worthington before returning to on the same route to Derby. This train is believed to be the last passenger train to leave Ashby railway station. Another rail tour went from Derby to Worthington in the summer of 1971 but this was a rail car not a steam train and by that date, it was no longer possible to reach Ashby.
Fly the Route
To view a fly through of the railway line’s route from Ashby to Derby click on the silhouette of the bird.