Ashbourne Railway Station - History

History

The London and North Western Railway built the Ashbourne Line from Buxton. This utilised part of the Cromford and High Peak Railway to Parsley Hay.

The NSR extended its line to meet it in a new joint station built in 1899 and the earlier station became a goods depot. Unlike the earlier station, which had been of brick and stone, the new one was timber construction throughout, with platforms that would be decidedly slippery when wet. The station was built on a curve and shelter was provided by awnings which extended over the entrance.

From Ashbourne towards Thorpe Cloud the line climbed steeply through Ashbourne Tunnel, at 1 in 60. Southwards towards Clifton Mayfield the terrain was more gentle, following the valley of the River Dove.

After the move to a joint North Staffordshire Railway and London and North Western Railway station, the line became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway during the Grouping of 1923. The station then passed on to the London Midland Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948.

From 1910, Nestle had a creamery in the town, which for a period was contracted to produce Carnation condensed milk. The factory had its own private sidings connected to the station's goods yard, which allowed milk trains to access the facility, and distribute product as far south as London.

It was closed to regular traffic by the British Transport Commission and finally for excursions by the British Railways Board. Contrary to popular belief, regular passenger services ended in 1954, though excursions continued until 1963. Freight continued until October of that year when milk trains ceased, with the track finally being lifted in 1964.