Midland Railway-Butterley

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.

Looking for festive fun this holiday season? Check out nearby events on our Christmas Events 2024 page!