Midland Railway-Butterley
Ripley, Derbyshire
About Midland Railway-Butterley
Whether you intend your visit to be an hour or two or you wish to stay for a full day, here at the Midland Railway Butterley, there are plenty of things to see and do.
It's a day out for the whole family with model and miniature railways, playground, picnic areas, cafes and a country park as well as heritage steam and diesel locomotives operating and a host of other attractions. Sometimes you can see special visitors, be it a character day, a vintage Steam or historic Diesel Loco.
Take a nostalgic trip on one of the heritage trains, immerse yourself in a heritage railway culture, explore the museums at Swanwick Junction, take a walk in the country park and much more.
The highlight of any visit to Midland Railway Butterley is the Museum at the Swanwick Junction Complex where you alight from your train for a full day out. Every visit is different, with some attractions open on certain days and locomotives and rolling stock being moved.
Butterley Station is the entrance to the Midland Railway – Butterley, where there is a large FREE car park. The station building is the main admission point and as you step through the doors into the Booking Hall you begin your journey back through time. Train tickets are available from the ticket window on the left and the souvenir shop is on your right. As you pass through the Booking Hall, you will find yourself on the station platform, from where you can begin to explore.
Historical note: The station building is a typical Midland Railway two pavilion station and was moved by the Midland Railway Trust from Whitwell in North Derbyshire
Operational Signal Boxes
The Midland Railway – Butterley is home to a unique collection of signal boxes originally built by the Midland Railway Company over a hundred years ago. The boxes are operated by fully trained signalmen who were members of the former Midland Railway Signalman’s Association.They are aiming to preserve the concept of semaphore signalling by keeping the boxes in a good working condition. Three of the signal boxes at the Midland Railway – Butterley, situated at Hammersmith, Swanwick Junction and Butterley Station are operational and are currently used to control trains on the railway using ETB and OTW(OES) regulations. Tyers No. 6 tablet instruments are used throughout.
The ETB section is between Hammersmith and Swanwick with Butterley being a ‘ground frame’ within Hammersmith Station limits. ‘Butterley frame’ is released by tablet under OTW and by lever from the Hammersmith signal box under ETB. This arrangement is, we believe, unique in preservation.
Non-Operational Signal Boxes
The Midland Railway – Butterley is home to a unique collection of signal boxes originally built by the Midland Railway Company over a hundred years ago. The boxes are operated by fully trained signalmen who were members of the former Midland Railway Signalman’s Association.They are aiming to preserve the concept of semaphore signalling by keeping the boxes in a good working condition. Three of the signal boxes at the Midland Railway – Butterley, situated at Hammersmith, Swanwick Junction and Butterley Station are operational and are currently used to control trains on the railway using ETB and OTW(OES) regulations. Tyers No. 6 tablet instruments are used throughout.
The ETB section is between Hammersmith and Swanwick with Butterley being a ‘ground frame’ within Hammersmith Station limits. ‘Butterley frame’ is released by tablet under OTW and by lever from the Hammersmith signal box under ETB. This arrangement is, we believe, unique in preservation.
Disabled Visitors
Disabled visitors and their companions are most welcome. Where a companion is required, admission is half price for the disabled person and half price for one companion on standard running days.
Please email enquiries@midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk for admission prices on Special events.
There are accessible parking spaces in the car park at Butterley and a ramp provides access to the station forecourt.
We have ramps for access to most buildings and to the train. We regret that due to the heritage nature of our carriages visitors who are wheelchair users usually have to travel in the Guard’s Van – our staff will usually make sure that a seat is provided for a companion, family member or friend to travel with the disabled person.
There is a level access between the platforms at Swanwick Junction. Please ask the guard or another member of staff for assistance when using this crossing.
Accessible toilets are available in the station yard at Butterley, in Swanwick Junction Station and close to Johnson’s Buffet at Swanwick Junction.
To find the nearest Changing Places toilet please visit www.changing-places.org and use our postcode: DE5 3QZ to search.
Please note that not all of our paths are surfaced and can be bumpy for wheelchair users.
We strongly recommend that visually impaired persons are accompanied for safety reasons.
Please ask our staff for any additional assistance that you may require – we are here to help.
The Matthew Kirtley Building
The Matthew Kirtley Building is the main exhibition hall for the Midland Railway Trust’s unique museum collection of historic locomotives, carriages and wagons. Here you will find the oldest surviving Midland Railway locomotive, built in Derby in 1866. Other featured exhibits include rare restored vintage carriages dating from 1866 to 1898, two carriages from the Royal Train, one from 1912 and the other from 1956, and restored goods vehicles, but there is much more besides.
Railway signs, station items, including a restored ticket window, platform trolleys and waiting room benches, and railway equipment not normally seen by the travelling public are all waiting to be discovered. Together with photographs from the past there is plenty to explore for both the enthusiast and visitors curious about the past but without a specific interest in railways.
35 Acre Country Park
Why not take a nice stroll through the countryside at the Midland Railway – Butterley. With its wildlife, industrial heritage and views of passing trains, we would definitely recommend it.
A walk through the Country Park will reveal an area that has remained hidden and unspoilt with glimpses of an industrial past. The remains of old collieries, tramways, reservoirs, the Cromford Canal with its Butterley Tunnel and the abandoned village of Grumblethorpe have merged with the natural landscape and are waiting to be re-discovered.
A Range of Wildlife throughout the year you will see changes in the wildlife from bluebells, celandines, trees in full leaf, meadow flowers and birdsong in spring/summer, to autumn leaves, wild fruits, and animals scavenging and fallen leaves in autumn/winter. This is truly a place to relax and unwind.
Swanwick Museum Complex
Open on operational days only is the Swanwick Junction Museum Complex that has something for everyone with plenty to explore and enjoy: West Shed Experience (Railway Museum), Demonstration Signal Box, Victorian Railwayman’s Church, Matthew Kirtley Building and Country Park are always open, plus there many other attractions for the whole family. The Golden Valley Light Railway (GVLR) and Butterley Park Miniature Railway are based here too. Limited refreshments are available from Deeleys Tearoom and there is plenty of space for picnics.
The normal route to visit this important part of the Midland Railway – Butterley is via a trip on a heritage train. On alighting from the train you can either walk through the booking hall of the station building or around the outside of the building and into the museum complex. We usually recommend around 3 hours for your visit.
Facilities
Toilets
Gift Shop
Changing Rooms
Onsite Parking
Accessible Toilets
Baby Changing
Food Available
Wheelchair Friendly
Dog Friendly
Pushchair Friendly
Card Payments Accepted
Opening Times
- Monday, Closed
- Tuesday, Closed
- Wednesday, Closed
- Thursday, Closed
- Friday, Closed
- Saturday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday, 10:00 - 17:00
Please check main website for booking and opening dates for 2025
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (4-16) : £8.00
- Adult (16-18+) : £16.00
- Babies and Toddlers (0-3) : Free
General AdmissionAdults from £10.00Kids (5-16) from £5.00Seniors (60+) from £9.00Family (2 adults, 3 kids) from £25.00Dogs: £1.00
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
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Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 2 - 3 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
Food & Drink Options
Freshly filled sandwiches, cake, chocolate, crisps, hot & cold drinks
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Public Transport
Contact Details
Transport Information
Bus, Train
Verification & Last Updated
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Last Updated: 20:06 06/11/2025
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